The Institute for Security and Technology's Ransomware Task Force reported a 73% increase in ransomware attacks from 2022 to 2023.
Increasingly targeted ransomware attacks, has cyber professionals on high alert securing their networks and understandably with a single attack being potentially such a massive loss (both in terms of finance, operational disruption as well as brand damage). A company that relies on its data to operate or grow should make setting in place a defense against ransomware a top priority. But we cannot take any protection measure without knowing what ransomware is all about.
Understanding Ransomware
Ransomware is malware created with the intent to extort money. It works in certain ways such as blocking the user’s access to data, threatening to leak sensitive information, or even wiping out all data, and demands organizations to pay them a hefty amount of fee or “ransom.”
There are majorly 6 types of ransomwares:
- Encryption-based: The attacker encrypts your data making it unreadable without the decryption fees.
- Lock-screen: This locks your screen to disrupt the workflow and use data.
- Scareware: As the name suggests this scares the users with some spoof virus or fake message from law enforcement to urge a user into buying a ransomware-infected anti-virus software.
- Leakware: In this, the attacker steals sensitive information and threatens to leak it.
- Wipers: Wipers scare users into paying ransom with the threat of destroying the information.
- Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): It is a tool for cybercriminals to launch a ransomware attack without needing any technical skills.
Best Defense Against Ransomware
Protecting your organization from malicious actors is becoming a top priority for organizations. They are leaving no stone unturned by creating proactive as well as reactive strategies. To help you understand those strategies better we have listed the best defense against ransomware.
Ransomware Defense Through Fidelis’ EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) Solution
The idea behind Fidelis Endpoint® is that every connected device is a potential attack point for cybercriminals. Keeping an eye on such devices is nearly impossible, specifically for companies that are bigger in size.
Therefore, EDR is an essential tool for business as it works in 5 stages:
- Device Monitoring: Fidelis Endpoint® provides 24/7 surveillance of all devices.
- Flagging an incident: Fidelis’ EDR identifies and flags any anomalies.
- Automated response: It automatically deploys rapid incident response as per predefined rules.
- Threat analysis: Fidelis Endpoint® identifies sophisticated threats at any point along the attack lifecycle in real-time.
- Alerting cybersecurity team: Fidelis EDR also alerts the IT team for further investigation.
Defense Against Ransomware with Fidelis’ NDR (Network Detection and Response) Solution
NDR stands for Network Detection and Response. It functions similarly to EDR, except it is designed to secure the organization’s network. It monitors the inflow and outflow of data through packet analyses, observes a standard pattern, and investigates any deviation from the said pattern. As an advanced automated tool, it stops the breach by blocking any suspicious IP address or isolating the device. Simultaneously alerting the security operations team.
Fidelis Network® also provides sandboxing, network forensics, DLP (Data Loss Prevention), threat intelligence, and automated security rules in one unified solution.
EDR and NDR: A Combined Ransomware Defense Strategy
The best ransomware defense strategy involves multi-layer tools and planning. One of the powerful strategies that work best for defeating any cybercrime is integrating NDR with EDR. It is a holistic approach to cyber security giving you a bird eye view of your network. This combined defense strategy has many benefits such as:
Several industries have successfully integrated EDR and NDR in their defense strategy against any ransomware attack. Data–sensitive organizations specifically in finance and healthcare have evolved their defense and have reported a significant decrease in successful ransomware attempts due to improved detection capabilities.
Steps to Integrate EDR with NDR
Step 1: Choose compatible EDR and NDR solutions
Choose Fidelis Network® and Fidelis Endpoints® as they are compatible and can be integrated through API.
Step 2: Set up data exchange
Configure the EDR solution so it can communicate and share data with the NDR solution.
Step 3: Correlate Data
Use Machine Learning and AI to set up correlation rules to analyze data from both sources.
Step 4: Automate Response Actions
Configure predefined response rules for when a threat is detected.
Step 5: Monitor and Fine Tune
Continuously monitor the integration and conduct regular testing to validate the integration.
- Stay Ahead of Known Vulnerabilities
- End-to-end Ransomware Protection
- Reshapes the Attack Surface
In conclusion, integrating NDR and EDR is a cybersecurity evolution providing organizations with the best defense against ransomware. By using both technologies, organizations can proactively stop any attack and reactively respond to it. But choosing solutions that are not only synergized but are also tailored to your organization is the key. If you are looking for EDR and NDR that can serve your requirement then Fidelis is the answer.
Trusted by many corporate and government bodies alike, we have 20+ years of experience in keeping your data secure.
