The Trustwave’s SpiderLabs’ 2025 Risk Radar Report: Technology Sector highlights a persistent and evolving threat landscape, emphasizing that while the tech industry leads in digital offerings, it often lags in information security.
Transitioning from a reactive to a proactive cybersecurity posture is no longer an option, but a necessity.
Here are key proactive measures Trustwave SpiderLabs recommends in the report that technology organizations, and indeed all businesses, should adopt to mitigate risks and build long-term resilience against sophisticated threats like ransomware:
1. Inventory, Assess, and Patch Relentlessly
A foundational step is to maintain a regular, ongoing inventory of your networks. This includes detailing operating systems (OS) and their versions, open ports, and installed applications. Once a comprehensive inventory is established, prioritize vulnerability assessments, focusing on your most valuable or publicly exposed systems.
For instance, the report highlights that over 20,000 hosts were found using legacy Windows operating systems (Windows 2012, 2008, and 2007) which are no longer receiving mainstream updates, making them critically vulnerable to ransomware and exploit frameworks like EternalBlue.
Therefore, setting up an agile patching cycle to promptly install security updates is paramount for maintaining security.
2. Strengthen Identity and Access Controls
Robust identity and access management are crucial, Trustwave SpiderLabs noted. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) should be enforced across all systems, particularly for remote access tools such as RDP, VPNs, admin dashboards, and cloud platforms.
Furthermore, the team suggested implementing least-privilege and zero trust policies to ensure users only have the minimum necessary access levels. Regularly auditing user roles, especially those with elevated privileges or third-party access, is also vital to prevent misuse.
3. Implement Robust Backups and Business Continuity
The threat of ransomware, which can cause operational disruptions and financial losses, makes a strong backup strategy and an incident response plan non-negotiable. The report dives deeply into the many threat actors behind the ransomware attacks striking the tech sector, but there are ways to stay as safe as possible.
Organizations must maintain encrypted, offline, and immutable backups of all critical systems (e.g., PMS, POS, HR, financial). Equally important is to regularly test backup restoration procedures under simulated attack scenarios.
Developing and rehearsing business continuity plans for cyber-related disruptions, including ransomware attacks and data loss, ensures that operations can resume swiftly even after a compromise.
4. Secure Third-Party and Supply Chain Relationships
Anyone who says the technology sector is complicated is massively understating the situation. Not only is each company generally an amalgamation of systems, networks, and software themselves are often suppliers for other equally if not more complicated entities positioning them as potential entry points in a supply chain attack.
This means securing relationships is critical. Conduct thorough vendor risk assessments on all vendors and service providers, especially those with access to sensitive data or core infrastructure. Ensure that cybersecurity obligations, including notification timelines and incident handling procedures, are explicitly included in all vendor contracts.
Crucially, Trustwave SpiderLabs says monitoring for dark web leaks involving suppliers and take immediate action if credentials or data related to them are exposed. The report notes threat actors openly advertising access to critical systems and data, like Gitlab, on the dark web, which could lead to supply chain attacks.
5. Raise Internal Awareness and Training
Employees are often the first line of defense, but also a common entry point for attackers, with phishing being a predominant initial access vector. Conduct regular cybersecurity training for all employees, tailored to their specific roles.
To build awareness of real-world threats, run phishing simulations and social engineering drills. Educate teams on the implications of leaked credentials, weak passwords, and using public Wi-Fi.
6. Monitor the Threat Landscape and Emerging Threats
The report stresses the need to stay informed as a key component to any proactive defense. Subscribe to industry-specific threat intelligence feeds and regularly review vulnerabilities relevant to your technology systems. Implement dark web monitoring tools to identify if your organization or its domains appear in breach data or access markets and consider threat hunting.
Participating in information-sharing communities, such as ISACs or technology-specific cyber alliances, can also provide valuable insights into emerging threats. With new groups like Monti, Safeplay, Hellcat, Nightspire, and Devman emerging, ransomware activity is unlikely to decrease anytime soon.
By consistently implementing these fundamental best practices, technology organizations can significantly elevate their security posture, better protecting themselves and their downstream clients from the ever-present threat of ransomware and other cyberattacks. This allows them to focus on what they do best: delivering cutting-edge technology to the world.
