Case Study: How a Robust Backup and Disaster Recovery Strategy Saved a Firm from Data Loss.
Inkitin mid‑sized firm was hit by a ransomware attack that encrypted core systems and brought operations to a standstill. Thanks to a well‑designed backup and disaster recovery strategy, they were able to restore critical data, avoid paying the ransom, and return to business with minimal permanent loss.
Client overview
The client is a growing professional services firm with multiple offices and a mix of office‑based and remote staff. Day‑to‑day operations depend on access to shared file repositories, line‑of‑business applications, and email communication with customers and partners. The firm handles sensitive commercial and customer data and must maintain strong availability and integrity of its information. Prior to the incident, they had invested in modernising their infrastructure and implementing a structured backup and disaster recovery approach.
Challenges
The ransomware attack struck outside normal business hours, encrypting servers that hosted file shares, application databases, and key internal tools. User devices began displaying ransom notes demanding payment in exchange for decryption keys, and several core systems became unavailable at the start of the next business day. Without access to project data, documents, and email, teams were unable to service clients effectively, and leaders faced pressure to decide whether to pay the ransom. There was also concern about how far the infection had spread, whether backups were intact, and how quickly the firm could recover.
Our solution
Once the attack was detected, we followed a structured incident response process: isolating affected systems, containing the spread, and preserving evidence for later analysis. Because the firm had a robust backup and disaster recovery design, we were able to verify the integrity of recent backups stored in a separate, protected environment. We prioritised restoration of critical servers and applications, bringing up clean environments from backups taken before the infection and validating that they were free of malware. Network and security configurations were tightened as part of the recovery, including hardening remote access, improving monitoring, and closing the gaps that allowed the attack to succeed.
Client experience
While the initial discovery of the attack was confronting, leadership quickly gained confidence as they saw systems coming back online from known‑good backups. Staff were kept informed about which systems were available and when they could safely reconnect, helping to reduce confusion and minimise the impact on clients. The firm appreciated that decisions were guided by an agreed disaster recovery plan, rather than improvised under pressure. Ultimately, they were relieved to avoid paying the ransom and to restore operations on their own terms.
Head of Marketing | Inkitin
Outcomes
The firm successfully recovered its critical data and systems from backups, avoiding permanent loss of customer information and key business records. Because backups were isolated and regularly tested, the attackers were unable to encrypt or destroy them, and recovery times were kept within agreed recovery time and recovery point objectives. The incident validated the value of the backup and disaster recovery investment and led to further improvements in security, monitoring, and staff awareness. Most importantly, the business emerged with stronger resilience, a clearer understanding of its risks, and practical proof that it could withstand and recover from a serious ransomware event.