Secure Data and Protect Information Assets against Ransomware with NetApp Data Protection Certification

Protecting data asset from ransomware hasn't been this difficult before. The strain of the threat is now crawling beyond just locking down a device or machine. Today, cybercriminals are infecting machines and even encrypting data to keep the authorities from accessing it until the ransom is paid. There are various malicious software that hold data to get a ransom against it, and unfortunately, these tactics are becoming wildly successful. If we look at the recent ransomware incidents like Samsam, WannaCry, and Cerber, we can witness the pattern of the threat and how it cost business resources, time, and reputation.

Organizations, on the other hand, are under tremendous pressure to address the issue and take actions to minimize the losses as much as possible. Keeping the growing ransomware threat in mind, security is the number one concern that most businesses are dealing with right now regardless of the industry or size.

Ransomware Dos and Don'ts

The nefarious business of threatening with ransomware has been quite a success for criminals out there. Since the threat only continues to grow with time, the law enforcement team has joined hands with international agencies to track and bring down the operators. While it's important to put an end to these scams, it is equally important for businesses to strengthen then protection standards. In fact, most ransomware attacks were a result of poor protection practices, which also involved human errors.

Here are few dos and don'ts that could help an organization be more prepared:

How to Deal with Ransom

While paying the ransom may seem like the only option, it's not wise to do it right away. Having information assets and sensitive data locked down is a situation to panic, but paying the ransom right away funds and encourages the attackers. After all, there's no guarantee that the criminals would give you back your access even after the ransom is paid. It is best to implement law enforcement and involve relevant agencies if things get out of control.

Backup

In addition to implementing strong security policies, an organization must also consider a reliable backup for data assets. If access is the only thing you are worried about then restoring your files from a backup is the best and most convenient way to regain access.

Do Not Become a Victim to a Phishing Scam

Phishing is undoubtedly the most common ransomware practice. In fact, this is where you can lose your access by your own mistake. Providing personal information like names, passwords, and other details on unknown emails, text messages, phone calls, can cause a security breach. Phishers are smart people. They do not work with fake-looking emails or websites. They spend time in creating a scam that appears legit and trustworthy. Educating and training the employees can be the best bet to deal with such a situation. It's best to contact the IT department if you receive suspicious emails or calls.

Use Antivirus Software

Firewall and antivirus software are a must to secure data and protect information assets. Having a strong security system through reliable software is critical. While there are many available out there, it is best to use software from a reputable company to guarantee results.

Filtration

It's important to carry out filtration on a regular basis on content and mail servers. Scan inbound emails to identify threats and block any attachment that you find suspicious.

Disconnect Network

If you open a file that you suspect could be malicious, be very efficient and disconnect from the network or Wi-Fi as quickly as possible. The idea is to halt the communication with the server before the files are completely encrypted and taken over. If you disconnect right away, you can save yourself from the damage. You may not be able to encrypt all the files, but you can still keep the criminals from causing you maximum damage. This technique, however, is not foolproof. If you are not quick enough, the malware will take over, and you can become a victim of ransomware.

Why You Need NetApp Data Protection Certification  

NetApp training provides the best solution in the industry for ransomware remediation. Your primary data may get infected, but you will still be able to recover and restore your information assets through backups. In addition to raising the bar for security standards, organizations must also consider offering NetApp training and certification to the employees to carry out data protection at its best. There's no security without visibility. If malware has infected your data system and encrypted information, the rate of data change fluctuates. At the same time, storage efficiencies such as compression and deduplication decrease.

Of course, a change in the data rate is a key indicator of malware presence. With NetApp training, the trained individuals can use monitoring tools to identify malware activity. It also enables the team to understand the functions and processes of Snapshot Copies - a built-in feature of NetApp ONTAP Storage management software. The backup stored in this system are read-only copies, which makes them impossible to encrypt corruption-free. The Snapshot solution also provides the granularity as per your personal preference with regards to the disaster recovery.

The IT team that understand NetApp and its associated tools will be way more efficient in detecting ransomware and use the tools to increase the volume of backup activity on the storage system. It copies to identify the root of infection so you can use the Snapshot copy for immediate remediation. Additionally, it also helps the team use an uninfected copy to consider recovery point objectives (RPOs) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs). Undoubtedly, implementing and making the most out of these solutions require proper skills and knowledge that can be learned through NetApp training.  

Malware and security threats lurk on Macs, Windows PCs, iOS, and Android devices. If your organization is using more than one system or device - like in most cases - it is essential to set up an all-in-one security system. And that's exactly what NetApp can help you with!