Charleston Ransomware Defense and Recovery Consulting

Ransomware Hot Line: 800-462-8800

24x7 Remote Help from a Top-tier Ransomware Engineer
Ransomware needs time to work its way through a network. For this reason, ransomware attacks are typically launched on weekends and late at night, when IT staff may take longer to recognize a break-in and are less able to organize a rapid and coordinated defense. The more lateral movement ransomware can achieve inside a victim's system, the more time it takes to recover core IT services and scrambled files and the more information can be stolen and posted to the dark web.

Progent's Ransomware Hot Line is intended to guide organizations to carry out the urgent first step in mitigating a ransomware attack by putting out the fire. Progent's online ransomware engineer can help businesses in the Charleston metro area to identify and isolate infected devices and protect clean resources from being compromised.

If your network has been penetrated by any version of ransomware, act fast. Get immediate help by calling Progent's Ransomware Hot Line at 800-462-8800.

Progent's Ransomware Response Expertise Available in Charleston
Modern strains of ransomware such as Ryuk, Maze, Netwalker, and Nephilim encrypt online data and infiltrate any accessible backups. Files synchronized to the cloud can also be impacted. For a poorly defended network, this can make system restoration almost impossible and effectively sets the datacenter back to the beginning. So-called Threat Actors (TAs), the hackers responsible for ransomware attack, insist on a ransom fee for the decryption tools needed to unlock encrypted files. Ransomware attacks also try to exfiltrate information and hackers require an additional payment in exchange for not posting this information or selling it. Even if you can rollback your network to a tolerable point in time, exfiltration can pose a major issue according to the sensitivity of the stolen data.

The restoration work subsequent to ransomware penetration has a number of crucial phases, the majority of which can proceed in parallel if the response workgroup has enough members with the necessary skill sets.

• Quarantine: This time-critical initial step requires blocking the sideways spread of ransomware within your network. The more time a ransomware assault is permitted to go unrestricted, the longer and more costly the restoration process. Because of this, Progent keeps a 24x7 Ransomware Hotline staffed by veteran ransomware recovery engineers. Quarantine activities include cutting off infected endpoints from the network to block the spread, documenting the IT system, and securing entry points.
• Operational continuity: This covers bringing back the IT system to a basic useful level of capability with the least delay. This process is usually the highest priority for the victims of the ransomware assault, who often see it as an existential issue for their business. This activity also requires the broadest array of IT skills that span domain controllers, DHCP servers, physical and virtual servers, desktops, laptops and mobile phones, databases, office and line-of-business apps, network topology, and secure remote access. Progent's ransomware recovery team uses advanced workgroup platforms to coordinate the complicated recovery effort. Progent understands the urgency of working quickly, tirelessly, and in concert with a customer's managers and network support staff to prioritize activity and to get essential services back online as quickly as possible.
• Data recovery: The work required to restore files impacted by a ransomware assault varies according to the condition of the systems, how many files are affected, and which recovery techniques are required. Ransomware attacks can destroy key databases which, if not properly shut down, might have to be rebuilt from the beginning. This can include DNS and Active Directory (AD) databases. Microsoft Exchange and SQL Server rely on AD, and many manufacturing and other business-critical platforms depend on SQL Server. Some detective work may be required to find undamaged data. For instance, undamaged OST files (Outlook Email Offline Folder Files) may exist on staff desktop computers and notebooks that were off line during the assault.
• Setting up modern AV/ransomware defense: ProSight ASM offers small and mid-sized companies the benefits of the same AV technology implemented by many of the world's largest corporations such as Netflix, Citi, and Salesforce. By providing in-line malware blocking, classification, containment, repair and forensics in a single integrated platform, Progent's Active Security Monitoring cuts TCO, simplifies administration, and promotes rapid resumption of operations. The next-generation endpoint protection engine built into in Progent's ProSight Active Security Monitoring was ranked by Gartner Group as the industry's "most visionary Endpoint Protection Platform." Learn about Progent's ProSight Active Security Monitoring next-generation endpoint protection and ransomware recovery.
• Negotiating a settlement with the hacker Progent is experienced in negotiating ransom settlements with hackers. This requires close co-operation with the ransomware victim and the insurance carrier, if there is one. Services include determining the type of ransomware involved in the assault; identifying and making contact with the hacker; verifying decryption capabilities; deciding on a settlement with the ransomware victim and the cyber insurance carrier; negotiating a settlement amount and schedule with the hacker; checking compliance with anti-money laundering sanctions; overseeing the crypto-currency payment to the TA; receiving, reviewing, and using the decryption utility; debugging failed files; creating a pristine environment; remapping and reconnecting drives to match exactly their pre-encryption state; and reprovisioning computers and services.
• Forensic analysis: This process involves learning the ransomware attack's progress throughout the network from beginning to end. This audit trail of the way a ransomware attack progressed through the network assists your IT staff to evaluate the damage and highlights weaknesses in policies or work habits that should be rectified to prevent later breaches. Forensics involves the review of all logs, registry, Group Policy Object, Active Directory, DNS servers, routers, firewalls, scheduled tasks, and core Windows systems to look for anomalies. Forensics is usually given a high priority by the cyber insurance provider. Because forensic analysis can take time, it is vital that other key recovery processes such as operational continuity are executed concurrently. Progent has an extensive team of IT and data security experts with the skills required to carry out activities for containment, business continuity, and data recovery without interfering with forensic analysis.

Contact Progent for Ransomware System Restoration Expertise in Charleston
For ransomware cleanup consulting in the Charleston area, phone Progent at 800-462-8800 or go to Contact Progent.