Ransomware: A Growing Threat to Data Security

Ransomware, a malicious form of malware, encrypts files on devices, rendering them and the associated systems unusable. This cyber threat involves a demand for ransom in exchange for file decryption. Evolving over time, malicious actors have enhanced their tactics, adopted a more destructive approach and engaged in “double extortion” by exfiltrating and threatening to release victim data.

Double Extortion Tactics: Pressuring Victims to Pay

In the purview of ransomware, the dual strategy of encrypting files and extracting sensitive data, followed by threats to expose the information, is known as “double extortion.” This technique puts additional pressure on victims to meet ransom demands.

Beyond Encryption: Data Exfiltration Threats

In some instances, threat actors may solely rely on data exfiltration as a means of extortion without employing traditional ransomware encryption. This shift in tactics poses a distinct challenge for organizations grappling with the potential release of sensitive information.

Impact on Business Processes: Navigating Economic and Reputational Consequences

Ransomware and associated data breaches can significantly disrupt business processes, leaving organizations unable to access vital data essential for operations and the delivery of mission-critical services. The resulting economic and reputational consequences prove to be daunting and expensive for organizations of all sizes, both during the initial disruption and in the extended recovery phase.

Safeguarding Against Ransomware and Data Extortion: Best Practices

Strategic Preparedness Measures

Enhance your defense against ransomware and data extortion by implementing strategic preparedness measures. These recommended practices are in line with Comprehensive Protection Guidelines (CPGs) established by CISA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Adherence to CPGs

Ensure compliance with the CPGs, which serve as a foundational framework for recommended practices. Developed by CISA and NIST, these guidelines offer a minimum set of practices and protections to be adopted by all organizations. The CPGs are derived from existing cybersecurity frameworks and guidance, aimed at safeguarding against prevalent threats, tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Proactive Prevention Strategies

Take a proactive approach to prevent ransomware incidents by incorporating the recommended best practices into your cybersecurity strategy. By aligning with the CPGs, organizations can establish robust preventive measures against common and impactful cyber threats.

Mitigation Through Baseline Protections

Mitigate the risks associated with ransomware and data extortion by incorporating baseline protections outlined in the CPGs. Visit CISA’s Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals for detailed information on the CPGs and the recommended baseline protections. Adopting these measures will contribute to a resilient cybersecurity posture and enhance overall organizational security.

Ransomware and Data Extortion Preparedness

Backup and Recovery Strategies

Maintain Encrypted Offline Backups: Store critical data offline to prevent ransomware interference and regularly test backup integrity.

Golden Images for System Rebuilding: Keep preconfigured system templates for quick deployment in case of a system rebuild.

Infrastructure Management

Utilize Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Deploy and update cloud resources using version controlled IaC, keeping backups offline.

Store Software Separately: Keep source code or executables with offline backups for efficient system rebuilding.

Hardware Considerations

Retain Backup Hardware: Have backup hardware for system rebuilding when needed.

Update Out-of-Date Hardware: Replace obsolete hardware to avoid installation and compatibility issues during system restoration.

Cloud Solutions

Explore Multi-Cloud Options: Adopt a multi-cloud approach for cloud-to-cloud backups to avoid vendor lock-in.

Immutable Storage Caution: Use immutable storage cautiously, considering compliance criteria and potential misconfigurations.

Incident Response Planning

Develop and Exercise Incident Response Plans: Create and regularly exercise cyber incident response plans, including communication procedures.

Adhere to Data Breach Notification Laws: Ensure compliance with state laws and notify relevant authorities and individuals in the event of a data breach.

Regulatory Compliance

Follow Applicable Regulations: Abide by specific regulations for breaches involving health information (FTC, HHS) and personally identifiable information (PII).

CEO Approval for IRP: Obtain written approval from the CEO for incident response plans, ensuring understanding across the organizational chain of command.

Cyber Incident Response Guidance

Refer to Incident Response Resources: Explore available incident response guidance, utilizing checklists and playbooks for effective response.

Implement Zero Trust Architecture: Enforce granular access controls with a zero-trust architecture to prevent unauthorized data and service access.

Preventing and Mitigating Ransomware and Data Extortion

Best Practices Overview

Refer to the following best practices to prevent and mitigate ransomware and data extortion incidents, organized by common initial access vectors.

Addressing vulnerabilities and misconfigurations exposed to the internet.

Service Protection: Avoid exposing services like remote desktop protocol on the web or apply compensating controls if necessary.

Vulnerability Scanning: Regularly scan for and address vulnerabilities, particularly on internet-facing devices.

Timely Patching: Prioritize timely patching of internet-facing servers, especially for known exploited vulnerabilities.

Cloud Migration: Consider migrating to managed cloud providers to reduce system maintenance roles.

Secure Configuration: Properly configure on-premises, cloud services, and devices, disabling unused ports and protocols.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Codify cloud resource configurations, test templates, and monitor for configuration drift.

RDP Best Practices: Apply best practices for Remote Desktop Protocol, including account lockouts, MFA, and audit logs.

VPN Security: Update VPNs, network devices, and remote devices with latest patches; implement MFA on all VPN connections.Compromised Credentials

MFA Implementation: Implement phishing-resistant MFA, escalating non-compliance to senior management.

Password Security: Enforce strong password policies, use password managers, and disable browser password saving.

Account Protection: Separate admin and user accounts, change default admin credentials, and enforce account lockouts.

Credential Monitoring: Subscribe to credential monitoring services and implement identity and access management (IAM).

Zero Trust Access: Implement strong access policies and zero trust access control, especially for key management.

Phishing

User Training: Conduct cybersecurity awareness training to identify and report phishing incidents.

Email Security: Flag external emails, filter malicious indicators, and enable attachment filters.

DMARC Implementation: Implement Domain-based Message Authentication to prevent email spoofing.

Macro and Script Security: Disable macros, Windows Script Host, and ensure macro scripts are disabled in Office files.

Precursor Malware Infection

Automatic Updates: Use automatic updates for antivirus and anti-malware tools and escalate warnings to security personnel.

Application Allowlisting: Implement application allowlisting and endpoint detection to control executable software.

Intrusion Detection: Consider implementing intrusion detection systems to detect malicious network activity.

Advanced Social Engineering

Training Policies: Incorporate cybersecurity awareness training on advanced social engineering regularly.

Protective DNS: Implement Protective Domain Name System (DNS) to block malicious internet activity.

Sandboxed Browsers: Consider sandboxed browsers to isolate host machines from web-borne malware.

External entities and MSPs beyond the organizational scope.

Risk Management: Assess and monitor the risk and cyber hygiene practices of third parties and MSPs.

Least Privilege: Enforce least privilege and separation of duties when granting access to third parties.

Service Control Policies: Create service control policies for cloud resources to restrict specific actions within services

General Security Practices and Infrastructure Hardening

Asset Management and Critical System Identification

 Thorough asset management

• Maintain a thorough approach to asset management [CPG 1.A].
• Inventory both logical (data, software) and physical (hardware) IT assets.

Prioritizing vital Assets

Identify and prioritize critical data and systems for health, safety, and revenue generation.

• Implement comprehensive security controls for critical assets with organization-wide coordination.

Ensuring Secure Documentation Storage

• Safely store IT asset documentation.
• Keep offline backups and physical hard copies on-site.
• Least Privilege Principle

Least Privilege Access Control

• Apply the principle of least privilege to all systems and services [CPG 2.E].
• Restrict user permissions for software installations.

Cloud Resource Restrictions

• Restrict user/role permissions for cloud-based resources.
• Limit actions on customer-managed keys by specific users/roles.
• Remote Access and Administration Controls

Secure Remote Access

• Block local accounts from remote access using group policy.
• Utilize Windows Defender Remote Credential Guard and restricted admin mode for RDP sessions.

Account Management and Hardening

Remove unnecessary accounts and groups, restricting root access.

Audit Active Directory for excessive privileges and use the Protected Users AD group for enhanced security.

Infrastructure Resilience and Hypervisor Security

• Ensure the update and hardening of all hypervisors and associated IT infrastructure.
• Protect against emerging ransomware targeting virtualization infrastructure.

Cloud Environment Best Practices

• Leverage best practices and security settings for cloud environments.
• Understand customer responsibility in the shared responsibility model.

Deploying Data Protection and Backup Strategies

• Backup data regularly, either offline or through cloud-to-cloud backups.
• Enable logging on all resources and set alerts for abnormal usage.

Storage Protection Measures

• Enable delete protection or object lock on storage resources targeted in ransomware attacks.
• Consider enabling version control for easier recovery from unintended actions.

Secure Cloud Access

• Use signed API requests for custom programmatic access to the cloud.
• Mitigate malicious use of remote access and RMM software.

Network Segmentation and Documentation

• Implement logical or physical network segmentation using Zero Trust Architecture.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive network diagrams.

Diagram Development and Storage

• Regularly update network diagrams depicting systems and data flows.
• Securely store network documentation, keeping offline backups and hard copies on-site.

Alliance PRO Ransomware Incident Response Checklist

Detection and Analysis

• Swiftly identify and isolate affected systems.
• Consider temporary network isolation at the switch level for widespread impact.

Critical System Prioritization

• Prioritize isolation of critical systems essential for daily operations.
• Utilize out-of-band communication to prevent alerting malicious actors.

Power Down Devices

In challenging isolation scenarios, power down devices to prevent ransomware spread.

Cloud Resource Snapshot

Capture snapshots of cloud resources for forensic investigation.

Triage and Analysis

Restoration Planning

• Triage impacted systems, focusing on critical assets for health, safety, or revenue.
• Collaborate with the team for an initial incident understanding.

Detection System Examination

Examine detection systems for precursor malware evidence.

Threat Hunting

• Conduct threat hunting for advanced malware variants.
• Monitor unexpected usage of remote access tools or PowerShell.

Reporting and Notification

Engage Internal and External Teams

• Follow incident response plan notification requirements.
• Report the incident to relevant authorities and coordinate with stakeholders.

Information Sharing

Share information timely with management, security providers, and law enforcement.

Data Breach Notification

Adhere to data breach notification requirements if applicable.

Containment and Eradication

Evidence Preservation

Capture system images and memory to preserve volatile evidence.

Mitigation Actions

• Research guidance for the ransomware variant.
• Disable known ransomware binaries to minimize damage.

Account and System Identification

• Identify breached systems and accounts.
• Contain associated systems to prevent unauthorized access.

Persistence Mechanism Analysis

• Conduct extended analysis to identify persistence mechanisms.
• Rebuild systems based on critical service prioritization.

Recovery and post-incident

Reconnect and Restore

• Safely reconnect systems and restore data from encrypted backups.
• Ensure clean system recovery without reinfection.

Lessons Learned

• Document insights for refining policies, plans, and procedures.
• Inform future organizational exercises based on incident lessons.

Empowering Your Security with Alliance PRO

Elevate your cybersecurity posture and confidently navigate the intricate world of ransomware prevention with our battle-tested practices. Stay resilient, stay secure – choose Alliance PRO for proactive cybersecurity excellence. Protect your organization with Alliance PRO’s comprehensive Ransomware Incident Response Checklist – your strategic guide to swift detection, thorough analysis, and effective containment against evolving threats.