How to Handle a Ransomware Attack Indonesian Style: No Backup, No Plan, No Problem!

Wah, Indonesia, beautiful Indonesia. Land of a thousand islands, a million smiles, and apparently, a national data center with the security of a warnet. Brain Cipher, a ransomware villain so basic it could have been named “Please Pay Us,” waltzed in and encrypted our data faster than you can say rendang. Immigration? On hold. Online learning? More like online longing. Let’s just say the chaos was peak meme material.

Look, our government reacted quickly. Maybe a little too quickly, like trying to fight off a fire with a pool noodle. Communication? Murky as a banjir after a bad storm. Damage control? About as effective as a leaky bucket. We threw money at the problem like throwing flowers at a parade, but with all the finesse of a runaway becak.

Here’s the real problem: misplaced priorities and governance. We fight cyber threats with the same strategy we use to navigate rush hour traffic – a wing and a prayer. Don’t even get me started on the $8 million ransom. That number screams just how unprepared we were.

This wasn’t just a security breach, it was a national trust fall, and we landed flat on our backs. Decisions? Made with the strategic brilliance of a lost chicken. Cybersecurity strategy? More like whack-a-mole with our eyes closed.

Business Continuity Plan (BCP)? Let’s just say ours was probably written on a napkin at a warteg with disappearing ink. Finding top cyber talent in Indonesia? As likely as finding a durian that doesn’t smell. Bureaucracy? Thicker than ketan. Recipe for disaster, much?

We Indonesians, we take pride in our gotong royong spirit. But come on, this data center needs a digital gotong royong like yesterday. Ditch the red tape, invest in real security, and maybe hire some cybersecurity professionals who aren’t wrestling with our legendary internet speeds.

This is about our digital future, teman-teman. Cyberattacks are the new common cold, and our data center needs more than just sunshine and prayers. Let’s build a digital benteng worthy of Indonesia, shall we?