Hit Right Now? Do This First
Disconnect, don't shut down
Unplug network cables or turn off Wi-Fi on affected machines to stop the spread — but leave them powered on to preserve evidence.
Don't pay or negotiate yet
Paying does not guarantee recovery and marks you as a target. Let experts assess your backup and recovery options first.
Call for incident response
Reach Delta IT Advisors immediately so we can contain the attack and start recovery. Time matters in the first hours.
Our Ransomware Recovery Process
A clear, proven sequence to get your business operating again — and to make sure the attackers cannot simply walk back in.
1. Contain
We isolate infected systems to stop the ransomware from spreading to other devices, servers, and backups — without destroying the evidence needed for recovery.
2. Assess
We identify the ransomware variant, what was encrypted or stolen, and how the attackers got in, so recovery decisions are based on facts, not guesswork.
3. Recover
We rebuild affected systems and restore your data from clean, isolated backups — getting core operations back online as quickly as safely possible.
4. Harden
We close the gaps that let the attack in — MFA, patching, email filtering, endpoint protection, and tested backups — so it does not happen again.
The Best Recovery Is Not Needing One
Most ransomware attacks succeed because of gaps that are inexpensive to close: reused passwords, missing multi-factor authentication, unpatched software, and backups that were never tested. After we get you recovered, we make sure those doors are shut.
As a managed client, you also get a team on standby — so if anything ever does get through, one phone call starts the response instead of a frantic search for help.
- Multi-factor authentication on every account
- Tested, isolated backups you can actually restore from
- Email filtering and staff phishing training
- 24/7 monitoring and endpoint detection
Request Incident Response
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll respond quickly. For an active attack, call the numbers above for the fastest help.
Quick answer
If your business is hit by ransomware, Delta IT Advisors provides emergency response and recovery for Cleveland and Tampa companies — we isolate the attack, assess the damage, restore from clean backups, and get you operating again, then close the gaps so it does not happen twice.
Paying the Ransom vs. Recovering From Backups
| Pay the Ransom | Recover With Delta | |
|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed to get your data back | No | Yes, from clean backups |
| Funds criminal groups | Yes | No |
| Removes the attacker's access | No | Yes |
| Fixes the gap that let them in | No | Yes |
| Average cost | Ransom + downtime | Recovery + hardening |
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first if I think we have ransomware?
Disconnect affected machines from the network immediately (unplug the network cable or disable Wi-Fi) but do not power them off, then call us. Keeping systems powered preserves evidence and memory that can help recovery, while disconnecting stops the ransomware from spreading to other devices and backups.
Can you recover our data without paying the ransom?
In most cases, yes — if you have clean, tested backups we can rebuild systems and restore data without paying. Paying is risky: it funds criminals, does not guarantee a working decryptor, and marks you as a target. We exhaust every recovery option before that is ever discussed.
How long does ransomware recovery take?
It depends on how many systems are affected and the quality of your backups, but businesses with solid backups are often back to core operations within days, not weeks. Recovery without usable backups takes much longer, which is why we focus on backup readiness before an incident ever happens.
Do we have to report a ransomware attack?
Often, yes. Depending on your industry and the data involved, you may have legal or contractual obligations to notify clients, regulators, or your cyber-insurance carrier. We help document the incident and coordinate with your attorney and insurer, though we are IT advisors and not legal counsel.
We are not a current client — can you still help in an emergency?
Yes. We take on emergency ransomware response for businesses in Cleveland, Lakewood, and Tampa even if you are not already a managed client. Call (216) 221-3005 in Ohio or (656) 206-8811 in Florida and ask for incident response.