Ransomware attacks and remediation cost an average of over half a million dollars in expenses. However, if the correct steps are taken to safeguard data, companies shouldn’t have to pay the ransom, experience pricey remediation, or suffer operational setbacks and downtime.
Below, we’ll walk through the five steps you can take to recover from a ransomware attack and how to establish a smart ransomware remediation plan.
Ransomware remediation is the process of removing ransomware from infected networks. Any ransomware remediation plan should aim to promptly assess the effects of and recover from a cyberattack. IT teams must thoroughly plan and test their response strategy to guarantee quick recovery and limited downtime.
Ransomware remediation can be expensive and time-consuming if you don’t have a strong Ransomware Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) in place. That’s why we’ve put together five steps you might consider taking to create an effective ransomware remediation plan.
If you believe your system has been infected with ransomware, you should immediately disable any transactions or logins online. It’s possible that the hacker already has access to this information, but if not, you don’t want to give them more leverage.
Next, you should identify the device(s) infected with the ransomware. Some signs to look for that could indicate a device is infected are:
If a backup has been altered, it could be a financially devastating consequence. It’s crucial to have all the right measures in place to safeguard your backups from ransomware attacks.
The next step in ransomware remediation is to isolate the infected device(s) from your network. There are a few ways you can do this.
While doing the above may isolate an infected device, keep in mind a hacker may still monitor activity within the device to see if they’ve been detected.
Since there are several types of ransomware, it’s impossible to fully remediate the infected systems without first identifying the type of malware plaguing your system. Some types of ransomware and their characteristics are:
When identifying the type of ransomware that has infected your system(s), look for suspicious behavior or messages on your device.
Ransomware remediation can be handled in a number of ways, and determining which option is best for your organization will boil down to available resources. Some options you might consider include:
In 2022, 59% of victims declined to pay the ransom after being attacked by ransomware. Why? Many companies feel as though paying the ransom won’t guarantee that they get their files and data back. Plus, thanks to the requirements set out by ransomware coverage insurers, more organizations are following stricter backup protocols that allow for easier system restoration in the event of an attack.
While refusing to pay the ransom has both pros and cons, we recommend that you contact authorities, internal and external stakeholders, and prepare a communication strategy across your company. Once you’ve experienced an attack, you need to report it to the FBI, CISA, or U.S. Secret Service.
While there’s no guarantee that your network won’t face more malware threats going forward, the best approach to ransomware remediation also involves the proactive measures you can take to mitigate ransomware from infecting your devices in the first place. You can start by:
As stated, ransomware comes in many different forms. That’s why it’s vital to not miss anything before, during, and after an attack; otherwise, you risk getting hit again or not ridding your devices of the infection properly.
While all that may seem overwhelming, you have options that can lessen the burden the looming cyber threats pose. At Tec-Refresh, we know just how difficult and frustrating it can be to deal with an unexpected ransomware attack, which is why we created a comprehensive guide to assist with your ransomware remediation.
Get your copy of our free Ransomware Recovery Checklist today.