Ransomware Preparedness

Ransomware attacks – attacks on your computer and network infrastructure in which vital data are held hostage – are continually evolving and organizations must be proactive to defend against them effectively. This checklist will aid your organization in identifying vulnerabilities and ensuring adequate preparedness to detect, defend and recover from ransomware attacks. It emphasizes conducting a proactive ransomware impact analysis to bolster your organization’s defenses.

Understanding Ransomware

Continually update your knowledge about the latest ransomware threats and trends.

■ Define and educate about ransomware.
■ Ensure all employees understand what ransomware is and the associated risks.
■ Stay informed.

Anatomy of a Ransomware Attack

Educate employees about how attacks occur to enhance their ability to detect potential threats.
■ Understand the attack path.
■ Understand common vectors, initial infection, compromise and encryption processes.
■ Educate employees about the attack path.

Proactive Prevention and Impact Analysis

■ Conduct consistent and thorough assessments of your security infrastructure.
■ Continually educate employees about the latest cybersecurity best practices.
■ Regularly update all systems and software to minimize vulnerabilities.
■ Proactively identify and address potential exposure points in your security controls.
■ Test how effective your security controls are against common types of ransomware attacks.
■ Create a comprehensive incident response plan and ensure all team members are familiar with their roles.

Cyberattack Prevention

■ Utilize multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security beyond passwords.
■ Conduct regular backups of critical data and test the restoration process.
■ Employ robust endpoint protection to detect and mitigate threats swiftly.
■ Limit the potential damage of a ransomware attack by segregating your network.

Post-Attack Recovery

■ Develop a clear and efficient recovery plan to minimize downtime and data loss.
■ Post-attack, analyze the incident and update protocols to bolster future defense mechanisms.

Use this checklist as point of discussion with your in-house or third party IT provider. They should be able to explain the technical aspects and inform you if your organization is currently doing all it can to prevent, mitigate and recover from ransomware attacks.

FRM