5 Steps to Improve your Ransomware Resilience

Ransomware threats have evolved faster than ever and are detrimental to any organization with a relatively active and significant online presence. Now, despite specific data protection solutions in the market, we have brought you five steps that will help with improving your organization’s ransomware resilience to ensure your business’ safe continuity.

Take the “zero security” approach

Data protection software should not be considered the end-all when it comes to cyber security. Adopt the “zero-security” mentality – even the most effective endpoint security can be breached. Make your employees your first act of defence when it comes to ransomware. With adequate and regular training, keep them up-to-date with the latest threats and how they can avoid/tackle them.

Stay active by implementing robust security systems

With robust data protection and security systems, you can ensure that only approved apps work on your network. Make sure that your IT partner provides you with an appropriate blend of reactive and proactive support. You must have someone working away in the background, always keeping your systems safe and 100% updated. In case of a suspected ransomware attack, a proactive IT partner will already have a protection and recovery strategy that they can trigger immediately.

Invest in data backup and recovery

Having a comprehensive data backup strategy is a business basic. Organizations, however, believe that with a robust backup plan, they can avoid paying the ransom. It is important to note that cybercriminals stop at nothing, and they are likely to target your backup – including your cloud-based data too. The National Institute of Standards and Technology set out a cyber security framework that includes best practices such as:

• Constant backups: Separate from the computers and ideally in the cloud
• Immutable storage: This means once created, backups cannot be changed
• Firewalls: To restrict what data gets in and out

Create a plan for cyberattacks

A ransomware attack is likely to be challenging if you do not have the right plan in place. Prepare a detailed plan of action and ensure everyone knows what is in it, where to find it and how to trigger it. Organizations that undergo regular disaster recovery rehearsals have the edge over those whose plans exist but are not visited/updated regularly. Stress-testing makes for an effective way to combat ransomware should the worst occur.

Prepare, prepare and then, prepare some more

Comprehensive data protection empowers teams to protect, detect, respond, and recover faster in the face of any external attack. By creating a layered approach to recovery, you are effectively reducing the impact of any ransomware attack. By planning for what happens in the event of an attack or attempted attack, you’re making your business far more ransomware resilient than just simply trusting your managed IT support partner to create a system, one that will never be 100% watertight.

Related:

What Is SaaS Ransomware & How Can You Defend Against It?

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