Table of Contents
Ransomware attacks are dominating headlines, with Kaspersky reporting a 30% global increase. While the financial losses and operational disruptions caused by these attacks are undeniable, a hidden cost is emerging – and it is taking a severe psychological toll on individuals caught in the crossfire.
Studies are revealing a disturbing link between ransomware incidents and a rise in mental, emotional, and physical health issues among victims. This goes beyond financial damage and data breaches. It’s a full-fledged cybersecurity threat with devastating human costs.
Research by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) paints a grim picture, where infosec professionals have reported stress-related illnesses, including heart attacks and hospitalizations especially after ransomware attacks.
These are not isolated incidents; continue reading to discover the ripple effects of ransomware attacks felt by employees across various sectors.
The Devastating Ripple Effect and Three Layers of Harm
Ransomware attacks are often portrayed as purely financial crimes, focusing on the immediate ransom demands and lost revenue.
But a groundbreaking paper, The Scourge of Ransomware: Victim Insights on Harms to Individuals, Organisations and Society, paints a far more disturbing picture. It reveals a cascading effect of harm that extends far beyond the initial attack, impacting individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.
RUSI conducted the research by directly interviewing victims, providing a unique perspective on the true human cost of ransomware.
Their findings categorize the impact into three distinct layers, each with its own set of devastating consequences.
Source: The Scourge of Ransomware: Victim Insights on Harms to Individuals, Organisations and Society
- First-order harms represent the direct consequences experienced by both businesses and individuals. The impact on businesses can be broken down into four categories: physical or digital harm, reputational harm, financial loss, and additional financial burdens.
- Second-order harms deal with the indirect consequences that ripple outwards from the initial attack. Businesses can experience disruptions in their supply chains due to vulnerabilities in other companies. For individuals, these harms can include delays in benefit payments, serious mental issues, and many others.
- Third-order harms represent the broadest impact, affecting society and national security as a whole. These include economic harms, national security concerns, loss of trust, and loss of productivity.
Source: The Scourge of Ransomware: Victim Insights on Harms to Individuals, Organisations and Society
The study emphasizes the difficulty of quantifying the full cost of third-order societal harm. However, the research makes it clear that the impact of ransomware attacks goes far beyond the headlines and finances. The invisible wounds inflicted on individuals and the erosion of trust within society are a silent epidemic demanding our attention.
How Ransomware Exploits Our Fears
Ransomware attacks have become a chilling reality of our digital age. Businesses are crippled, data is held hostage, and headlines blare about the millions lost. But beneath the financial turmoil lies a hidden cost, a silent epidemic plaguing the victims – the psychological toll.
Research conducted by De Montfort University has found that three of the key emotional triggers that a majority of attackers leverage are scarcity, authority, and liking.
Moreover, another research suggests ransomware attacks exploit a fundamental human vulnerability: loss aversion. The study further explores cognitive, personality, and evolutionary psychology, highlighting how individual neural characteristics influence susceptibility.
Ehab Youssef, a licensed clinical psychologist, shared with PureVPN the immediate psychological impact:
“The effects of not paying can be devastating, especially when we’re talking about deeply personal things like the publication of intimate photos or personal information that can be career-ending. People have even committed suicide because of the public humiliation of this nature. It’s not something to joke about, which is why it’s so deeply important to properly secure your assets and information.”
Sead Fadilpašić, a cybersecurity writer at Restore Privacy stated,”When someone falls victim to a ransomware attack, one of the immediate reactions is often a sense of violation and helplessness.” He further added, “Clients have described feeling as though their personal space has been invaded, leading to heightened anxiety and stress.”
The aftermath of a ransomware attack is profound and multifaceted, where most patients suffer from depression, stress, sleep issues, and many other emotional and psychological effects. Most probably, the sense of violation highlighted by Ehab and Sage Journals research is a significant factor in the psychological and emotional distress.
The Psychological Toll on Employees
Adding a layer of evidence to the human cost, research conducted by organizational psychologist Inge van der Beijl of Northwave found a particularly concerning statistic.
Northwave’s research revealed that a staggering 1 in 7 employees experiences trauma symptoms months after a ransomware attack. This highlights the significant impact these attacks can have on the mental well-being of those directly involved.
Source: Northwave – After The Crisis Comes The Blow – The Mental Impact Of Ransomware Attacks
The report also highlights the major psychological and emotional issues faced by the victims after the ransomware attack, and among them, the highest issue (71.4%) reported trouble sleeping.
Besides this, Shane McEvoy, MD of Flycast Media, an award winning digital marketing agency, told PureVPN that, “Many victims struggle with self-blame, questioning if they could have done something to prevent the attack.” He further added, “This combination of fear, anxiety, and guilt can be devastating, underscoring the profound impact of ransomware on mental health.”
The Human Cost – Beyond Individuals
The impact of ransomware extends far beyond the initial victim.
A recent IBM study Cybersecurity Incident Responders reveals a troubling trend, with 81% of respondents reporting that ransomware attacks have intensified the psychological demands of their work.
It’s not just about fixing systems – it’s about managing the emotional fallout for both responders and those affected by the attack. According to USA Today, in extreme cases, victims experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Joni Ogle, CEO of Transcend Recovery Community, while talking to PurePVN emphasized the breadth of the human cost, “Ransomware does more than encrypt data; it invades the personal lives of its victims, leaving a trail of psychological distress.”
This invasion can manifest as anxiety, a sense of violation, fear, and trauma. Imagine the doctor whose patients’ health information is compromised, or the company forced to lay off employees due to a shutdown.
Kristie Tse, founder and therapist at Uncover Mental Health Counseling added, “Ransomware can have profound emotional and psychological impacts on individuals. Anxiety and fear often surface immediately, as victims worry about the loss of sensitive data and financial consequences.” She further added, “This stress can lead to persistent worry, affecting sleep patterns and overall mental well-being.”
These are the human stories, the invisible wounds left by ransomware.
Reputational Harm
Reputational harm is a significant concern for organizations that fall victim to ransomware attacks. Fear of bad press and a loss of trust from customers can be a major blow.
According to Halcyon News, reputational harm may not be as severe, especially if the attack is managed quickly and effectively, with minimal data loss or disruption to services.
Shifting the Focus: Prioritizing Human Well-being
Our current approach to ransomware focuses heavily on technical solutions, system recovery, and financial losses. This paints an incomplete picture.
Steve Carleton, Chief Clinical Officer at Porch Light Health, emphasizes the need for a shift: “Organizations have to shift their focus towards preserving employee wellbeing” after an attack. Mental health support and resources for those affected are crucial elements of the recovery process.
Jacob Coyne, founder of the mental health organization Stay Here, told PureVPN and eloquently highlights the long-term impact, “The trauma of such an attack lingers, not just for weeks or months, but sometimes for years, impacting people’s lives in profound ways.”
The psychological wounds inflicted by ransomware can linger for months or even years, disrupting sleep, relationships, and overall well-being.
Read more: How to Remove Ransomware From Windows: An Easy Guide to Restoring Your Files
Healing the Invisible Wounds
Ransomware is not just a financial issue; it’s a human crisis. By acknowledging the psychological, and emotional impact on individuals, organizations, and society as a whole, we can begin to address the invisible wounds of cyberwar.
Recognizing the psychological and emotional impact on individuals, organizations, and societies is the first step in this process. Another essential step is investing in mental health services for the victims, and developing more holistic recovery strategies. However, until we get there, the best way to avoid suffering it at all is by good cyber hygiene, which can help us avoid ransomware attacks and other disastrous digital threats.
For additional information and updates on the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity and how PureVPN can be useful in attacks by ransomware, follow PureVPN blog.
Let’s break the silence and prioritize the well-being of those caught in the crossfire. By acknowledging the human cost, we can start to heal the invisible wounds of cyberwar.
Read more: Why Will TikTok Ban Spark a Boom in VPN Usage in America?
