Ransomware protection consists of methods and technologies designed to safeguard IT systems from ransomware—malicious software that encrypts systems, data, and networks, blocking access until a ransom is paid to restore that access.
The goal of ransomware protection is to stop attacks before they result in a full-blown ransomware situation, where files are encrypted and threatened with deletion or damage by hackers.
Ideally, ransomware protection is educational as well as preventative. It helps determine how and when in the attack lifecycle ransomware is deployed, and organizations can use this data to prevent ransomware hackers from gaining a foothold in their networks.
Ransomware isn’t going anywhere
Ransomware attacks have paid off handsomely for cybercriminals, so it’s no surprise that it remains a popular attack type. In fact, 2024 is on track to be ransomware’s highest-grossing year yet, thanks in part to a $75 million payout made by one Fortune 50 company.
Ransomware hackers are expanding beyond traditional targets, putting smaller organizations at risk. Small businesses, museums, and nonprofits often hold valuable data but may have limited security resources. In 2023, the British Library was hit by a ransomware attack that encrypted or deleted data and IT systems. In 2024, healthcare institutions have continued to be favored targets because of the wealth of patient data they must protect.
Three types of ransomware attacks
Some ransom hackers go for the low-hanging-fruit approach, while others are craftier and aim their attacks at specific organizations or people—or go wide with a targeted, high-impact supply chain attack.
Be on the lookout for these three types of ransomware attacks:
Opportunistic attacks
Unlike targeted attacks, where bad actors spend time lurking in an environment waiting for weaknesses to turn up, opportunistic attacks prey on organizations that don’t have strong security postures. Hackers use these attacks to make a quick buck, using tactics such as phishing or scanning to exploit common public-facing vulnerabilities. The goal is to infect a large number of machines in the hope that a handful of victims will pay up.
These attacks also offer a much shorter time to ransom. Once a random attack succeeds, the infection begins and typically spreads very quickly. Once infected, organizations are then forced to pay the ransom to retrieve their data.
Targeted attacks
Crafty attackers looking for big payoffs are more strategic. They’re willing to play the long game to get hold of important data that their targets can’t afford to lose. This means they’re investing their time in targeting specific industries (like healthcare and financial services) that have the most potential to store sensitive data.
Targeted ransomware attacks usually have a longer time to ransom. The hacker may have broken in months earlier and implanted themselves into the network using a back door. Using this access, they can perform reconnaissance and move laterally to a sensitive server before deploying the ransomware. This guarantees that the data that will result in the highest ransom is under the attacker’s control.
Supply chain attacks
Sometimes hackers take the supply chain approach, which is a more sophisticated version of the opportunistic attack. Ransomware hackers will aim for popular third-party software vendors, or supply chain vendors, that have solutions in wide use at many organizations. A successful attack on such a vendor doesn’t just compromise that vendor—it can also reach hundreds or thousands of the software’s customers.
Organizations can reduce exposure to supply chain ransomware attacks by:
- Taming SaaS sprawl: Large organizations might have as many as hundreds of SaaS integrations. An assessment might find that some of them don’t provide enough of a benefit to justify the newly emergent risks. Others could be made expendable by building applications in-house instead.
- Putting providers under a microscope: Develop processes for in-depth assessment of the security posture of the third parties connected to your IT. Third-party cybersecurity risk management platforms can provide both assessment and ongoing monitoring.
What features and tools help protect against ransomware attacks?
Here are some specific actions to take, and features and tools to use, to better protect your organization against a ransomware attack:
Detection
Detection is the backbone of ransomware defense. Swift identification of potential threats is critical—every second counts in minimizing impact during an incident.
Response
A rapid response can prevent an attack from inflicting real harm. Decision support technology empowers teams with effective response strategies, lightens cognitive load, and seamlessly hands off repetitive tasks to automation.
Reliable backups
Backups are a solid defense because there’s less of a need to pay a ransom if the data can simply be restored from another source. But there are questions to ask about backups, too: Are they being updated in real time? Does accessing backups require assistance from a partner that, in the event of a supply chain attack, might themselves be affected? Ongoing testing of backups with a simulated attack approach will help ensure readiness.
Continuously updated systems
Cybercriminals seek out systems running outdated versions of software missing recommended patches because they’re easier to exploit. Develop a foolproof process to make sure no part of your system falls behind in patching updates and vulnerabilities.
Threat intelligence
Today’s crowd-sourced threat intelligence can provide advance warning about supply chain threats or reveal ongoing compromise.
Incident response procedures
Create standardized processes for quarantining infected assets, connecting to backups, and investigating the provenance and technical details of an attack.
Round-the-clock vigilance
Effective ransomware protection must work 24×7, to match the speed and persistence of attackers. Without around-the-clock vigilance, ransomware threats can swiftly evolve into costly breaches, exposing your critical assets to cyber extortion. To stay a step ahead, ransomware protection must zero in on identifying initial threats before they escalate into severe security crises—no matter your industry or organization size.+
Conclusion
Effective ransomware protection requires a comprehensive approach that combines multiple features and tools. Organizations must regularly evaluate and update their protection strategies to address evolving threats and maintain robust defense capabilities. Success depends not just on implementing the right tools, but also on creating a security-conscious culture, supported by well-trained teams and tested procedures.