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Malware (malicious software) is, by definition, harmful to individuals and businesses. Ransomware is one type of malware that is extremely well-known. Its mode of operation is to deny you access to your computer and any data stored on it. Ransomware has the ability to spread to other computers on the network - recall Wannacry and the attack on the NHS? Nowadays, the likelihood of becoming a victim of a ransomware attack is at an all-time high. Ransomware is a threat to businesses of all sizes and industries – it makes no distinctions.

Businesses have never placed a higher premium on cybersecurity. They must operate in an increasingly connected landscape that is shifting toward hybrid models. We see IT environments that are widely distributed across devices, systems, clouds, and locations – this is especially true now that Covid has enabled widespread remote working.

Many organizations take a reactive stance toward cyberattacks, when a proactive stance would be far more productive. Many businesses simply adapt existing solutions or deploy new technology in response to an incident in a specific area of their infrastructure. To be truly protective, a solution must be multi-layered in order to withstand a targeted attack. What then can your business do?

The security ABC

While traditional approaches can be effective, it's critical to remember the fundamentals, such as a well-tested backup and recovery plan and a consistent patch management process. Additionally, you must ensure that your perimeter and endpoint security policies are well-managed. These measures, taken together, should prevent amateurs from causing significant damage, but will not thwart a sophisticated attack. Maintaining current software and operating systems via timely patch management is also critical, though it does not guarantee protection, as many attacks target unpatched vulnerabilities (known as zero-day attacks).

Embrace new technology

Traditional security solutions either do not work at all or have very limited functionality in cloud environments. And that was two years ago – consider how much has changed in terms of technologies and threats since then. That is precisely why newer technologies and approaches are necessary to provide a more effective defense against emerging threats. Microsegmentation, next-generation endpoint and sandboxing solutions, and zero-trust network access are a few examples (ZTNA). Indeed, ZTNA can provide your organization with an entirely new layer of defense, including increased visibility, faster detection, reduced IT complexity, and enhanced data protection.

Antivirus and other older endpoint security approaches are also no longer capable of preventing a laptop or mobile device from being used as a point of entry for an attack. These products frequently make assumptions about a vulnerability or malware. Modern endpoint security solutions are capable of defending against previously unknown and unheard-of attack methods. This is accomplished through techniques such as threat emulation and threat extraction, in which a suspicious file or program is opened in a secure sandbox, allowing its behavior and intentions to be determined and neutralized as necessary. Additional protections against ransomware and phishing are included in more comprehensive solutions.

Plan B

Regrettably, you must plan for a breach or hack, which requires developing a comprehensive and regularly tested business continuity (BC) plan. In other words, this section will define what occurs if an attack is successful. Along with assisting in the protection of critical information, a strong BC strategy can help minimize the impact of a breach on operations and service in the event of a breach. The foundation for this is routinely testing and maintaining your backup, particularly the ability to recover critical systems and data. However, because these backups will be primary targets as well, they must be kept out of the reach of attackers.

Divided we fall? Nope

While traditional perimeter security solutions such as firewalls and proxies are still necessary, it is almost certain that a determined hacker will gain access to your network. These perimeter solutions do not preclude an attacker from then traversing internal systems in search of valuable data to steal and potentially encrypt for ransom. To prevent internal reconnaissance, or what is referred to as "lateral movement," a more modern approach known as microsegmentation is required. By defining and enforcing the manner in which internal systems communicate with one another on a much more granular level, an attacker's freedom to roam the network is limited, thereby protecting critical data and systems. Consider your environment as a modern airport – impose strict restrictions on both staff and travelers (hackers) regarding their ability to move freely within it in order to create a safe and secure space.

Empower your people

Along with technological safeguards, staff training is a critical component of a multi-layered security strategy. Many targeted attacks begin with a phishing email, in which a user is enticed by a legitimate-looking request from a colleague, supplier, or customer to click on a malicious link or open an infected attachment, allowing the attacker to gain network access. It is critical to train employees on how to identify these bogus requests. Likewise, it is critical for staff to understand how critical it is for them to not be afraid to report them promptly if they become a victim.

Ransomware attacks can wreak havoc on businesses; they disrupt normal operations and impose financial costs; not to mention the potential for reputational damage. Regrettably, these types of attacks are almost inevitable these days, and any business can be targeted in this manner. The good news is that these attacks can be prevented or effectively mitigated with the proper security solutions and strategies in place. However, criminals never cease their attacks, and threats continue to evolve in order to catch businesses off guard. This is why your business must adapt and roll with the punches as well. Always take a proactive stance, and you'll have a fighting chance of dealing a deathblow to ransomware and other cyberattacks.