Lincoln says goodbye and attackers say hello

Cyber crime isn’t a “them” problem, it’s an “us” problem, but to be more specific, it’s a “you” problem. Over 40 percent of cyber attacks targeted small businesses, and this is probably due to the fact that small businesses (roughly 86%) are ill prepared to defend against these attacks. Many companies assume that they’re too small or their business isn’t directly reliant on technology or the internet. But with one wrong click, many businesses are finding themselves locked out of important data, basic day-to-day functions and operations, or worse, without the funds to continue business. 

After 157 years of providing students with a higher education, Lincoln College located in Illinois, shut its doors in May of 2022. Lincoln College has a predominantly Black student body, and if you look back on what 157 years has been like for both Black institutions and the Black demographic, it’s a shame that the straw that broke the camel’s back was a cyber attack.

For full disclosure, the pandemic also played a role in this decision, but like most other institutions and businesses that suffered, Lincoln College was looking forward to getting things back on track. The ransomware attack put a halt on the college’s ability to conduct life sustaining business, “All systems required for recruitment, retention, and fundraising efforts were inoperable.” 

Since the pandemic, cyber criminals have not only ramped up their attacks but also expanded who they attack; they are constantly looking to exploit the most vulnerable and easily accessible. Let’s be clear, if a college that was founded in 1865 is at risk of a cyber attack, there’s a strong chance your organization is in their sights as well. Betterchips Consulting can’t always help undo what damage has been done, but we can help prevent the attacks from happening in the first place. 

Betterchips Consulting can help your group update policy and procedures, as well as insure hardware, software, and compliance requirements are all up to date. If you should find your company the victim of an attack, we can help resolve and remedy the situation.