Ransomware Recovery Challenges

Ransomware encrypts data demanding ransom for decryption keys. Effective recovery depends on secure, tested backups that ransomware cannot encrypt. Modern ransomware targets backups, requiring specific protections for recovery capability.

Backup Protection

Protect backups through network isolation, immutable storage preventing modification, offline backups disconnected from networks, separate authentication from production systems, and monitoring for unauthorized backup access or deletion attempts.

Recovery Process

Ransomware recovery includes incident containment and network isolation, forensic investigation identifying infection vector, clean system rebuild or restoration, backup validation ensuring no malware, staged data restoration starting with critical systems, and verification before reconnecting.

Decision Framework

Establish pre-incident decision framework for ransom payment considering: recovery capability from backups, data sensitivity and impact, law enforcement guidance, payment likelihood of successful decryption, and organizational policy on negotiating with criminals.

Post-Recovery Actions

After recovery, conduct incident review, strengthen security controls based on attack vector, enhance backup protection, improve detection capabilities, update incident response plans, and share threat intelligence with community.