FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. and COLUMBIA, Md., July 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As point-of-sale (POS) malware continues to pummel retailers and brands, ransomware attacks are aggressively increasing in scope and frequency around the globe.
If cybercriminals put the two trends together, they can impact most or even all locations of large chains by locking up the POS system itself—the mission-critical nerve center of payment card-accepting merchants and service providers—while holding the company hostage until a ransom is paid.
Now, any business can find out its risk level and measure the impact of POS ransomware with an online POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment, offered at no charge from Netsurion, a leading provider of managed data and network security services for multi-location businesses, and security information and event management (SIEM) leader, EventTracker.
To date, the primary motivation of POS attacks has been to steal credit card data that can be sold on the black market for $5 to $30 per account, depending on the data’s value. However, all payment card-accepting organizations need to anticipate that criminals might switch to POS ransomware, attracted to the possibility they can receive more money, more quickly by holding a company virtually hostage with a new attack vector. One for which few merchant organizations are prepared.
“If ransomware attackers turn their attention to the already heavily targeted POS systems, and choose instead to hold a merchant hostage by preventing them from making transactions, victims could bleed millions of dollars in lost revenue daily until they recover the function of the POS systems,” said Netsurion and EventTracker Global CISO John Christly. “With the POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment, companies can immediately see just how at-risk they are against potential ransomware threats, and what specifically they need to do to ensure they are protected.”
The POS Ransomware Risk Self-Assessment can be accessed at no charge from both Netsurion and EventTracker. The online app provides:
- The risk level for ransomware, and other malware, and what factors could escalate it
- An estimate of how long the business may be down if ransomware at the POS is encountered
- An estimated total revenue loss to show the real, concrete impact that ransomware can have
- Customized POS ransomware protection recommendations that are emailed and can be shared with management
- ROI guidance to help security pros evaluate recommended security measures
Netsurion and EventTracker are committed to equipping businesses with the knowledge and tools necessary to protect their brands, bottom-line, and customers. In addition to providing the self-assessment, Netsurion and EventTracker are hosting a POS ransomware educational webinar, in which Netsurion and EventTracker’s global CISO will present a detailed explanation of the threat, the potential impact, and recommended solutions.
The webinar will take place on Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. CT. To register and receive a first-look at the companies’ upcoming POS ransomware whitepaper, visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5176067918608210179.
Tweet this: .@Netsurion + EventTracker (@LogTalk) offer free #POS #Ransomware self-assessment web app http://bit.ly/2sXXBx9
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About Netsurion
Netsurion is a managed security service provider specializing in the protection of multi-location businesses’ information, payment systems, and Wi-Fi networks from data breaches, network outages, and ever-evolving cyberthreats. Our new service offering – SIEM-at-the-Edge – is powered by our subsidiary, EventTracker, which helps deliver comprehensive security benefits to “edge” locations that normally would not have the means to leverage such a solution. Netsurion’s award-winning remote network security services and PCI compliance solutions help keep businesses of any size secure. Any sized branch or remote office, franchise, or sole proprietor operation can use Netsurion without the costs of onsite support. The company serves the retail, hospitality, healthcare, legal, and insurance sectors. www.netsurion.com. Twitter: @Netsurion.
About EventTracker
EventTracker’s advanced security solutions protect enterprises and small businesses from data breaches and insider fraud, and streamline regulatory compliance. EventTracker’s platform comprises SIEM, vulnerability scanning, intrusion detection, behavior analytics, a HoneyNet deception network and other defense-in-depth capabilities within a single management platform. The company complements its state-of-the-art technology with 24/7 managed services from its global security operations center (SOC) to ensure its customers achieve desired outcomes—safer networks, better endpoint security, earlier detection of intrusion, and relevant and specific threat intelligence. The company serves the retail, hospitality, healthcare, legal, banking and financial services, utilities, and government sectors.
EventTracker is a division of Netsurion, a leader in remotely-managed IT security services that protect multi-location businesses’ information, payment systems, and on-premise public and private Wi-Fi networks. www.eventtracker.com. Twitter: @LogTalk.