Ransomware And Backups

Backup Is Feeble Protection Against Ransomware

My dad used to say, “Choose a tool for the job” when it came to home repair. You could see him often berating a family member who used a saucepan or shoe heel as a hammer. They weren’t made for this purpose.

Specialized solutions are required to protect data from ransomware. Backup was created to ensure that data can be recovered. Backup systems do not offer protection for data and computer systems. Malware, such as Shamoon, Bad Rabbit, and NotPetya can overtake a computer’s startup process, encrypt its entire disk, and wipe out all data.

Make sure you have the right tool for the job

If a ransomware attack happens, I wouldn’t bet on a backup. Backup as a ransomware protection system is similar to relying on a peashooter for a nuclear attack. Backup is recommended to protect data from accidental deletions, corruption, and disasters. Backup was not designed to protect against cybercrime. Ransomware attacks are most common when ransomware encrypts endpoint data to prevent its recovery. Ransomware can be prevented by first removing it from your devices. Backup cannot do this. Backup can’t detect if encrypted data is present, so ransomware will backup encrypted data.

Ransomware attacks have prompted some companies to use offline tape-backup to protect themselves against future attacks. Tape-back solutions can be costly, slow, and labor-intensive and are not suitable for all organizations.

You create more problems when you attempt to solve a problem using an ineffective solution. Due to the inability to back up against ransomware, there is a growing market trying to overcome these limitations. None of these solutions will solve the problem completely and each one has its own challenges.

Endpoint security products such as Bitdefender, CrowdStrike, and SentinelOne are the best to protect against ransomware attacks. However, hackers are becoming more sophisticated, stealthier, and evasive. This limits the effectiveness of anti-malware in defending against all these growing threats.

Malware security solutions do not protect data but target threats. It is easier and more efficient to focus on a handful of issues rather than trying to fix hundreds or even thousands. This is the problem with security measures, as malware attacks are relentlessly getting through.

I don’t think we should not have backup or anti-malware software. We do. I am simply pointing out the need for targeted solutions to address vulnerabilities in the most efficient way possible.

Ransomware targets data wherever it is located

Data belonging to enterprises are at risk regardless of whether it’s stored in the cloud or on-premises. OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox are all cloud drives that can be used to store and share data. This cloud drives sync files from specified folders to the cloud. These files can be encrypted or damaged by ransomware and sent to the cloud. They can then spread to other devices sharing the cloud drive.

Unprotected Data: The Price

Ransomware attacks are costly and can cause serious damage to data and devices. Ransomware attacks can affect employees, customers, business partners, and the entire business. Many hidden costs and consequences quickly accumulate, which adds to the disruption following an attack.

Recent research has shown it takes, on average, approximately 16 days to restore a network after an attack. To spread their malware, attackers attack as many systems as possible. One ransomware attack could affect a large number of employees. This can cause IT departments to be overwhelmed and make it difficult to respond to all requests promptly. IT teams now need to reset computers, restore data from backup (assuming that the backup was not compromised), apply patches, and install new software.

The ransom demand does not always limit the extent of the damage. You may also have to pay:

* The hiring of consultants to conduct internal reviews and forensics on affected computers.

* Training employees following an attack.

* Employee productivity is declining across many departments.

* Losing or destroying corporate secrets.

* Loss of existing and potential customers.

* Brand reputation damaged

* Fines for compromised consumer data

* Higher cybersecurity insurance premiums

Fast Business Recovery and Damage Control

Ransomware attacks require that files and devices are immediately returned to the pre-attack state. Backup systems can make this difficult and time-consuming. You can reduce the threat by focusing protections on data.

A quick and effective way to protect data and quickly recover is to create an image of data within an invisible overlay that acts like armor. This approach allows the attacker to only access the overlay. The original data is protected and preserved. With a click, the original data can instantly be rolled back to the pre-attack state. This effectively renders ransomware threats ineffective.

We must protect all data and devices to quickly get back online and undo any damage. This requires the use of enabling mechanisms such as boot, disk, cloud, file, and file protections as well as file restore and operating system restoration.

If your target is a circular hole and your solution a square peg you won’t be successful. Data backup was not designed to defend against cyberattacks such as ransomware. Backup was designed to restore data if a computer crashes, corrupts, or fails, and is not intended to protect against ransomware attacks. Don’t rely on backups if your company is hit by ransomware. You should deploy technology that will immediately protect your data and allow for a quick rebound to ensure business continuity.