When ransomware crippled fuel giant Colonial Pipeline in 2021, it wasn’t just the company that suffered—it was the entire East Coast. Gas prices surged and the ripple effects touched millions.
The attack, orchestrated by the Russian-linked group DarkSide, exposed a harsh truth and nearly 100 GB of data: critical infrastructure and everyday businesses alike are vulnerable to ransomware threats. This incident underscores the risk that ransomware can pose to critical national infrastructure and every business and government agency.
The Growing Risk of Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware groups like DarkSide operate under a “Ransomware-as-a-Service” model, allowing other cybercriminals to rent their tools and techniques. This means your organization doesn’t need to be a giant oil pipeline to become a target — just being in the wrong industry can be enough.
According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), ransomware groups are actively targeting sectors such as:
No matter your size, if you’re in one of the top targeted industries, ransomware is a very real threat. Over the past few years alone, the news has been filled with stories of malicious attacks that have sabotaged unwitting businesses and government agencies.
The average ransomware payout exceeds $300,000, which doesn’t include recovery costs, legal fees, downtime, or reputational damage. That’s why there’s no time like the present to protect yourself with routine network penetration testing.
Why Ransomware Penetration Testing Is Critical
So how do you prepare for a ransomware attack before it happens? That’s where ransomware penetration testing, or “pen tests,” comes in. Pen testing simulates real-world attacks on your systems to uncover and fix vulnerabilities before cybercriminals exploit them. Here are four key reasons to make penetration testing part of your cybersecurity strategy:
1. Reduce Downtime, Recovery Costs and Risk
The average data breach costs organizations $3.86 million, according to the Ponemon Institute, and that figure climbs with ransomware. Whether you’ve paid the ransom (or not), you must deal with the added costs and hassle. This may include legal fees, regulatory fines, remediation fees, tarnished brand, sullied reputation, customer protection programs, lost sales, class action law suits, opportunities lost due to bad publicity, and customer churn.
And downtime? Getting all systems back up and running smoothly might take some time. This is why penetration testing helps you identify weak points in your network before attackers do, allowing you to fix them proactively. This reduces your exposure, minimizes potential downtime, and protects against financial and reputational fallout.
2. Prioritize Risks and Strengthen Your Security Posture
Wouldn’t you like to see the whole picture of your network security health? A well-executed pen test gives you a complete view of your internal and external network vulnerabilities. It helps you prioritize risks, understand potential entry points, and apply the right defenses.
Instead of reacting after an attack, anticipating the risks, fixing vulnerabilities on the spot, and implementing remediation strategies will help your organization build highly effective defense mechanisms.
3. Build Toward Security Maturity
What’s the difference between a routine penetration test and a real-life hack? The former is conducted in a safe and controlled manner and is meant to inform the steps you take toward security maturity.
Penetration testing doesn’t just uncover weaknesses, it moves your security strategy forward to not only manage risk better, but to create additional value for your organization to stay competitive in your industry. Over time, this builds trust with customers and stakeholders, demonstrates compliance, and positions your organization as a responsible, security-focused leader.
4. Meet Industry Regulations and Standards
Pen tests can help you satisfy the many compliance and security requirements that are usually part of every industry. Whether it’s PCI compliance for credit card payments, HIPAA (mainly for the healthcare industry), ISO 27001, or FISMA, most industries require regular security assessments. Routine pen testing ensures you stay compliant, avoid fines, and demonstrate due diligence in protecting sensitive data.
Get Started With Ransomware Penetration Testing Today
If you’re not already performing routine ransomware penetration testing, now is the time to start. The threats are growing more sophisticated—and more frequent. Wondering what the first step should be?
Find a certified penetration testing professional or team like AISN’s cybersecurity experts. We can help you get started with a custom pen test, explain the process, and provide a detailed remediation plan to strengthen your defenses. We’ll also guide you on how often you should be testing based on your industry and risk profile.
Don’t wait for a ransomware attack to reveal your vulnerabilities. Contact AISN today and take the first step toward a stronger, more secure future.