One click — that’s all it takes to digitally hold a company hostage.
In recent years, cyberattacks have become more frequent and increasingly sophisticated. Global brands have faced data breaches exposing customer information, internal network disruptions, and complete IT shutdowns that paralyzed their operations. These are all typical signs of a cyberattack.
As October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, recent corporate ransom stories remind us that no company, no matter how powerful, is immune.
In this article, we’ll explore how cyberattacks (cybercriminals) strike, examine real-world ransom cases, and uncover key lessons every business should learn. And if you make it to the end, you’ll find a bonus insight you won’t want to miss.
Cybercrimes 101
Cyberattack (or cybercrime) is defined by Microsoft as “a deliberate attempt by an individual or group to breach, damage, or disrupt computer systems, networks, or digital devices, often for malicious purposes such as data theft, espionage, financial fraud, or system sabotage”.
Cybercriminals have multitudes of ways to take down an organization’s network, but there are 5 typical types of cyberattacks that you should know:
1. Brute-force attacks: in this type of attack, the hacker proceeds to guess the passwords or encryption keys to access the organization’s account or network. If the access was successful, the hacker then decides what to do with the stolen information. Typically, he requests a ransom in exchange for installing malware on the targeted network.
2. DDoS attacks: In this type of attack, the hacker overwhelms the servers or networks with excessive “traffic”. The main goal of this attack is to disrupt or shut down a company’s internal systems and therefore its operations.
3. Malware: In this type of attack, the hacker installs software in the company’s network to gain complete advanced access. This type of access will allow the heist to disable security controls, gain remote access, or install ransomware payloads.
4. Ransomware: In this type of attack, the hacker encrypts a company’s files or data and locks them. He, then, demands payment for decryption.
5. SQL injections: In this type of attack, the hacker inserts into the company’s SQL (Structured Query Language) queries, which are instructions used to manipulate data. This allows the encryptor to access sensitive information and manage the infiltrated database.
In real life, no one is fully shielded from the risk of network infiltration. Around the world, Cybersecurity Agencies have reported a sharp rise in criminal digital activity and two big names, Land Rover and Asahi Group, have closely witnessed it.
Source: 2021 Cybersecurity Ventures – Cybercrime Magazine
Inside Two Corporate Cyber Crises
The carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) suffered a ransomware attack, using the DDoS technique, in early September of this year. The incident targeted critical IT systems, forcing them to shut down completely. As a result, car production was halted, factories closed, and employees were instructed to remain at home until the issue was resolved. The disruption lasted nearly a month before operations gradually resumed. A group calling itself Scattered Lapsu Hunters claimed responsibility for the attack and demanded ransom.
The moral of this story is to always have an updated and secure backup system ready for any crisis. Having offline backups can help companies recover faster without needing to pay the ransom. Remember the golden rule in politics: never negotiate with terrorists. The same applies here: always prepare backup plans, and if you don’t have one, create it before it’s too late.
During the same month, on September 29, the famous Japanese brewing company Asahi Group experienced a data extortion attack that led to the theft of sensitive personal and operational data. The incident caused a temporary shutdown at most of its 30 factories, disrupting everything from beer shipments to accounting systems. As a temporary remedy, the company reverted to “old-school” methods: processing orders using pen, paper, and fax machines. Although the breach mainly affected Asahi’s Japanese operations, it remains a classic example of digital extortion. A Russia-based hacker group known as Qilin claimed responsibility for the attack.
And what have we learned? Sometimes, old methods still work. Going back to basics can keep a business running until its digital defences are restored. Most importantly, staff should be regularly trained to recognize and prevent malware threats because, in the end, awareness is the best firewall.
If there’s one thing Land Rover and the Asahi group taught us, if that investment in cyberthreats awareness is not a cost but an investment in survival. The rise of digital crime reminds us that cybersecurity isn’t just about technology; it’s about awareness and preparation. Whether it’s ransomware or data extortion, companies that plan to recover faster, protect better, and earn lasting trust.
Bonus Insight
To stay one step ahead, here are a few Tech terms to know:
- Cybersecurity => refer to the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks, damage, or unauthorized access. As hackers evolve so should our defences!
- Data Breach => occurs when confidential information is accessed or exposed without authorization. That’s where changing passwords comes in handy. Think of your password like your toothbrush: change it often and never share it.
- Network infiltration => means an unauthorized and often undetected access to an organization’s internal systems. You can picture it as sneaking into a locked library after hours.
- Firewall => a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
- Cookie => a small text file that a website’s server can save on your computer, often used to store information about your visit. Or, in general, it can also refer to a dessert better enjoyed with a cup of milk.
As a final thought, cyberthreats are constantly evolving, but the smallest actions can make a difference.
Stay secure – the next click could change everything.
References:
What is a cyberattack? (n.d.). Microsoft. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from
- Inside the Jaguar Land Rover hack: stalled smart factories, outsourced cybersecurity and supply chain woes. (2025, September 20). The Guardian. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/20/jaguar-land-rover- hack-factories-cybersecurity-jlr
- Government to guarantee 1.5bn JLR loan after cyber shutdown (2025, September 28). BBC. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgl15ykerlro
- How hackers forced brewing giant Asahi back to pen and paper (2025, October 10). BBC. Retrieved October 15, 2025, from