What is ransomware? Ransomware remains one of the most disruptive and costly threats facing UK organisations today. As highlighted in the Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2025 (MDDR 2025), the frequency, sophistication, and impact of ransomware attacks continue to rise.
For B2B organisations operating in the Microsoft ecosystem, building cyber resilience against ransomware is not just about prevention – it’s about ensuring rapid recovery and business continuity when, not if, an attack occurs.
The Ransomware reality.
The UK is a prime target for ransomware and phishing attacks, which are often connected.
But how are ransomware and phishing attacks related? Phishing emails are one of the most common ways attackers deliver ransomware, tricking users into clicking malicious links or opening infected attachments.
Attackers are also leveraging AI to increase the scale and sophistication of their operations. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has reported record numbers of nationally significant incidents, many of which have resulted in operational disruption, data loss, and reputational damage.
According to Microsoft, organisations with robust ransomware resilience strategies are far less likely to pay ransoms or suffer prolonged outages.
Key Statistics from the Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2025:
- 52% of all cyberattacks are financially motivated. Hackers are mostly using ransomware attacks and extortion to make money.
- In 8 out of 10 cases Microsoft handled, attackers grabbed sensitive data before locking systems with ransomware.
Ransomware remains a big issue.
How to build cyber resilience against ransomware.
Learning how to prevent ransomware and extortion is more than just blocking attacks – it’s about ensuring your organisation can withstand and recover from them.
We recommend a multi-layered security approach, combining advanced detection, immutable backups, and comprehensive incident response planning.
1. Immutable backups.
Immutable backups are backups that cannot be altered or deleted by attackers. By implementing immutable backup solutions and regularly testing restore procedures, organisations can ensure that critical data is always recoverable, even if production systems are compromised.
Recommendation:
- Implement immutable backups for all critical systems.
- Test restore procedures regularly to ensure data can be recovered quickly and reliably.
2. Rapid restore capabilities.
Minimising downtime is crucial. Rapid restore capabilities enable organisations to recover from ransomware attacks with minimal disruption to operations.
Recommendation:
- Validate that your backup solutions meet strict service level agreements (SLAs) for restore times.
- Regularly rehearse disaster recovery scenarios to ensure readiness.
- Test against qualifiable RPO and RTO measures.
3. Tested incident response plans.
A comprehensive, rehearsed incident response (IR) plan ensures that your team knows exactly what to do in the event of a ransomware attack. This reduces confusion, speeds up recovery, and limits the impact of the attack.
Recommendation:
- Maintain and rehearse a comprehensive IR plan.
- Assign clear roles and responsibilities for incident response.
- Conduct tabletop exercises to simulate ransomware scenarios.
4. Advanced detection and response.
Early detection is key to containing ransomware before it spreads. Microsoft Defender XDR provides advanced detection and response capabilities, enabling organisations to identify and contain ransomware attacks in their early stages.
Recommendation:
- Use Defender XDR & Sentinel to monitor for ransomware indicators and automate containment actions.
- Integrate detection tools with incident response workflows for rapid action.
Microsoft solutions for Ransomware attacks.
- Defender XDR & Sentinel: Advanced detection and response for ransomware and other threats.
- Azure Backup: Provides immutable backup options and rapid restore capabilities.
- Security Copilot: AI-driven automation for incident response and recovery.
How to prevent Ransomware in 2025.
Ransomware is inevitable – but business disruption doesn’t have to be. By investing in cyber and ransomware resilience, UK organisations can turn a potential disaster into a manageable incident.
The combination of immutable backups, rapid restore, advanced detection, and rehearsed incident response is the key to ensuring business continuity in the age of cyber extortion.
So, is your organisation ready to withstand a ransomware attack? Let ANS, Microsoft’s UK Partner of the Year 2025, help you take control.
Find out more about our Managed Security Services.
