Ransomware Recovery: How to Develop Cyber Resilience

Ransomware attacks are a commonplace occurrence in today’s world. According to the US government, there were 2,321 reported ransomware attacks worldwide in the first half of 2024, an increase from the previous year. The cost of such incidents averaged $255,000, while some cost as much as $7 million. 

The best defense is a good offense. In the case of ransomware preparedness, that means developing a robust resiliency architecture. Companies must take a proactive stance by understanding ransomware data recovery and developing comprehensive strategies to minimize downtime and ensure data security.

How to Develop Cyber Resilience 101: Identifying the Ransomware Attack

Recognizing a ransomware attack early is essential. Many of the indicators stem from the fact that hackers use encryption to prevent file access. Ransomware infections often generate noticeable slowdowns in system performance as the encryption process consumes CPU and disk resources. Unexpected spikes in network traffic may also indicate that ransomware is spreading across connected systems or communicating with external servers.

If files suddenly become inaccessible, or if you see suspicious changes to file extensions, that may also be an indication of cyberattackers at work. Other red flags include large outbound data transfers or a large number of failed login attempts.

While a ransom demand (usually calling for payment in cryptocurrency) is a major concern, it might not always indicate a successful attack.

Isolating Infected Systems

Once you have identified a likely ransomware attack, take immediate action to contain the spread. Disconnect infected devices from the network by unplugging network cables, disabling Wi-Fi, or revoking network credentials and access permissions for cloud-based resources or compromised user credentials.

Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections to prevent lateral movement, and shut down non-essential systems to minimize further encryption. Consider temporarily disabling the entire wireless network to ensure ransomware cannot spread to other connected devices, and inform employees not to reconnect devices until further notice.

Isolating affected systems can limit further damage, ensuring that the malware does not spread to other endpoints or compromise backup files.

Reporting the Attack

Report ransomware attacks to the appropriate authorities right away, as this can aid law enforcement in tracking criminal activity. Contact cybersecurity agencies such as the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

You should also inform internal stakeholders of the attack. If your organization has a risk and compliance officer, they should be made aware of the situation immediately. Engage your crisis management team if you have one, and be prepared to communicate vital information to external stakeholders as needed.

Assessing the Damage

Understanding which files and systems have been compromised is the first step toward recovery. Typical decontamination includes malware scanning, vulnerability scanning, and targeted threat hunting for new IoCs. It’s also important to check system logs for suspicious behavior in the period leading up to the attack.

After identifying the affected files and systems, determine how much data has been encrypted, altered, or deleted. Check for partial or full encryption, and examine file metadata to determine whether timestamps or filenames have changed.

Investigate the possibility that data was exfiltrated prior to your discovery of the attack. If sensitive information has been stolen, you may face regulatory compliance actions, as well as reputational damage.

Forensic analysis can help organizations understand how the breach occurred and prevent future incidents.

Using Ransomware Recovery Tools

The best defense against ransomware is a well-maintained CR strategy. This requires a more sophisticated approach than simply backing up files and retaining periodic snapshots of your data.

Assuming you have backups available, start by ensuring the backups themselves aren’t compromised. Restore your data and scan the resulting files for any residual malware before reintegrating them into your network.

In many cases, you may not have clean backups. If cyberattackers can gain administrative access to your systems, for example, they can encrypt or delete your backups as well. To combat this, consider using cyber  recovery tools like Pure Storage^® SafeMode™ Snapshots. This approach locks your backups and protects them from being altered. SafeMode is built into all Pure Storage products and is easily manageable through the Pure1^® AIOps management platform. Immutable backups like SafeMode Snapshots can be immensely valuable in mitigating the impact of an attack and help you get back up and running quickly afterward.

Also, look for recovery tools that deliver rapid performance. Downtime is very expensive, so every minute counts as you strive to return to business as usual. Again, it pays to have the right technology in place before an unforeseen event happens. FlashBlade//S™, for example, provides petabyte-scale recovery that’s up to three times faster than competitive offerings.

Rapid recovery is the key to minimizing the costs and negative publicity associated with ransomware attacks. Pure Storage offers a first-of-its-kind Cyber Recovery and Resilience SLA as part of our Evergreen//One™ storage-as-a-service (STaaS) offering. We guarantee a clean environment for data recovery and augmented staff when you need it most. Solutions like ActiveDR™ and ActiveCluster™ provide always-on data protection and disaster recovery, helping you get back up and running fast.

Proactive Cyber Resilience

Prevention is key to reducing the risk of future ransomware attacks. This starts with best practices. Consider implementing strong password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA), for example, if you have not done so already. Regularly update and patch your software, and use security monitoring and filtering tools to protect against infection. Train your employees to recognize phishing attempts, social engineering attacks, and other suspicious behavior.

Next, consider adopting a resiliency architecture approach, leveraging secure data storage, rapid recovery capabilities, and robust cybersecurity defenses to protect your systems against evolving ransomware threats.

Recovery from ransomware, one of the more insidious attacks you may face, requires a multi-faceted approach, from isolating infected systems to restoring data and fortifying security defenses. As attackers develop more sophisticated approaches, businesses must respond by adopting robust ransomware recovery tools that neutralize the impact of such attacks.

While backups remain the most effective recovery method, the old-fashioned approach to backup and recovery is no longer good enough. It pays to invest in tools for cyber resiliency, ensuring you can recover quickly and minimize damage. Proactive measures can transform a ransomware crisis into a strategic advantage.
Want to learn more? Reach out to us to learn how we can make your organization more resilient in the face of ransomware attacks.

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