The New Frontline of Cybersecurity: A Founder’s Perspective on Ransomware and AI Safety

When The Driz Group was founded, cybersecurity was in a different place than it is now. At the time, the primary threats were viruses or unsophisticated hacking attempts. Today, this is no longer the case. The new threat landscape is characterized by well-funded organizations with much more agility and a higher level of sophistication.

I’m Steve Driz, the Founder of The Driz Group. In my years of experience, I have found that we can no longer rely on outdated antivirus solutions or castles-and-walled defences.

There are two key developments changing the face of cybersecurity today: ransomware and artificial intelligence (AI). Both are advancing quickly, and both are a threat to the security of information, data, and operations. Ransomware is a malicious software that can lock people out of their systems and hold them hostage until a ransom is paid. Artificial intelligence is a type of technology that mimics human cognition. A new age of cyberattacks is being driven by both ransomware and AI, and we need to defend against them.

In this article, I’m going to talk about what these threats mean for businesses in Canada and beyond, how they’ve changed, and what The Driz Group is doing to help organizations push back with fully managed solutions that protect operations, data, and people.

The Changing Face of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity was once about building walls. Firewalls, passwords, and antivirus tools kept bad actors at bay. These days, the action has shifted to the inside. Attackers are using social engineering, AI-powered tools, and ransomware to gain access to systems, encrypt data, and demand a ransom.

The harsh reality is that no one is safe. It doesn’t matter if you are a multinational corporation or a local mom-and-pop. If you do business, you are a target. What’s important is how quickly you can respond, recover, and continue to operate.

At The Driz Group, we don’t just protect systems. We protect confidence, trust, and business continuity. 

Ransomware: The Threat That Won’t Go Away

Ransomware is among the most prevalent and expensive threats. It encrypts your data, locks down your systems, and extorts money before allowing access. Some variants even threaten to publish private files online unless a ransom is paid.

Analysts expect global ransomware costs to exceed $265 billion annually by 2031. Worst of all, there’s no guarantee the attacker will return your data, even if you pay. Victims who pay the ransom often lose their data anyway.

How Ransomware Works

1. Infection: Attackers gain access through phishing emails, weak passwords, or unsafe downloads.
   
   
2. Encryption: They lock or steal files so you can’t open or use them.
   
   
3. Demand: You receive a ransom note asking for payment, often in cryptocurrency.
   
   
4. Pressure: Attackers threaten to delete or leak your data if you don’t pay fast.
   
   

It’s scary and stressful. Every minute your systems are down, your business loses money, trust, and time.

Our Solution: Fully Managed Ransomware Protection

At The Driz Group, we know that ransomware isn’t just a technical problem. It’s a business problem. That’s why we built a fully managed ransomware protection solution that goes beyond detection. It keeps your business running, even during an attack.

Our solution is complementary to EDR, XDR, and MDR systems. Instead of replacing your current tools, we work alongside them to create a stronger defence.

Here’s how it helps:

• Avoid Downtime: If ransomware hits, our system ensures your business keeps operating.
  
  
• Never Pay the Ransom: We design recovery plans that get you back online without giving in to attackers.
  
  
• Continuous Monitoring: Our team watches over your systems 24/7, ready to respond in seconds.
  
  
• Rapid Recovery: We isolate threats, restore data, and get your business moving again quickly.
  
  

We created this service because downtime is often more costly than the ransom. Every hour offline is revenue lost, customers missed, and trust tarnished.

The Driz Group is a partner that invests in prevention, resilience, and recovery, not criminal payoffs.

AI: The New Frontier of Cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence is transforming every part of our lives. From automating tasks to detecting fraud, AI can be a force for good. But it’s also giving attackers new tools.

AI can now create fake voices, emails, and even videos that look and sound real. It can analyze systems faster than any human and find weaknesses in seconds. Attackers are using AI to make their scams smarter and harder to detect.

That means businesses need to use AI responsibly and protect it as well.

Our Solution: Fully Managed AI Security and Safety

As AI becomes part of more business operations, from customer service to data analysis, it opens up new risks. That’s why The Driz Group created a fully managed AI security and safety solution.

This service protects your AI systems from misuse, tampering, and manipulation. It helps you use AI safely without adding new risks to your organization.

Our AI security solution can be deployed as a SaaS or on-premises, depending on your security and compliance needs.

Here’s what it offers:

• Real-Time Threat Detection: Continuous monitoring for attacks against AI models and data.
  
  
• Protection from AI-specific threats: Including data poisoning, model theft, prompt injection, and algorithm manipulation.
  
  
• Compliance Support: Helps align with privacy and AI safety frameworks.
  
  
• Custom Deployment: Choose cloud-based SaaS for flexibility or on-premises for full control.
  
  
• Fully Managed Expertise: Our team handles setup, monitoring, and response — so you don’t need in-house AI security specialists.
  
  

AI is a powerful tool, but it can’t protect itself. Our goal is to give companies the confidence to innovate without fear.

As I often tell our clients: “AI is only as good as the intent behind it. Security must always guide innovation.”

Why Human Oversight Still Matters

Even with the most advanced technology, people remain the heart of cybersecurity. Systems can detect threats, but only humans can make the right choices.

Most cyber attacks begin with human error — a clicked phishing link, a weak password, or a missed software update. That’s why The Driz Group focuses on training and awareness as much as on technology.

Every employee should understand the basics:

• Never open suspicious attachments or links.
  
  
• Report unusual emails or behaviour right away.
  
  
• Use strong, unique passwords.
  
  
• Keep software and systems updated.
  
  

Technology can protect data, but only people can protect trust.

Building a Security-First Future

At The Driz Group, we believe in more than defending against attacks. We believe in building a safer digital future. That means combining advanced technology, strong partnerships, and human intelligence.

We’re constantly researching new threats and testing solutions before they reach our clients. Whether it’s ransomware, AI misuse, or insider threats, we’re always learning and adapting.

Our vision is simple:
To help businesses stay secure, confident, and prepared — no matter what the future brings.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds us all that safety is a shared responsibility. Every company, large or small, plays a role in protecting our digital world.

Action Steps for Business Leaders

If you’re wondering where to start, here are some simple, practical steps to strengthen your organization’s cybersecurity:

1. Don’t rely on a single tool. Use multiple layers of defence like EDR, XDR, and managed protection.
   
   
2. Plan for ransomware. Have a clear recovery plan that lets you avoid downtime and never pay the ransom.
   
   
3. Secure your AI systems. Treat them like any other critical asset, and protect them with proper monitoring and management.
   
   
4. Keep training your team. Cybersecurity awareness should be part of company culture, not a once-a-year activity.
   
   
5. Partner with experts. Managed cybersecurity services like The Driz Group’s provide the skills, speed, and support most businesses need to stay protected.
   
   

Remember, cybersecurity isn’t just about preventing attacks. It’s about making sure your business can keep going when challenges appear.

Technology will keep changing, and so will the threats. But the core of cybersecurity remains the same — trust, preparation, and care.

At The Driz Group, our mission is to protect more than data. We protect people, businesses, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re safe.

As we look toward the future, I invite every business leader to take cybersecurity personally. It’s not just an IT problem. It’s a business responsibility and a human one.

Let’s make our digital world safer, together.

“Technology moves fast, but our purpose never changes — to protect people, data, and the promise of a secure digital future.”

If you’re ready to strengthen your defences, reach out to The Driz Group. Let’s build your next layer of protection today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes The Driz Group’s ransomware protection unique?
   Our ransomware solution complements existing EDR, XDR, and MDR tools. It focuses on avoiding downtime and ensuring recovery without ever paying the ransom.
2. Can you help if our business already has a security team?
   Yes. We work with your team, not instead of them. Our managed solutions fill the gaps and add round-the-clock monitoring and response.
3. How does your AI security solution work?
   It monitors AI systems for risks like data leaks, model tampering, and unauthorized access. It’s fully managed and can be deployed as SaaS or on-premises.
4. What happens during a ransomware attack?
   Our team acts fast to isolate the threat, recover data, and restore operations. You stay online and never have to pay the ransom.
5. Why should businesses choose a fully managed solution?
   Because cyber threats never sleep. A managed service ensures continuous protection, faster response times, and expert support without needing extra staff.

Further Reading

• CISA – Cybersecurity Awareness Month Resources
  
  
• Europol – Ransomware Trends Report
  
  
• NIST – AI Risk Management Framework