Ransomware is a nightmare…

Seven ways an MSP is your defence against a Ransomware attack.

Cyberattacks on individuals and businesses for nasty purposes is nothing new. Stealing data, disrupting business, national activities, and just causing general mayhem has been going on for as long as there has been a digital world to attack. Ransomware, however, seems to stand out as a particularly unique and especially troublesome form of crime. For one thing, once an attack has happened, there is likely nothing to do to retrieve your data until you have given in to the demands of the criminals.

As a small- to medium- sized business owner, you should never just rely on off-the shelf virus protection programs as the sole tool to protect your organization against cyber crime. In all cases you should rely on an IT professional to look at every aspect of your IT infrastructure to ensure that everything possible is being done to protect your data. Beyond that, ransomware attacks are a particularly troublesome form of crime that requires special attention. Some of the routine tools to protect data may still be vulnerable to ransomware. This blog will talk about seven specific ways that an MSP is best positioned to help protect you from a ransomware attack.

Before talking about how an MSP can help. Let’s define ransomware. Ransomware is an especially nasty software whose MO is as old as crime: Kidnapping ( in this case, datanapping) Ransomware does this by infiltrating your computer systems and encrypting all of your files, making them unreadable to you. Then like any kidnapper, they post a ransom and hold your data hostage until they get paid. They encrypt your files, rendering them inaccessible to you. The attackers then demand a ransom payment. Ransomware attacks are typically carried out through phishing emails, compromised websites, or exploiting vulnerabilities in software. ( please check out some of our other e-guides on training your employees to avoid phishing emails, and avoiding other easy tricks that criminals use to infiltrate your IT systems.)

What happens once they have encrypted your data? You are probably stuck either paying the ransom or losing the data. In the case of ransomware, sometimes routine backups may be infiltrated. This is why an MSP can be of such value in securing your data against this particular form of cyber crime. The impact of this crime is pretty obvious. Your data–and your customer’s data–is inaccessible. You have almost no choice but to pay the ransom. The loss of data can disrupt daily business activity and damage customer trust. A successful ransomware attack can lead to brand damage, regulatory penalties for data breaches, and potential legal consequences. The overall consequences can be devastating, making it especially important for you to take proactive measures to prevent such attacks.

The basic preventative measures. Are they enough?

In general, there are some basic textbook best practices you can follow

• Educate employees about cybersecurity best practices, including identifying phishing emails and
suspicious links.
• Regularly back up data and ensure offline or offsite storage to prevent data loss in case of
an attack.
• Keep software and systems up to date with the latest security patches.
• Implement robust endpoint protection solutions, including firewalls, antivirus software,
and intrusion detection systems.
• Segment networks to limit the spread of ransomware and restrict access to critical
systems.
• Develop and test a disaster recovery plan to ensure an effective response to an attack.

The basic preventative measures. Are they enough?

In general, there are some basic textbook best practices you can follow

However, straightforward as these appear, these aren’t as simple to implement as they sound and you may not have the time and labour to devote to designing, implementing, and maintaining these procedures. As an SMB, your focus is necessarily focused on operations, revenues, and sales.

Proactive Monitoring and Threat Detection
MSPs employ advanced monitoring tools and technologies to actively monitor your systems and networks for any signs of ransomware activity. Many MSPs offer 24-7 remote monitoring that includes checking for real-time threats. This proactive approach enables early detection of potential ransomware attacks, allowing fast action to be taken to mitigate the risk before the “datanapping” occurs.

Endpoint Security
Your MSP can implement endpoint protection solutions, a fancy term for tools that include firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection applications. These tools are crucial in preventing ransomware from infiltrating your network in the first place. MSPs also work to be sure that these security measures are up to date and properly configured. (Remember: data security isn’t a one-time project. Criminals are always changing their methods, so what protected you last week, may not work today. An MSP has the resources to keep your security up to date.

Backup and Disaster Recovery
One of the most effective defences against ransomware is a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan. MSPs can design and coordinate backup procedures that ensure regular, automated backups of your critical data. These backups are stored securely and can be easily restored in the event of a ransomware attack. MSPs can also coordinate testing the backup restoration process to minimize downtime.

Security evaluations: How safe is your data?
One key way to protect yourself against any crime is to evaluate where you are most vulnerable. Where is the door with the broken lock? MSPs conduct thorough security assessments to identify weaknesses in your infrastructure. They perform regular vulnerability scans to identify potential entry points for ransomware attacks. By identifying and patching vulnerabilities promptly, MSPs significantly reduce the risk of a successful ransomware attack.

Disaster Recovery: Keeping things going
In the event of a successful ransomware attack, MSPs play a critical role in incident response and remediation. They have dedicated teams of cybersecurity experts who are skilled in handling such incidents. MSPs are able to respond swiftly to contain the attack, isolate infected systems, and get you operational as quickly as possible. Their expertise ensures a coordinated and effective response, minimizing the impact of the attack and expediting the restoration of normal operations.

Employee Training
MSPs recognize the importance of every employee in preventing ransomware attacks. As mentioned above, the crude but simple phishing email remains a very effective way to infiltrate an organization’s technology. MSP’s offer training to employees, enabling them to identify and respond to potential threats. By promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness, MSPs help businesses create a human firewall that can actively prevent ransomware attacks. MSPs have the time to focus on creating and maintaining these training programs so that you don’t have to.

24/7 Monitoring and Support
MSPs offer round-the-clock monitoring and support to ensure constant watch against ransomware attacks. They provide timely response to alerts, address security incidents promptly, and offer ongoing support and guidance to businesses. This continuous monitoring and support significantly enhances the overall security level of your organization.

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) play a pivotal role in safeguarding businesses against the growing threat of ransomware. Through proactive monitoring, endpoint protection, backup and disaster recovery planning, security evaluations, incident response, user education, and 24/7 support, MSPs provide comprehensive defence strategies. Engaging the services of an MSP allows businesses to focus on their core operations with the confidence that their data and systems are protected from ransomware attacks Ransomware attacks pose a significant threat to businesses, with the potential for severe financial and brand damage. By understanding the nature of ransomware, adopting preventive measures, and partnering with a managed service provider, you have the greatest possible chance to avoid falling victim to a ransomware attack.