Knowledge is power. And in the war on the multibillion-dollar ransomware industry, knowing what the bad guys have up their sleeves is priceless. What if you could get intel on ransomware attacks straight from a former hacker? Now you can.
I worked with former hacker turned internationally-renowned cybersecurity expert, Hector Xavier Monsegur to create a comprehensive ebook designed to help you create the best defensive plan possible.
What are the most important things to know about ransomware?
As a former black hat-turned white hat hacker, Hector has his thumb on the pulse of ransomware today. What he thinks you should keep top of mind includes:
- Why ransomware is on the rise. From state-sponsored hacker groups to off-the-shelf tools, Hector says hacking isn’t what it used to be. With high-dollar insurance policies and the anonymity of cryptocurrencies, it’s more lucrative than ever.
- How hackers identify ideal targets. If you know what hackers are looking for, you can be on more guard. Hector says you want to find ways to increase the cost of an attack on you so hackers are more likely to move on to a quicker, less difficult target.
- More victims are paying ransoms—but it’s encouraging more attacks. Hector says hackers can double and triple dip, with a majority of organizations who paid getting hit a second time. It may seem like the only way out, but it’s not—with the right response plan.
- How to help protect your organization. Identify and close gaps you might be missing, train people to reduce human error and internal threats, and learn how to practice better security hygiene.
How does a former hacker suggest companies fight ransomware?
Today, Hector is an offensive security-focused “Red Team” researcher. This means he works with organizations to emulate how cybercriminals might carry out an attack to help defense-focused “Blue Teams” understand where their risks and gaps are.
He says there’s a 3-pillar to approach cybersecurity: before, during, and after an attack. With this approach you can design a top-to-bottom response policy that guides you through each phase:
- Preventative measures before an attack. Hector says a smaller attack surface area is easier to protect, and you have to “make life harder” for them with tougher defenses.
- Swift mitigation and response plans during an attack. Hector warns, “Just because the network is quiet doesn’t mean an attacker isn’t lurking on it.” Catching anomalies earlier can stop or slow the spread. Hector also says hackers are counting on chaos when an attack is detected, and a panic response. Having a response handbook ready will keep you prepared and focused.
- Fast recovery tools after an attack. Many organizations forget the fact that affected equipment technically becomes evidence after an attack—and can’t be used to get back online. Among other things, hands-on recovery support from a Ransomware Recovery SLA is your best bet.
This just scratches the surface. Get inside the mind of a former hacker and learn all the things hackers don’t want you to know with A Hacker’s Guide to Ransomware Mitigation and Recovery ebook.
It’s time to outsmart ransomware attackers at their own game!
