Why the Word ‘Attack’ Feels Wrong
When ransomware incidents occur, both media and companies report that they “suffered a cyber attack.”
But is this terminology really accurate?
The word ‘attack’ conjures images of one-sided aggression from external forces. It sounds like an unavoidable disaster.
Yet the reality is quite different.
Who Actually Triggers the Infection?
Let’s examine ransomware infection pathways objectively.
- Employees open suspicious email attachments
- They click on dubious links
- They continue using weak passwords
- They ignore security warnings and execute software
The trigger for infection is pulled by people inside the organization.
Criminals are merely setting traps. Whether those traps succeed depends entirely on the organization’s decisions and actions.
The Harm Caused by ‘Attack’ Analysis
What happens when we treat incidents as external attacks?
Accountability becomes ambiguous. The excuse “it was unavoidable” gains traction.
Internal management systems and training deficiencies get overlooked. Organizations become satisfied with merely deploying technical defense systems.
But in reality, even the latest security software becomes useless if employees carelessly open files.
Shifting Perspective—Viewing as ‘Defense Failure’
Ransomware incidents should be analyzed as “defense failures.”
This perspective changes where we focus our countermeasures.
- Is employee training sufficient in quality and frequency?
- Is access privilege management appropriate?
- Do we have monitoring systems to detect abnormal activity?
- Are incident response procedures properly established?
We turn our attention from external threats to internal vulnerabilities.
Transforming to Effective Countermeasures
When we recognize defense failure, countermeasures become clear.
Implement continuous employee training. Regularly raise awareness with simulated phishing emails. Enforce multi-factor authentication thoroughly. Restrict access to critical data to the minimum necessary.
These are all elements controllable within the organization.
We cannot predict attackers’ movements, but we can design our own defense systems.
Words Change Thinking, Thinking Changes Countermeasures
“We were attacked” versus “We failed to defend.”
This difference in wording seems small, but it fundamentally transforms organizational attitude.
From victim mentality to stakeholder mentality. From focusing on external factors to focusing on internal improvement.
Ransomware is not an unavoidable disaster. With proper preparation and continuous improvement, the risk can be significantly reduced.
The problem isn’t outside—it’s inside. This recognition is the first step toward genuine security countermeasures.