Cybersecurity readiness against ransomware attacks is critically under-prioritized among small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), posing severe risks to their financials, data, and integrity. This project aims to enhance ransomware readiness within this vulnerable sector by implementing a comprehensive Cybersecurity Ransomware Readiness Toolkit and Vulnerability review. The study begins with an initial survey to assess current cybersecurity practices and awareness levels regarding ransomware within participating SMBs. Subsequently, a detailed Nessus scan diagnoses the existing network vulnerabilities from those SMBs. The core of this project revolves around developing and deploying a toolkit that includes preventative measures, educational resources, and practical cybersecurity tools designed to fortify SMBs against ransomware threats, with a Vulnerability review that gives a description, remediation steps, and resources to mitigate the vulnerabilities found in the Nessus scan. Post-implementation, a second survey, and Nessus scan evaluate the toolkit and review the effectiveness and the changes in the cybersecurity posture of the SMB participating. This project collaborates with the University of North Carolina Wilmington Cyber Clinic and the Carolina Cyber Center of Montreat College to raise awareness and significantly improve the cybersecurity readiness of SMBs against ransomware.

Recommended Citation: Choquette C., Karabacak B., Stoker G., Alamleh H., Clark U., (2024). Ransomware Readiness for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses. UNCW MS CSIS Proceedings. V. 18 , N. 16 .