Ransomware: “The worst mistake is a CEO asking: How do I pay?”
Crisis negotiators Michael Sjøberg and Peter Skovbo explain in an interview how medium-sized businesses can defend themselves against ransomware.
Quick Look
- Ransomware attacks on medium-sized businesses continue to rise.
- In an interview, crisis negotiators Michael Sjøberg and Peter Skovbo explain how companies can regain control and avoid costly mistakes.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Ransomware is considered one of the biggest business risks for corporations and medium-sized businesses. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, 1,041 attacks were reported in 2025.
Train. Ransomware, i.e. blackmail software, has long been considered one of the biggest business risks - not only for corporations, but especially for German medium-sized businesses. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, 1,041 ransomware attacks were reported in 2025, an increase of ten percent compared to the previous year.
During a ransomware attack, criminals encrypt entire IT systems and extort a ransom - usually in the form of Bitcoin and often with the threat of publishing previously stolen data.
How can companies defend themselves against this? How can they regain control in this situation? And which mistakes are particularly costly in the first few hours? This is what crisis negotiators Michael Sjøberg, a former Danish military specialist in hostage-taking, and Peter Skovbo, who runs the consulting company Delta Crisis founded by Sjøberg in Switzerland, explain in an interview.
Open Questions
- What specific negotiation strategies do the experts recommend?
- What are the average ransom payments?
