Ransomware can bring your business to a halt. It’s one of the worst things that can happen next to a breach. If you see a computer with a notice on the screen about encrypted files, you have to act quickly to mitigate further damage to your data and disruption to your business.
The first thing you have to understand is that your business must close briefly. If you’ve got ransomware, it’s highly infectious. There’s also no telling what else your systems may be infected with. Shut it all down ASAP.
Below is an abstracted guide on how to deal with a ransomware infection:
1. Immediate Response and Containment
a. Isolate the Infection:
· Quickly disconnect affected systems from the network to stop the ransomware from spreading.
· Turn off Wi-Fi, unplug network cables, and disconnect from VPNs.
b. Assess the Scope:
· Identify which systems and files have been compromised.
· Check if the ransomware has reached cloud storage or local backups.
c. Notify Key Personnel:
· Inform your IT support team or managed service provider.
· Communicate the issue to business owners and relevant employees.
d. Preserve Evidence:
· Document all details related to the attack (logs, affected files, screenshots).
· This information will be useful for forensic analysis and potential legal action.
2. Initiate Recovery Procedures
a. Restore from Backups:
· Identify the latest unaffected backups stored on local and cloud storage.
· Verify the integrity of these backups before restoring data.
b. Clean Infected Systems:
· Use trusted antivirus and anti-malware tools to remove ransomware from infected systems.
· Ensure a thorough scan to confirm all ransomware traces are eliminated.
c. Restore Files:
· Prioritize restoring critical business files and applications first.
· Restore data from the most recent clean backup available on the local file server.
· Use cloud storage version history features to revert to uninfected versions of files if necessary.
3. Post-Incident Activities
a. Investigate and Analyze:
· Conduct a basic root cause analysis to determine how the ransomware entered the system.
· Review security logs and any alerts from security software.
b. Enhance Security Measures:
· Strengthen endpoint protection and monitoring.
· Update all software and apply security patches promptly.
· Configure advanced threat protection features in Microsoft 365.
· Enable and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts.
c. Improve Backup Strategies:
· Ensure both local and cloud backups are regularly tested and updated.
· Implement a 3-2-1 backup strategy: three copies of data, on two different media, with one copy offsite.
d. Educate and Train Employees:
· Conduct basic cybersecurity awareness training focused on phishing and safe
computing practices.
· Regularly remind employees of security policies and procedures.
e. Review and Update Incident Response Plan:
· Refine the incident response plan based on lessons learned from the attack.
· Ensure all key personnel are familiar with their roles and responsibilities in the event of future incidents.
4. Legal and Communication Aspects
a. Report the Incident:
· Notify relevant authorities and regulatory bodies if required.
· Inform customers, partners, and stakeholders as appropriate.
b. Manage Public Relations:
· Prepare a public statement and responses to inquiries.
· Maintain transparency while protecting sensitive information.
By following this guide, a small business can effectively respond to and recover from a ransomware attack, minimizing downtime and data loss while strengthening its defenses against future threats.
If you’re unable to contain the attack, we can help! Keep your systems shut down and click to Call or Email us to schedule a meeting.
