[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”4013.4px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/zpesystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/shutterstock_1612695883.jpg” alt=”shutterstock_1612695883″ title_text=”shutterstock_1612695883″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to enterprise network security. Recent findings<\/a> show that 37% of organizations were affected by ransomware attacks in 2020 alone. These attacks can be financially devastating, costing companies an average of $1.85 million in payouts and damages.<\/p>\n To minimize the impact of a ransomware attack, it is critical to detect and mitigate the infection as early as possible. Still, traditional signature-based firewalls and antivirus software may not be able to detect novel malware (new viruses that haven\u2019t been seen before) and zero-day exploits that hackers frequently use to deploy ransomware on a network. For example, in early 2021, Microsoft detected multiple zero-day exploits<\/a> that hackers used to attack on-premises Exchange servers. That is why it is essential to have a comprehensive network monitoring solution<\/a> for preventing, detecting, and removing ransomware on a network. However, it\u2019s essential to understand what ransomware is and how it works before diving into the best strategies for detecting ransomware on a network.<\/p>\n Ransomware is malware (malicious software) that takes systems or data hostage until you pay a ransom to the hacker. Usually, hackers will encrypt your files, and after you pay the ransom, they\u2019ll provide an encryption key. On some occasions, the hacker will just take your money and run; other times, they\u2019ll decrypt your files but leave malware on your system so they can attack in the future.<\/p>\n Even in the best-case scenario, where access to your files is fully restored, and the malware is completely removed, you\u2019re likely to face significant business interruptions both during and after the breach. One notable example would be Colonial Pipeline<\/a>, which faced a ransomware attack in May of 2021. Even after paying the ransom, they had to shut down operations for several days while removing all traces of malware from their network, causing President Biden to declare a state of emergency.\u00a0<\/p>\n So, not only do you pay a steep cost for the ransom, but you\u2019ll also pay the cost of lost business, lost consumer trust, and even potential legal fines if regulated data was exposed during the attack.<\/p>\n Detecting ransomware on a network is notoriously difficult until it has fully infected the network and activated its encryption. That\u2019s because traditional security solutions rely on signature-based detection, which means they keep a database of known virus types to compare potential infections. If a piece of malware doesn\u2019t match anything in the signature database, or if that database isn\u2019t kept up-to-date, it could get through firewall and antivirus software.<\/p>\n Since ransomware attacks frequently use novel malware, you may need to instead look for signs of that infection interacting with systems and files on your network. This requires a comprehensive network that gives complete visibility on enterprise infrastructure, including edge networks and remote and branch locations<\/a>. For example, a SIEM (security information and event management) solution offers a holistic view of your network by collecting logs and event data from all your systems and applications.<\/p>\n Collecting data is only the first step\u2014you also need to know what to look for. Here are some of the signs of a ransomware infection that you can detect through network monitoring:<\/p>\n If you catch a ransomware infection on your network before it has encrypted any of your files, then you may be able to remove it the same way you\u2019d remove other kinds of malware. You should isolate infected devices, run malware removal programs, and thoroughly scrub for any lingering trace of ransomware. It may be necessary to reinstall the operating system from scratch to clean the system entirely.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, if the ransomware infection has begun encrypting files already, none of these removal methods will reverse that process or restore access to your files. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so essential to prevent a ransomware infection in the first place.<\/p>\n Though there aren\u2019t any security solutions or strategies that provide 100% protection against malware, there are still some best practices to follow to decrease the risk of infection:<\/p>\n Often, large enterprises end up with a patchwork of security solutions and infrastructure configurations spread out across many geographic locations and cloud providers. Maintaining security standards, patch management schedules, and monitoring dashboards across many different platforms increases the chances of mistakes leading to a ransomware attack. That\u2019s why you should look for opportunities to consolidate your security and infrastructure management to reduce the number of physical devices you\u2019re responsible for configuring and securing. You should also avoid vendor lock-in by choosing a vendor-neutral infrastructure management solution<\/a>,\u00a0 so your security teams can provide the best possible care and attention across your entire enterprise network from one unified control panel.<\/p>\n You need to backup all your critical data systems and fully secure backups. Backups need to be isolated from the enterprise network so ransomware can\u2019t access them from any other infected systems. It is also important to test backups frequently and ensure teams know how to execute disaster recovery plans. If a solid backup and recovery strategy is in place, many of the expenses involved in a ransomware attack may be avoided.<\/p>\n Hackers frequently use social engineering tactics (such as phishing) to get their ransomware onto a network. Educating staff on recognizing social engineering attempts, avoiding clicking on suspicious links, and reporting potential security incidents to IT can go a long way towards preventing a ransomware infection. Every member of an organization should feel responsible for enterprise network security and know how to spot and respond to a potential infection.<\/p>\n Ransomware is a major threat to enterprise network security, but you can detect or even prevent an attack with the right tools and plans in place. By utilizing SIEM or other comprehensive network monitoring solutions, you can spot the signs of ransomware moving throughout your network.\u00a0<\/p>\n Even better, you can prevent a ransomware attack from occurring at all by implementing a robust backup strategy, educating staff at every level of your organization, and consolidating your security and infrastructure management tools with a solution like Nodegrid. ZPE Systems\u2019 Nodegrid<\/a> simplifies network management by reducing remote and edge infrastructure into one centralized control panel.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color=”#358AAF” custom_margin=”||||true|false” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Contact ZPE Systems<\/b> today.<\/b><\/p>\nWhat is ransomware, and how does it work?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Detecting ransomware on a network<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Three critical steps to ensure network security against ransomware<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Simplify your security and infrastructure management.<\/h3>\n
2. Establish a robust and secure backup strategy.<\/h3>\n
3. Create a culture of security.<\/h3>\n
Detect and prevent ransomware attacks with the right solutions<\/b><\/h2>\n
Learn more about detecting ransomware on a network and preventing infections with the <\/b>Nodegrid infrastructure management<\/b><\/a> solution.<\/b><\/h2>\n