What can be a consequence of a successful ransomware attack?

A successful ransomware attack often leads to significant financial loss for the affected organization, primarily due to ransom payments made to the attackers. This financial impact can be direct, involving the payment of a ransom in order to regain access to encrypted data, and can also extend to indirect costs. These indirect costs may include lost revenue during downtime, expenses related to recovery efforts, potential legal fees, and losses from damage to reputation and customer trust.

While other options might seem plausible, they do not accurately represent the consequences of such an attack. For instance, immediate software updates are typically a preventive measure rather than a consequence of an attack; financial loss encompasses a variety of consequences, making this answer the most comprehensive and relevant in illustrating the impact of a ransomware incident.