Ransomware: A Growing Threat and How to Defend Against It
Ransomware, a malicious software designed to restrict access to critical data until a ransom is paid, has evolved significantly in recent years. Cybercriminals are no longer solely encrypting data but are also deleting or exfiltrating sensitive information, causing widespread disruption across industries. The rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this issue, with ransomware detections in early 2022 doubling the total reported cases from the previous year.
Defending Against Ransomware
While no organization is entirely immune to ransomware attacks, proactive measures can significantly reduce risks:
- Employee Training: Educating staff about cybersecurity best practices is crucial. Employees should avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening attachments from unknown sources.
- Security Tools: Deploy tools that detect and mitigate known ransomware variants while limiting their spread within the network.
- Network Segmentation: Ensure that ransomware cannot move freely across the network by segmenting access points.
- Role-based Access Control: Restrict employee access to only the areas necessary for their roles, particularly for remote workers or those using non-corporate devices.
Courtesy - Paloalto Networks
Why SaaS Backup is Ideal for Ransomware Protection
Cloud-based backup as a service offers unparalleled advantages over traditional on-premises systems. These include enhanced security, cost efficiency, and agility. Most importantly, SaaS backups create an "air-gap" between primary and secondary data, preventing ransomware from compromising both simultaneously. In addition to faster recovery times, these solutions minimize downtime, transforming potentially catastrophic attacks into manageable disruptions.
Best Practices for Mitigating Ransomware Risks
Regular Data Backups
- Make frequent backups of critical data and test restoration processes regularly.
- Use cloud-based SaaS backup services that protect previous versions of files from deletion or synchronization errors.
- Connect backups only to clean devices during recovery and scan them for malware beforehand.
- Patch backup solutions promptly to address vulnerabilities and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security.
Prevent Malware Delivery and Spread
- Implement file type filtering and block known malicious websites.
- Use sandboxing techniques to isolate malware threats and inspect content actively.
- Enable MFA at all remote access points and utilize VPNs or Single Sign-On (SSO) protocols for secure connections.
- Follow a least-privilege model for remote access accounts and patch vulnerabilities in external-facing devices without delay.
Prevent Malware Execution on Devices
Adopt a "defense-in-depth" strategy assuming malware may reach devices:
- Centrally manage device permissions to allow only trusted applications to run.
- Keep antivirus software updated and disable scripting environments where unnecessary.
- Regularly install security updates for operating systems, applications, and firmware.
- Configure firewalls to block inbound connections by default.
Incident Preparedness and Response
Organizations must prepare for potential ransomware incidents by identifying critical assets, developing communication strategies, and exercising incident management plans:
- Plan responses to ransom demands and assess legal obligations for reporting incidents.
- Test disaster recovery processes for SaaS applications, physical devices, and backups regularly.
- Revise incident plans post-event to incorporate lessons learned.
Revyz: Protecting Jira Cloud Data Against Ransomware
Atlassian’s Jira Software is widely used for managing workflows across diverse industries, making its data a valuable target for ransomware attacks. Revyz offers an advanced backup solution tailored for Jira users, providing automatic backups with granular restore options on demand. This ensures that organizations can safeguard their Jira data against threats like ransomware or account takeovers effectively.
By adopting these strategies and leveraging tools like Revyz's backup solution, organizations can fortify their defenses against ransomware while ensuring business continuity even in the face of cyber threats.
References
FBI - Tips for avoiding Ransomware
Cloud Security Alliance - Five Prevention Tips and One Antidote for Ransomware
Blogs from Revyz
Atlassian Data Protection - Challenges in the Cloud
7 Reasons Why A Jira Backup & Restore Solution Is A Must Have
Pro’s and Con’s of using Jira Cloud Database Backup & Restore
Mystery of Incorrect Sprint Reports
Jira - Restoring Issue Family Hierarchy
Data Backup - A Key Pillar of Insider Risk Management
What’s your Atlassian Cloud Migration & Data Protection Strategy?
A Guide to SaaS Shared Responsibility Model
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