You’ve planned for ransomware. Backups, incident response, maybe even a crypto wallet ready to go.
But what happens when there’s no encryption? No warning. Just a message: we have your data, and we’re going public unless you pay.
That’s extortion only. And it’s happening more than you think.
What Is an Extortion Only Breach?
Unlike ransomware, which locks systems and demands payment for a decryption key, extortion only attacks involve exfiltrating data and threatening to leak it. There’s no encryption, no system disruption, and no clear “event” to trigger alarms.
And that’s exactly what makes them so dangerous.
As the speaker in our recent video explains:
“There’s a lot less to see… and this is one of the reasons we’re seeing more of these types of attacks. It’s much more covert on the adversary side.”
For organizations in banking, credit unions, investment banking, or any part of financial services infrastructure, this poses an especially serious threat. Not only is the data highly sensitive, but the reputational impact of a breach can be devastating even if systems remain technically operational.
Why Extortion Only Is on the Rise
Attackers are learning that subtlety pays. Encryption based ransomware often triggers swift internal responses. But when there’s no obvious impact, just a quiet exfiltration, weeks can pass before anyone notices.
Worse still? Many organizations still treat ransomware and extortion as the same thing.
But they’re not.
“What’s your plan for an extortion only breach? Today, most organizations simply don’t have one.”
Best Practices for a New Era of Attacks
The good news: many of the tools used to prevent ransomware still apply. But they need to evolve. Here’s where leading CISOs and IT Directors are focusing:
1. XDR Over EDR
Traditional endpoint detection (EDR) only tells part of the story. Modern threats require Extended Detection and Response (XDR) especially with a network level component.
“XDR includes a network component and provides extra resiliency that shortens response time and stretches the adversary’s timeline.”
2. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
You can’t protect what you don’t monitor. DLP tools help identify sensitive data in motion, especially valuable when attackers try to quietly exfiltrate assets.
3. Continuous Monitoring & Behavior Analysis
Your defenses must be proactive, not reactive. That means watching for behavioral anomalies across endpoints, identities, and cloud environments.
4. Update Your Incident Response Playbook
If your playbook is still “shut it down and restore from backup,” you’re missing the mark. Include legal, compliance, and communications teams and make sure you have a plan for:
- Disclosure timelines
- Stakeholder notification
- Third party breach impact
Rethink Resilience
Cybersecurity isn’t just about stopping attacks, it’s about responding quickly and fighting through them. As threats evolve, so must your defenses. The organizations thriving in this new era are the ones that build true resilience across people, process, and technology.
Watch the full video below to hear more on how these threats are developing and how Open Security is helping our partners stay a step ahead.