A proper ransomware attack response never involves negotiating with the criminals responsible. This holds true even when one ransomware gang turns on another and offers to “help” victims caught in the crossfire. SkySail Technologies recommends relying only on tested backups, a documented incident response plan, and a trusted IT security partner during a cyberattack. Never rely on the attackers themselves, no matter which side of a criminal dispute they claim to be on.
When Ransomware Gangs Turn on Each Other
Cybercriminal infighting is becoming more common. Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operations now compete against each other for affiliates and targets. In one recent case, a ransomware group publicly threatened a rival. They promised to expose identities, leak stolen data, and even offered to help victims decrypt their files. On the surface, this looks like an opening. If your business has already been hit, an offer of free recovery help can feel like a lifeline.
However, this is exactly where businesses run into deeper trouble. Fairness, justice, and any obligation to victims don’t motivate these groups. Leverage, pressure, and profit do. Even when they attack each other, their underlying goal never changes: control and financial gain.
Should a Business Trust a Hacker Who Offers to Help?
No. A business should never trust a cybercriminal’s offer to help, even when it comes from a group claiming to oppose the attackers who targeted you. These claims have no verification process. Nobody holds these groups accountable if they fail to deliver. And you have no legal recourse if their “help” makes things worse.
In practice, this means:
- No proof exists that the offering group can actually decrypt your files
- Engaging with any criminal organization increases your exposure to further extortion
- A criminal, not you, decides your business’s fate in that moment
Getting caught between two cybercriminal groups and hoping one of them is the “honest” one is not a risk any Kelowna business should accept. Your incident response plan and your IT security provider should carry that decision-making burden instead — not an unverified third party claiming good intentions.
What Should a Business Do Instead of Trusting Hackers?
Build your ransomware attack response before an incident occurs. SkySail Technologies recommends a structured approach that removes the pressure to make risky decisions in the moment. We call this the Ransomware Resilience Framework. It combines tested backups, continuous monitoring, and a documented response plan, backed by a trusted IT partner.
Tested and Accessible Backups
Untested backups create a false sense of security. A strong ransomware attack response depends on knowing, in advance, that your backups can restore quickly and completely. Store your backups where ransomware cannot reach or encrypt them alongside your live systems.
Active Monitoring for Early Detection
Ransomware rarely strikes without warning signs. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools, combined with active monitoring, help your team spot unusual account activity, suspicious file changes, or unauthorized access attempts early. Early detection consistently ranks among the strongest defences against ransomware spreading across a network.
A Documented Incident Response Plan
When an attack happens, clarity matters more than speed. A documented plan tells your team exactly who to call, which systems to isolate, and how to communicate internally and externally. This includes any obligations under Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) when personal data is involved. Businesses in regulated sectors, such as accounting and legal services, face additional reporting obligations. A response plan should address these directly.
Why Local Businesses Need a Trusted IT Partner, Not a Criminal’s Promise
For professional services firms across the Okanagan Valley, a ransomware incident risks more than downtime. It puts client trust, regulatory compliance, and reputation on the line. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security consistently shows that businesses with a pre-established incident response relationship recover faster. They also suffer less financial damage than those scrambling to find help mid-crisis.
SkySail Technologies works with Kelowna and Interior BC businesses to build ransomware defences before an attack happens, not after. Our approach combines managed monitoring, tested backup systems, and rapid-response support. This means your team never has to weigh an offer from a criminal group during an actual incident.
The Bottom Line
Cybercriminal infighting may look like an opportunity, but it changes nothing about the risk of trusting an attacker. The only dependable ransomware attack response starts with preparation: verified backups, active monitoring, and a clear plan that a trusted security partner executes alongside you. If you aren’t confident in how your business would respond to a ransomware attack today, build that strategy now — not during a crisis.
