Ransomware is one of the most disruptive and costly types of cyberattacks facing organizations today. In a typical ransomware attack, cybercriminals use malware to encrypt an organization‘s data and demand a ransom payment, often in untraceable cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key.
Ransomware attacks have surged in recent years, fueled by the rise of ransomware-as-a-service offerings on the dark web that lower the barrier to entry for would-be attackers. According to Sophos‘ State of Ransomware 2022 report, 66% of organizations were hit by ransomware in 2021, up from 37% in 2020. The average ransom payment also nearly quintupled to over $800,000.
The impact of a ransomware attack can be devastating. Beyond the cost of the ransom itself, victims often face extended downtime, data loss, reputational damage, legal liabilities, and the expense of rebuilding systems. Many never fully recover. With the stakes so high, it‘s critical that organizations prioritize ransomware prevention as part of their overall cybersecurity strategy.
While no prevention strategy is 100% foolproof, taking a multi-layered, defense-in-depth approach can vastly reduce your ransomware risk. Here are 10 essential steps every organization should take to prevent ransomware attacks:
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1. Provide Security Awareness Training
Your employees are your first line of defense against ransomware, but they‘re also one of your biggest potential vulnerabilities. Over 90% of cyberattacks start with a phishing email that tricks a user into clicking a malicious link or downloading a malware-laced attachment. Investing in regular cybersecurity awareness training for all employees is one of the most effective ways to prevent ransomware and other cyber threats.
Focus your training on teaching employees how to spot potential phishing attacks, emphasizing the need to be cautious of unsolicited emails, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. Instruct workers to alert IT immediately if they suspect they‘ve received a phishing email. Conduct periodic phishing simulations to identify employees who need additional training and keep awareness high.
2. Keep Software and Systems Updated
Ransomware often exploits known vulnerabilities in outdated software and operating systems. Keeping all systems and software patched and up-to-date is crucial to preventing attacks. Deploy updates and security patches from vendors as soon as possible after they‘re released. Implement vulnerability scanning tools to identify systems that need patching.
For on-premises systems, ensure automatic updates are enabled whenever feasible. For software and systems reaching end-of-life, put plans in place to upgrade or replace them. Moving to cloud-based systems and software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications can help ensure you always have the latest security patches.
3. Deploy Endpoint Protection Software
Robust endpoint security software is a must for defending end-user devices like laptops and mobile phones against ransomware. Deploy a reputable, business-grade endpoint protection solution across all devices. Look for solutions that use machine learning and behavioral analysis in addition to signature-based detection to identify new and emerging malware threats.
Ensure that all endpoints are running the latest version of the software and that real-time protections are enabled. Central management of endpoints is also key to ensure consistent policy enforcement and to speed response if an infection does occur. Restrict users‘ ability to disable or tamper with the software.
4. Segment Your Network
One way ransomware spreads is by moving laterally across flat networks after the initial breach. Segmenting your network and implementing access controls can contain the blast radius of an attack. Use virtual local area networks (VLANs), firewalls, and other tools to create distinct network segments and enforce separation.
Categorize and group data and systems based on sensitivity and criticality to the business. Place critical assets like backup systems and domain controllers in separate, highly-restricted segments. Implement micro-segmentation for granular control down to the workload level where possible.
5. Limit and Manage User Privileges
Practicing the principle of least privilege (PoLP) is another important ransomware prevention strategy. PoLP dictates that users should only have the minimum level of access and permissions needed to perform their job duties. Limit the number of privileged user accounts, especially those with domain admin rights. Don‘t assign admin privileges to end-user workstations.
Implement access governance policies and procedures to ensure privileges are only granted to those who require them and are revoked when no longer needed, such as when an employee changes roles. Conduct regular user access reviews to identify and remove unneeded or inappropriate privileges.
6. Disable Macros and Restrict Software
Malicious Microsoft Office macros are a popular ransomware delivery mechanism. Macros are disabled by default in current versions of Office, but if you have legacy systems where you can‘t disable macros across the board due to business needs, implement an allow-listing approach so that only macros from trusted locations can run.
Application control or allow-listing software can also prevent ransomware by ensuring that only approved applications can be executed. Implement tools for controlling the installation and execution of software, using code-signing to verify software legitimacy.
7. Implement a Robust Backup Strategy
Having clean, current backups of your data won‘t prevent a ransomware attack, but it can significantly reduce the impact and make recovery much easier and faster. A robust backup strategy is a critical element of ransomware prevention planning.
Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule — keep three copies of your data, on two types of media, with one copy stored offsite. Ensure that backups are fully segregated and offline where attackers can‘t access them. Protect backup systems behind firewalls and use multifactor authentication for admin access. Regularly test backups to ensure you can restore them successfully.
8. Conduct Penetration Testing
Penetration testing identifies weaknesses in your security defenses by taking an "assume breach" approach — mimicking the tactics of real-world threat actors to see how far they can go. Pen testers are skilled in the same techniques that ransomware gangs use to breach networks, so their assessments provide invaluable insights into gaps in your prevention strategy.
Conduct pen testing at least annually, and after any significant changes to systems and applications. Rotate pen testing firms every few years to get fresh perspectives. Remediate vulnerabilities promptly, prioritizing those with the highest risk scores. Don‘t neglect to test a successful ransomware scenario too to assess the strength of your response and recovery capabilities.
9. Develop and Practice an Incident Response Plan
Every organization should have a documented incident response (IR) plan that outlines roles, responsibilities, and procedures for handling a successful ransomware attack. Your IR plan should cover initial detection and analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery. It should also address decision-making around ransom payment and when to engage law enforcement and outside IR support.
Regularly practicing your IR plan with tabletop exercises and simulations is key to being prepared. These practice sessions often identify gaps in the plan and give the IR team valuable experience to improve their performance in the event of a real attack.
10. Evaluate Cyber Insurance Coverage
Even with a robust prevention strategy in place, it‘s impossible to eliminate ransomware risk entirely. Cyber insurance can provide valuable financial protection to help cover the costs of an attack, including forensics, data recovery, legal fees, and regulatory fines.
When evaluating policies, pay attention to the fine print. Many insurers are adding stricter requirements for ransomware coverage or excluding it altogether due to soaring losses from attacks. You may need to demonstrate certain controls such as multifactor authentication and segregated backups to qualify for ransomware coverage. Work closely with your broker to understand your options and ensure you have appropriate coverage for your risk profile.
Conclusion
Ransomware is an insidious threat that every organization must take seriously. While there‘s no silver bullet solution, implementing these 10 essential prevention steps as part of a comprehensive, multi-layered security strategy can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim:
- Security awareness training
- Keeping software updated
- Robust endpoint protection
- Network segmentation
- Limiting user privileges
- Disabling macros/restricting software
- Reliable data backups
- Penetration testing
- Incident response planning
- Cyber insurance
Remember, security is a continuous journey, not a destination. Stay vigilant and proactive in your ransomware prevention efforts, and be prepared to adapt your defenses as the threat landscape evolves. With the right strategy, tools, and mindset, you can protect your organization and make ransomware attackers look elsewhere for easier targets.