A CISO’s Guide to Prevent Ransomware Attacks
As I mentioned in my previous blog, “Ransomware reminds cyber security experts that it still exists“Here’s the next step on how to stop ransomware attacks.
We are only halfway through the quarter and already have seen ransomware attacks make the news. Ransomware has already made it to the attention of big names such as Acer and Birmingham College in 2021.
Ransomware attacks are a serious threat to any business. We all know this. Unprepared organizations can become victims and be so overwhelmed they have no choice but to pay the ransom. A report by fintech News? The average ransomware payment rose 33% to $111 605 in 2020.
It is therefore essential for companies to adopt the best cyber security practices to secure their business and prevent ransomware.
6 Effective Ransomware Solutions To Protect Your OrganizationHow to stop ransomware attacks
Data Backup
Cybercriminals will launch ransomware attacks to steal your data and hold it hostage. They then demand ransom money for it. Ransomware attacks can be prevented by having a strong and secure backup of your data.
Up-to-date IT Components
You could expose vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure if you don’t update your operating system, software, and a web browser with the most recent security patches. It is also a good idea to instruct your employees to update their operating systems as soon as possible.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Cybercriminals use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), one of the most popular tools for running ransomware attacks. These or similar tools are used by threat actors to gain remote access into an organization’s systems using stolen login credentials. Cybercriminals can gain remote access to your system and deploy ransomware, encrypting files stored there.
Multi-factor authentication can be enabled to increase your account’s security. This will stop cybercriminals from accessing your account even if they have login credentials.
Last but not least, make sure you have a strong password policy. Ask your employees to create strong passwords that include a mixture of numbers and symbols, as well as upper and lowercase letters. Let them know. The risks of sharing passwordsTell them to create a new password for each account.
Email scanning
Cybercriminals use Phishing to distribute malware. Organizations should use tools to scan all inbound emails for malware. Sometimes, email scanners fail to detect embedded links. Employees should inspect inbound emails carefully for embedded links before clicking.
An organization should also look into deploying a phishing incident management tool such asTABTo to empower employees to immediately report suspicious emails and to identify them.
Training for employees
Your employees should be trained in cyber security awareness to help prevent ransomware attacks. It will make them more alert to the ransomware threat and help them be more vigilant. Tools such asThreatCopEffective training are possible. This tool simulates ransomware attacks against your employees so that you can give real-world experience with dealing with these threats.
Identification of Weakness
An organization must identify and correct all loopholes within its IT infrastructure to make it stronger. Successful cyber attacks are usually due to vulnerabilities in an organization’s IT infrastructure. Enterprises should think about conducting cybersecurity audits. Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT). It is important to check for exploitable vulnerabilities regularly and fix them as soon as possible.
Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Cybercriminals targeted every industry when they launched ransomware attacks in 2020. This year is no exception. Cybercriminals have targeted big companies across all industries in March.
We are also witnessing the rise in the use of Ransomware-as-a-Service and other kit-like tools that have made running a successful ransomware campaign infinitely easier for the threat actors. It is the best course of action for organizations to create a strong defense against ransomware, and prevent it from ever happening. Our other resources are also available.BlogsTo find out more about other cyber attacks vectors