July 09, 2026 - 111 views
Businesses across North Wales are being urged to strengthen their cyber security as police warn that ransomware remains one of the biggest online threats facing organisations.
North Wales Police, alongside the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit and cybercrime teams from across Wales, are highlighting the risks posed by criminals who use ransomware to lock organisations out of their own systems and demand payment to restore access.
Police say the true scale of the problem is likely to be much higher than reported, with some incidents going unreported.
A successful ransomware attack can bring operations to a standstill, prevent access to important files and put sensitive information at risk.
Tarian and the Welsh police cybercrime teams are urging businesses to take four key steps to improve their resilience:
Back up data properly – Organisations are being advised to follow the 3-2-1 backup approach: keeping three copies of data, using two different types of storage, with at least one copy stored offline or securely in the cloud. Police also stress that backups should be regularly tested to ensure they can actually be restored.
Use multi-factor authentication – Enabling an extra layer of security on accounts can help prevent criminals gaining access through stolen or guessed passwords.
Train staff to spot threats – Police say many ransomware attacks begin with phishing emails designed to trick employees into clicking malicious links or sharing login details. Regular training can help create a stronger “human firewall”.
Have a response plan – Organisations are being encouraged to know exactly what they will do if they are attacked, including who is responsible for isolating systems and contacting cyber security experts.
Police are also reminding businesses not to pay ransom demands if they fall victim to an attack.
They say paying criminals does not guarantee that systems or data will be restored and can encourage further cybercrime.
A spokesperson for the campaign said: “Ransomware is one of the biggest cyber threats facing organisations in Wales and it’s often underreported, meaning the real impact is far greater than what we see.
“A single successful attack can lock down your systems, halt your operations, and threaten your data.”
Businesses are being encouraged to review their cyber security arrangements now rather than waiting until they become a victim.
The warning forms part of a wider effort by Welsh police forces to help organisations protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated online crime.
