Ransomware Hot Line: 800-462-8800
24x7 Online Help from a Senior Ransomware Consultant
Ransomware requires time to work its way through a target network. For this reason, ransomware attacks are typically launched on weekends and late at night, when support personnel may take longer to recognize a penetration and are less able to mount a quick and coordinated response. The more lateral movement ransomware is able to manage inside a victim's system, the longer it takes to restore core operations and scrambled files and the more data can be stolen and posted to the dark web.
Progent's Ransomware Hot Line is designed to help organizations to carry out the urgent first phase in responding to a ransomware assault by putting out the fire. Progent's online ransomware engineers can assist organizations in the Calgary area to identify and quarantine breached devices and protect undamaged resources from being compromised.
If your system has been penetrated by any strain of ransomware, act fast. Get help quickly by calling Progent's Ransomware Hot Line at 800-462-8800.
Progent's Ransomware Recovery Expertise Available in Calgary
Modern strains of ransomware like Ryuk, Sodinokibi, DopplePaymer, and Nephilim encrypt online data and infiltrate any available system restores and backups. Data synched to the cloud can also be corrupted. For a vulnerable network, this can make system restoration almost impossible and basically throws the datacenter back to the beginning. Threat Actors (TAs), the cybercriminals behind a ransomware assault, insist on a ransom fee for the decryptors required to recover encrypted data. Ransomware assaults also try to exfiltrate files and TAs demand an extra payment in exchange for not publishing this data on the dark web. Even if you are able to restore your network to a tolerable date in time, exfiltration can pose a big problem according to the nature of the stolen data.
The recovery process subsequent to ransomware incursion has a number of distinct stages, the majority of which can be performed in parallel if the response workgroup has enough people with the required skill sets.
- Containment: This time-critical first step requires blocking the sideways spread of the attack within your IT system. The more time a ransomware assault is allowed to go unchecked, the longer and more expensive the recovery process. Recognizing this, Progent maintains a 24x7 Ransomware Hotline staffed by veteran ransomware recovery experts. Containment activities consist of isolating affected endpoint devices from the rest of network to block the spread, documenting the IT system, and securing entry points.
- System continuity: This covers restoring the network to a basic useful level of functionality with the shortest possible delay. This effort is typically the highest priority for the victims of the ransomware assault, who often perceive it to be a life-or-death issue for their company. This project also requires the broadest range of technical abilities that span domain controllers, DHCP servers, physical and virtual machines, PCs, laptops and mobile phones, databases, office and line-of-business applications, network architecture, and protected endpoint access. Progent's ransomware recovery experts use advanced collaboration tools to coordinate the complex recovery process. Progent understands the importance of working rapidly, continuously, and in unison with a customer's managers and IT staff to prioritize tasks and to get critical resources on line again as quickly as possible.
- Data restoration: The work required to recover files damaged by a ransomware assault varies according to the condition of the network, the number of files that are affected, and what recovery techniques are required. Ransomware assaults can destroy pivotal databases which, if not carefully closed, may have to be reconstructed from the beginning. This can apply to DNS and Active Directory (AD) databases. Exchange and SQL Server depend on Active Directory, and many ERP and other mission-critical applications depend on Microsoft SQL Server. Some detective work could be required to find undamaged data. For instance, undamaged OST files (Outlook Email Offline Folder Files) may exist on employees' PCs and laptops that were not connected during the assault. Progent's ProSight Data Protection Services utilize Altaro VM Backup tools to defend against ransomware via Immutable Cloud Storage. This produces tamper-proof backup data that cannot be erased or modified by anyone including administrators.
- Setting up advanced antivirus/ransomware protection: Progent's ProSight Active Security Monitoring utilizes SentinelOne's behavioral analysis technology to offer small and medium-sized businesses the benefits of the same AV technology deployed by some of the world's biggest corporations such as Walmart, Visa, and NASDAQ. By delivering real-time malware filtering, classification, mitigation, recovery and forensics in a single integrated platform, ProSight ASM reduces TCO, simplifies management, and promotes rapid operational continuity. SentinelOne's next-generation endpoint protection (NGEP) incorporated in Progent's Active Security Monitoring was ranked by Gartner Group as the industry's "most visionary Endpoint Protection Platform." Progent is a SentinelOne Partner, reseller, and integrator. Learn about Progent's ProSight Active Security Monitoring (ASM) next-generation endpoint protection and ransomware defense with SentinelOne technology.
- Negotiation with the hacker Progent is experienced in negotiating settlements with threat actors. This calls for close co-operation with the victim and the cyber insurance carrier, if there is one. Activities include determining the kind of ransomware involved in the attack; identifying and making contact with the hacker persona; verifying decryption tool; budgeting a settlement with the ransomware victim and the cyber insurance provider; establishing a settlement and timeline with the hacker; confirming compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations; carrying out the crypto-currency payment to the hacker; acquiring, reviewing, and using the decryptor utility; troubleshooting failed files; creating a clean environment; remapping and connecting datastores to reflect precisely their pre-attack state; and recovering machines and software services.
- Forensic analysis: This activity is aimed at uncovering the ransomware assault's storyline across the targeted network from beginning to end. This audit trail of the way a ransomware assault travelled within the network helps you to evaluate the damage and uncovers gaps in policies or processes that need to be rectified to prevent later break-ins. Forensics entails the examination of all logs, registry, GPO, Active Directory, DNS, routers, firewalls, scheduled tasks, and core Windows systems to check for changes. Forensic analysis is commonly assigned a high priority by the cyber insurance carrier. Because forensics can be time consuming, it is essential that other important recovery processes like business resumption are pursued in parallel. Progent has an extensive team of information technology and cybersecurity experts with the skills required to perform the work of containment, business continuity, and data restoration without interfering with forensic analysis.
Progent's Qualifications
Progent has provided online and on-premises network services throughout the U.S. for more than 20 years and has earned Microsoft's Partner designation in the Datacenter and Cloud Productivity practice areas. Progent's roster of SMEs includes consultants who have earned advanced certifications in core technology platforms including Cisco infrastructure, VMware virtualization, and major Linux distros. Progent's data security consultants have earned industry-recognized certifications such as CISM, CISSP-ISSAP, GIAC, and CMMC 2.0. (See certifications earned by Progent consultants). Progent also has top-tier support in financial and ERP application software. This broad array of expertise gives Progent the ability to identify and integrate the undamaged pieces of your information system following a ransomware intrusion and reconstruct them quickly into a viable network. Progent has worked with top insurance carriers like Chubb to assist businesses clean up after ransomware attacks.
Contact Progent for Ransomware System Restoration Consulting Services in Calgary
For ransomware cleanup consulting in the Calgary area, call Progent at 800-462-8800 or see Contact Progent.