In today’s cyber landscape, simply having backups is no longer a differentiator. But when ransomware hits, many organisations are shocked to find that their back-up strategy falls short where it matters most: recovery speed.
The problem isn’t that the data is gone; it’s that it takes far too long to bring it back online. And in a crisis, every hour of downtime can do more damage than the ransomware itself.
The long road back from an attack
Despite back-up protocols, recovery from ransomware is often slow, complex, and frustrating. According to SafeBrowse, businesses experience an average of 21 days of downtime after an attack. That’s not because recovery is impossible; it’s because traditional methods are labour intensive. IT teams must locate a clean version of the data, transfer large amounts of information, reconfigure affected systems, and restore normal operations. This process often feels like rebuilding from scratch.
Most back-ups are created once per day, which can leave wide gaps in data availability. If ransomware has been lurking undetected, even recent back-ups might be compromised. The result is a tedious, high stakes game of trial and error and by the time systems are fully functional again, the damage to the business is often irreversible.
Downtime is the real disaster
While ransom demands tend to dominate headlines, they rarely represent the full financial impact of an attack. A recent study estimates that the average ransomware incident costs $2.7 million, a figure that includes revenue loss, idle staff, reputational harm, and the sheer cost of recovery. These losses accumulate over time. With each passing day, trust erodes, opportunities are missed, and internal operations grind to a halt. The longer a company stays down, the harder the recovery becomes not just technically, but operationally and emotionally.
Snapshots enable faster smarter recovery
To overcome the limitations of traditional back-up systems, many organisations are turning to snapshot based recovery. Snapshots are point in time captures of data that can be restored with exceptional speed, often in minutes. Unlike back-ups that require full restoration and rebuilding, snapshots allow teams to instantly revert systems to a clean state from before the attack occurred.
Modern snapshot solutions are often immutable, meaning they cannot be modified or deleted by malware. This makes them exceptionally resilient to tampering, even if the attackers gain deep access to the system. Because snapshots can be taken multiple times throughout the day, they offer far more up to date recovery points and reduce the risk of significant data loss.
Recovery speed is business resilience
In ransomware recovery, speed is more than a convenience; it is a competitive advantage. Organisations using snapshot technology often recover within hours instead of weeks. That speed can preserve customer relationships, protect brand reputation, and ensure regulatory compliance. In highly sensitive sectors like healthcare, finance, and government, the ability to rapidly restore critical services is not optional; it is essential.
Recovery time is not just an IT metric; it is a reflection of how well an organisation is equipped to withstand and respond to disruption. Fast recovery means less uncertainty, more confidence, and fewer long term consequences.
Planning turns tools into outcomes
Technology alone does not guarantee success. Recovery must be planned, tested, and refined over time. A strong ransomware response strategy includes clearly defined roles, prioritised systems, and regular exercises that simulate a real world attack. Too often, recovery plans exist only on paper and the first time they are used is during an actual emergency. That is a recipe for confusion and delay.
Practice reveals gaps. Rehearsals build muscle memory. Organisations that treat ransomware recovery as an ongoing process rather than a one time checklist are better prepared to act quickly and decisively under pressure.
Protect what protects you
A recovery solution is only effective if it remains out of reach from attackers. That is why isolating back-up and snapshot infrastructure from the main network is crucial. Whether it is through secure cloud environments, logically segmented storage, or physically air gapped systems, organisations must ensure their last line of defence is shielded from compromise.
Emerging technologies like AI driven anomaly detection can also provide early warnings of unusual activity in backup environments. These tools enhance visibility and give security teams the time they need to respond before an incident spirals out of control.
Recovery defines ransomware readiness
Ransomware preparedness is no longer just about protecting data; it is about ensuring that operations can be restored rapidly and effectively. Traditional back-up strategies were not designed for the speed and complexity of today’s attacks. By embracing snapshot technology and integrating it into a well practiced response plan, organisations can reduce recovery time from weeks to hours.
In the end, the question is not whether ransomware will strike, but how long it will take to recover. And in that moment, speed is not just helpful, it is everything.
Gal Naor is CEO of StorONE.
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