Tips to Defend Against Ransomware
The number of ransomware attacks continued to rise in 2021, as did the sophistication level of the attacks. It has been reported that more than $600 million in cryptocurrency could be tied to ransomware payments in 2021. With ransomware attacks showing no signs of slowing, there are some tips your business can follow to best defend against ransomware.
Here are some security best practices to follow:
- Data Backups: This is a crucial security best practice to follow. Making sure all your critical data is backed up, can save your business in case of a ransomware attack. Also, having redundancy in backups can help in case the attack happens on a local level.
- Email Security: Most ransomware attacks originate with the click of a corrupt link. Do not open or click any emails, links, and attachments from an unknown or suspicious source.
- System Patching: Your business needs to undertake regular security updates and patching to all critical systems. This includes the entire network, infrastructure, production servers, and end-user workstations. Some of the most high-profile security breaches in the last several years have been because of unpatched systems.
- Intrusion Detection System: An intrusion detection system (IDS) helps in alerting suspicious network traffic and related activity. When properly configured, an IDS becomes an essential element of an organization’s information security framework.
- Blacklist/Whitelist: Applications that are not allowed on your network should be blacklisted. Applications that are allowed should be whitelisted.
- Deny Access Mentality: Start by denying access to applications for all users and only add their permissions once you deem it necessary and safe. The best way to protect your data and business is to only give users the minimum and necessary access and permissions to systems to perform their job.
- Vulnerability Scans: Scanning internal and external systems is essential to identifying critical security gaps and vulnerabilities.
- Penetration Testing: When performed at least once a year, penetration testing can report on the overall security level of one’s IT environment. These are now required in many regulatory compliance mandates.
- Remote Work Policy: This has become very important since the pandemic. Many organizations sent their employees home quickly and were just flying by the seat of their pants. You need to have comprehensive policies and procedures that outline remote work practices.
This list is not mean to be all-inclusive, but more act as a starting point to help in your journey to protect your business against ransomware.
If you would like more information on any of the above security best practices or want help implementing the security solutions that can best protect your business, give us a call today. 2W Tech is a technology service provider specializing in solutions for the manufacturing industry. We have IT Consultants on staff that have vast experience working with various security solutions, in a variety of IT environments.
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