Welcome Back to Brews & Cyber Threats

The blog series where Info Advantage pairs five major cybersecurity threats with five expertly crafted beers from Rohrbach Brewing Company in Rochester. We’re blending practical cybersecurity insights with unforgettable flavors to make even the most serious threats go down smooth.

This week, we’re turning up the intensity with a powerful and unforgiving attack that has crippled businesses of all sizes: ransomware.

There’s no better pairing than Space Kitty, Rohrbach’s bold, double dry-hopped IPA that doesn’t hold back. Like ransomware, it hits fast and hard—making it the perfect metaphor for the kind of breach your business should never face unprepared.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts your data and locks you out of your systems, demanding payment (often in cryptocurrency) in exchange for a decryption key.

These attacks have evolved rapidly. What once targeted individuals now frequently targets small and mid-sized businesses—organizations that often lack the layered defenses of large enterprises but manage sensitive data and critical operations.

The Danger to Your Business

• Downtime Can Be Devastating: Ransomware can shut down your entire operation. In industries like manufacturing, logistics, or healthcare, even a few hours of downtime can cost thousands or more.

• Cost of Recovery Is High: If you choose not to pay the ransom, recovery still requires rebuilding servers, restoring backups, and forensically investigating the breach. The average cost to recover from a ransomware attack was $1.82 million in 2023.

• Paying the Ransom Is No Guarantee: Even if you pay, the decryption tools might not work, and you may still be vulnerable to a second attack.

• Reputation Damage: Clients and partners may lose trust in your ability to protect sensitive information.

Info Advantage’s Advice: The Best Defense is a Good Offense

Don’t let thieves lock you out of your data. Be ready. Info Advantage recommends a multi-layered defense strategy:

• Robust Backup & Disaster Recovery (BDR) – Ensure your data is automatically backed up offsite, and test recovery procedures regularly.

• Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) – Use AI-powered tools that can detect and quarantine ransomware activity in real time.

• Patch Management – Outdated software is a common entry point. Keep your systems updated to close known vulnerabilities.

• Security Awareness Training – Ransomware often begins with a user clicking the wrong link. Train your team to think before they click.

• Email Security – Many ransomware attacks begin via phishing. Combine email filtering with internal education for stronger defenses.

Space Kitty Double IPA

Rohrbach’s Space Kitty is unapologetically bold—an unfiltered, double dry-hopped New England IPA with intense citrus and tropical fruit notes. It’s a beer that commands your attention from the first sip.

Like ransomware, Space Kitty is not subtle. It hits hard, leaves a lasting impression, and reminds you why preparation matters. One careless move online, just like one heavy pour, can change everything.

This pairing works because it reflects the nature of ransomware: powerful, fast, and unforgiving if underestimated.

Don’t Get Locked Out!

Ransomware attacks can be devastating for small businesses and nearly impossible to recover from. Fight back with the right tools and the right team.

Is your data safe, or are you at risk of being locked out?

Schedule a free consultation with Info Advantage to assess your ransomware readiness and build a strategy to keep your data, operations, and reputation protected.

Request Your Free Ransomware Risk Assessment

Next Week: BEC Scams & Raspberry Cider

Next up in our Brews & Cyber Threats series: we’ll explore Business Email Compromise (BEC) and pair it with Rohrbach’s Intergalactic Raspberry Cider—a deceptively sweet brew with unexpected consequences.

Our Cybersecurity & Craft Beer Tasting Event is coming this October at Rohrbach Brewing Company. We’ll be sampling the beers from this series, talking security strategy, and raising a glass to safer business.

Spots are limited—reserve your seat here!