Download: How XDR Platforms Are Changing The Game For Ransomware Protection

There seems to be a new ransomware story every day – a new
ransomware attack, a new ransomware technique, criminals not
providing encryption keys after receiving ransom payments, private
data being publicly released by ransomware attackers—it never
ends.

Just last month, the FBI, the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
Agency (CISA) issued a report warning of an imminent threat of
ransomware attacks on US hospitals and health care providers.

The list of ransomware variants is long and growing, including
Maze, Ragnar Locker, Netlocker, Wastedlocker, FTCode, Tycoon,
TrickBot, REvil, and many more.

Ransomware uses a variety of techniques to infect systems and
ultimately steal and/or encrypt a company’s files. Many of the
techniques are known, but new, unknown techniques can arrive at any
moment.

SMEs Are Particularly Vulnerable

A recent whitepaper about new ways XDR platform protects from
ransomware [download here^[1]] notes that small to
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly vulnerable to
ransomware attacks. SMEs generally have fewer protection mechanisms
in place and less skilled cybersecurity staff as compared to larger
enterprises.

The key to defending against ransomware is first, preventing it
from infecting any system in the first place. But, if ransomware
does gain a foothold, it’s critical to immediately detect the
infection and kill all related ransomware processes, along with
isolating all infected machines to contain the infection. So the
best approach for defending against ransomware is first prevention,
followed by rapid detection, containment, and removal.

Live webinar: A layered, unified platform approach for
ransomware protection

Cynet’s new ransomware protection overview lays out how the
company relies on multiple preventions, detection, and remediation
layers to prevent its clients from falling victim to
ransomware.

The Cynet approach seems to respond to the current complexities
of ransomware:

1. First, with ransomware continuously changing attack techniques,
   it is increasingly difficult to detect.
2. Second, because ransomware can quickly lock machines and files,
   it’s important to kill all ransomware components and isolate
   infected devices immediately.
3. Third, because one never knows how long ransomware has been
   present in the environment and the extent of the infection, it must
   be fully routed out across the entire environment.

To register for a live demonstration of the Cynet XDR layered
approach for ransomware protection, click here^[2].

Cynet’s multiple protection layers to prevent ransomware

Because Cynet is routinely called in to help companies that have
fallen victim to ransomware conduct a full Incident Response,
they’ve developed a remarkably robust set of ransomware
protections.

Unfortunately, many companies only learn about the importance of
having comprehensive ransomware protections in place after
experiencing the devastation caused by being a ransomware
victim.

Prevention and Detection

Cynet’s solution starts with multiple preventions and detection
techniques, including common next-generation antivirus (NGAV), and
adds in real-time memory protection to detect ransomware
behaviors from unknown variants, critical component
filtering to prevent ransomware from harvesting credentials
and spreading, real-time file filtering to prevent
ransomware from altering existing files and deception
technology to lure ransomware into accessing decoy hosts and
files.

Investigation and Remediation

While most ransomware protection solution providers focus almost
exclusively on prevention and detection, Cynet also places
considerable emphasis on quickly and thoroughly responding to
ransomware attacks post-detection.

Importantly, Cynet emphasizes that the prevention and detection
of an attack instance are critical, but only the first step.
Companies must assume that the malicious artifact identified is
only the tip of an iceberg.

Example of Cynet’s Remediation Playbook for Automatically Responding to Ransomware Alerts

Cynet automatically triggers an automated investigation
following each endpoint, user, or network alert, to disclose its
root cause and scope and apply required remediation actions across
the environment. Because Cynet is an XDR solution, it can apply a
very broad range of remediation actions directly from its platform
across endpoints, networks, users, and files.

They also provide automated remediation playbooks, which are
very valuable for stringing multiple remediation actions together
to respond to ransomware threats.

Final Thoughts

After speaking with several representatives from companies that
have had to dig themselves out of a widespread ransomware
infection, you definitely do not want to be in that situation.
Every single one wished they had better protections in place so
they could have avoided the excruciating experience.

Having a broad arsenal of prevention, detection, and response
tools are critical to prevent your company from becoming the next
ransomware victim.

Download the Ransomware Protection Overview
here^[3].