Ransomware has evolved and businesses need to up their disaster recovery strategies

With the increased incidences of ransomware attacks, it is not a matter of if you will be a victim but when. Imagine a situation where you are on a website and you click on something interesting and all of a sudden a warning message pops up where you are informed that you cannot access your files, databases, and documents. The message goes further to warn you not to try anything, and the only thing that can save your situation is paying for decryption.

You are a victim of a ransomware attack. Your business has joined a list of victims of incidences that have become rampant. A recent study has found that the majority of ransomware attacks had been successful. This calls for businesses to have in place a ransomware-proof system if they are to avoid the losses that come as a result of the attacks.

Disaster recovery has been simplistic, where business data protection involved regular backing up of files as well as implementing regulatory compliance measures. In an event of a breach, it was easy to recover without much effort. However, this is no longer the case, malware has evolved and firms are rethinking the disaster recovery approach.

Ransomware targeting backups

Ransomware attacks are not just targeting systems files but also backups. The effectiveness of shared networks may sometimes make firms overlook some of the risks that may come with such a system. For instance, systems may be compromised by the association in a network; where ransomware exploits vulnerabilities allowing the attack to encrypt backups. In such an incident, the victim is left with no way out; one has to pay to get back the files. Attackers have amplified their efforts, they are not just targeting a single machine but going further and locking backups as well.

Optimisation of disaster recovery strategies with attacks in mind is an effective way to avoid the losses that come with such incidences. Here are effective ways you can achieve that:

Backup isolation

Availing your data on a network is convenient but this can make be extremely vulnerable to attacks as ransomware looks to encrypt all components with backups included. You need to isolate backup copies from production servers and distribute them in multiple locations.

Is cloud impervious and should we entirely trust it? Cloud is often well guarded but it is not impervious to attacks. There have been cases of firms in a cloud-based network falling victim to ransomware attacks where although none reported infections there were serious disruptions. Such incidences show that the cloud should not be trusted hundred per cent, it should not be the only backup solution.

Regular monitoring of backups will preempt an attack

Responding to an attack is as important as prevention. There are usually some early signs that can warn of an imminent attack. It is only through regular monitoring that you can detect attacks in their early stages.

Optimisation and testing processes

While it may be expensive to perform daily backups, there is a need to ask yourself whether you can stand losing a week’s or so long data. Regular and extensive optimisation and testing of the disaster recovery plan is very critical to reduce the damage that can be inflicted by the attacks.

A good backup plan may be good protection against ransomware but with the advancement of the attacks, businesses need to revisit their disaster recovery plan. Measures should be put in place to ensure there is early detection and regular tests. This may not entirely prevent ransomware attacks but can reduce the heavy losses that come with such incidences.