Ransomware Hot Line: 800-462-8800
24x7 Online Access to a Senior Ransomware Engineer
Ransomware needs time to steal its way across a target network. Because of this, ransomware assaults are typically launched on weekends and at night, when support staff may take longer to become aware of a breach and are least able to organize a rapid and coordinated response. The more lateral progress ransomware can make within a target's network, the longer it will require to recover core IT services and damaged files and the more data can be stolen and posted to the dark web.
Progent's Ransomware Hot Line is intended to guide organizations to complete the time-critical first phase in responding to a ransomware attack by stopping the bleeding. Progent's online ransomware experts can assist businesses in the Oxford metro area to locate and quarantine breached devices and protect clean assets from being compromised.
If your network 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 Response Expertise Offered in Oxford
Modern variants of crypto-ransomware such as Ryuk, Sodinokibi, DopplePaymer, and Egregor encrypt online files and invade any available system restores and backups. Data synchronized to the cloud can also be impacted. For a poorly defended environment, this can make system restoration almost impossible and effectively sets the IT system back to square one. Threat Actors (TAs), the cybercriminals behind a ransomware assault, demand a settlement fee for the decryption tools needed to recover scrambled files. Ransomware assaults also attempt to exfiltrate information and TAs require an extra settlement in exchange for not posting this data on the dark web. Even if you are able to restore your network to an acceptable point in time, exfiltration can be a big problem depending on the sensitivity of the stolen data.
The restoration work after a ransomware penetration involves several crucial stages, the majority of which can be performed in parallel if the recovery workgroup has enough people with the necessary experience.
- Containment: This urgent first response involves arresting the lateral spread of the attack across your IT system. The longer a ransomware attack is allowed to go unrestricted, the longer and more expensive the restoration effort. Recognizing this, Progent keeps a round-the-clock Ransomware Hotline staffed by veteran ransomware recovery experts. Quarantine processes include isolating affected endpoint devices from the network to block the spread, documenting the IT system, and securing entry points.
- Operational continuity: This covers restoring the IT system to a minimal useful level of capability with the least delay. This process is typically the highest priority for the targets of the ransomware attack, who often see it as an existential issue for their business. This activity also demands the broadest range of IT abilities that cover domain controllers, DHCP servers, physical and virtual servers, desktops, laptops and mobile phones, databases, office and mission-critical apps, network architecture, and protected remote access management. Progent's ransomware recovery experts use state-of-the-art collaboration tools to coordinate the multi-faceted restoration effort. Progent appreciates the urgency of working quickly, continuously, and in unison with a client's managers and IT staff to prioritize activity and to get critical resources on line again as quickly as possible.
- Data restoration: The work necessary to restore data damaged by a ransomware assault varies according to the condition of the network, how many files are encrypted, and which recovery techniques are required. Ransomware attacks can take down pivotal databases which, if not properly shut down, may need to be rebuilt from scratch. This can include DNS and Active Directory databases. Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft SQL Server depend on AD, and many manufacturing and other mission-critical platforms are powered by Microsoft SQL Server. Some detective work could be needed to find clean data. For example, undamaged Outlook Email Offline Folder Files may have survived on staff desktop computers and laptops that were not connected during the ransomware assault. Progent's ProSight Data Protection Services utilize Altaro VM Backup tools to protect against ransomware attacks via Immutable Cloud Storage. This produces tamper-proof data that cannot be erased or modified by anyone including administrators.
- Deploying modern antivirus/ransomware protection: Progent's ProSight Active Security Monitoring utilizes SentinelOne's machine learning technology to give small and mid-sized businesses the advantages of the same AV technology used by many of the world's biggest corporations including Netflix, Citi, and Salesforce. By delivering real-time malware filtering, classification, mitigation, repair and analysis in a single integrated platform, Progent's ProSight ASM cuts TCO, streamlines administration, and promotes rapid operational continuity. SentinelOne's next-generation endpoint protection engine incorporated in Progent's ProSight ASM was ranked by Gartner Group as the "most visionary Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP)." Progent is a SentinelOne Partner, dealer, and integrator. Read about Progent's ProSight Active Security Monitoring (ASM) endpoint protection and ransomware recovery with SentinelOne technology.
- Negotiation with the hacker Progent is experienced in negotiating ransom settlements with hackers. This requires close co-operation with the victim and the cyber insurance carrier, if there is one. Services include establishing the kind of ransomware used in the assault; identifying and establishing communications the hacker persona; testing decryption capabilities; deciding on a settlement with the ransomware victim and the cyber insurance carrier; establishing a settlement and timeline with the TA; confirming adherence to anti-money laundering (AML) sanctions; carrying out the crypto-currency payment to the hacker; receiving, learning, and operating the decryption utility; debugging decryption problems; building a clean environment; mapping and connecting drives to match exactly their pre-encryption state; and recovering physical and virtual devices and services.
- Forensics: This process is aimed at uncovering the ransomware assault's storyline across the network from start to finish. This audit trail of the way a ransomware assault progressed within the network helps you to assess the damage and brings to light vulnerabilities in rules or work habits that should be rectified to prevent future breaches. Forensics involves the review of all logs, registry, GPO, Active Directory (AD), DNS servers, routers, firewalls, schedulers, and core Windows systems to check for variations. Forensics is usually given a high priority by the insurance provider. Since forensic analysis can take time, it is vital that other key activities like business resumption are pursued concurrently. Progent has an extensive roster of information technology and cybersecurity experts with the knowledge and experience needed to perform the work of containment, business continuity, and data restoration without disrupting forensic analysis.
Progent's Background
Progent has delivered remote and on-premises IT services across the United States for more than two decades and has earned Microsoft's Partner designation in the Datacenter and Cloud Productivity competencies. Progent's roster of subject matter experts (SMEs) includes professionals who have earned advanced certifications in foundation technology platforms such as Cisco networking, VMware virtualization, and popular distributions of Linux. Progent's data security experts have earned prestigious certifications such as CISM, CISSP, CRISC, and CMMC 2.0. (Refer to Progent's certifications). Progent also offers guidance in financial and Enterprise Resource Planning software. This scope of expertise gives Progent the ability to salvage and consolidate the undamaged parts of your information system after a ransomware intrusion and rebuild them quickly into a functioning network. Progent has collaborated with top cyber insurance providers like Chubb to assist businesses clean up after ransomware attacks.
Contact Progent for Ransomware System Recovery Consulting in Oxford
For ransomware cleanup consulting services in the Oxford area, call Progent at 800-462-8800 or see Contact Progent.