Ransomware is currently the biggest cyber security concern for many businesses, and the danger of an attack is continuing to grow. There has been a 600% growth in new ransomware families since December 2015, according to a recent Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) guide, which also reported that ransomware crime cost businesses an estimated $1 billion (approximately £800 million) last year.
This should be particularly worrying for any business that stores, transmits or processes payment card data. Given that many hackers are after money, gaining access to payment card information is their most direct route to their goal.
This is why point-of-sale (PoS) systems are such a common target. They are essential for many businesses to operate, and whether or not the victim organisation pays the ransom, the hackers get what they want.
