A Third of Companies Would Consider Paying Hackers

A Third of Companies Would Consider Paying Hackers

Several companies are opting for short-term reactive cybersecurity despite high profile ransomware attacks.

A third of organizations would choose to pay a ransom instead of investing more in security according to a survey by NTT Security.

Decision makers at organizations around the work were asked if they would consider paying a ransom by a hacker rather than invest money in security measures because it would be cheaper. On average, a third of the surveyed said yes. An additional 16 percent said they didn't know what they would do.

According to the survey, organizations in Norway, France, Germany and Austria are most likely to give into a ransom over investing in security, with 40 percent of firms stating they'd consider taking this approach.

Thirty-five percent of U.S. firms said they would consider giving into a hacker's ransom. The country that would be least likely to choose the course of action was found to be the U.K., but the number still show about one in five of U.K. organizations would rather pay the ransom.

All this comes in the wake of high-profile ransomware attacks like WannaCry and NotPetya, which both demonstrated how vulnerable organizations can be to cyber attacks.

"While it is encouraging that many organizations are prepared to take a long-term, proactive stance, there are still signs that many are still prepared to take a short-term, reactive approach to security in order to drive down costs," said Kai Grunwitz, Senior VP for EMEA at NTT Security.

Those taking a "wait and see" approach to cybersecurity are taking risks on a number of levels: there information is open for the taking and if they do decide to play the hacker's game, there is no guarantee the hacker will keep up their side of the deal.  

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

New Products

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.