Here Today, Locked Out Tomorrow: How to Avoid Ransomware Attacks and Protect Your Organization

Anyone who experienced a long, traumatic week without gas in May 2021 will confirm that ransomware attacks are real, terrifying, and on the rise.

Last month, the attack on the Colonial Pipeline’s IT system was only the most recent — and prominent — warning of the dangers that await the unwary. In the past, hackers primarily used linear scales, which made it simple to anticipate their next move. Nowadays, it’s more complicated.

Today, ransomware attackers conduct more than 4,000 attacks every day, with the average cost to impacted enterprises of a quarter million dollars to decrypt their confidential data. Additionally, bad actors are launching assaults that are more sophisticated, well-targeted, technologically advanced, and widespread than before.

Of course, the most effective defense is a proactive cybersecurity approach, like what CTI can provide your company. However, there are everyday actions you and your staff can take to avoid ransomware attacks and recover from them if they do occur.

Recently, some advice and strategies on the subject were released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

What Your Business Can Offer

Ransomware Attacks

According to NIST, businesses should:

  • Always use antivirus software, and set it up to automatically check your emails and removable storage devices (such as flash drives) for malware and ransomware.
  • Keep security updates adequately installed on all machines.
  • Use security tools or services that restrict access to websites known to host ransomware.
  • To stop ransomware from functioning, configure operating systems or utilize third-party software to let only approved programs run on machines.
  • Use of individually owned devices for telework, remote access, and other organizational networks should be limited or prohibited unless further security measures are taken.

What Staff Members Can Do

NIST also suggests that users follow these guidelines when using their work computers.

  • Standard user accounts should be used in place of accounts with administrative rights whenever possible.
  • Avoid utilizing personal software and websites like social media, chat, and email on work computers.
  • Never open files from unfamiliar sources or click on links without screening them for shady content. For instance, you may carefully examine links when running an antivirus check on a file.

How to Quickly Recover From an Attack

Ransomware Attacks

Despite these safeguards, malicious actors could still find a way into your systems. By taking precautions to ensure that their data won’t be lost or damaged and that regular business can swiftly continue, your firm may be ready for this.

To hasten recovery, NIST advises enterprises to take the following actions:

  • Create and execute a decision-making strategy and specific responsibilities for the incident recovery plan.
  • Plan, execute, and test a data backup and restoration strategy carefully. It’s crucial to have safe backups of all your essential data and keep those backups separate so that ransomware can’t easily spread to them.
  • Keep an updated list of internal and external contacts, such as law enforcement, for ransomware attacks.

A more detailed information sheet on how to keep protected from ransomware attacks has also been released by us. This information and others about ransomware may be found in the blog area.

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