Operational Intelligence for MFT

Ransomware prevention & amp: Recovery with Syncplicity by Axway

ransomware prevention

Saying ransomware is a growing threat is an understatement. With multiple public warnings from US and European law enforcement, a growing tally of high-profile incidents and new guidance on HIPAA breach notifications, business leaders across industries are justifiably nervous. While there is no foolproof way to prevent an attack, there are measures you can put in place to defend against this destructive type of malware for better ransomware prevention.

Additionally, when an attack does slip through the defenses, a quick recovery is possible if you have a solid remediation plan in place. This is where ransomware prevention comes into play.

Ransomware prevention

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” With that adage in mind, here are a few practical guidelines you and your organization should implement today. To get the maximum ransomware prevention from Syncplicity by Axway, be sure to check out the links below for detailed instructions to implement these tips.

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Back up files in real-time

While there is no single solution for preventing ransomware attacks, a consistent recommendation from experts across the industry is “Backup, Backup, Backup.” For most enterprise users (and consumers), that’s easier said than done. It’s a behavior that often requires extra manual steps and backup jobs that usually never complete.

However, with Syncplicity by Axway, continuous backup is easy and seamless. Files and folders are backed up automatically in real-time. This means you start syncing all your folders just once and move on, eliminating worries about data loss.

Utilize multi-folder sync

Our unique EFSS feature, Multi-Folder Sync, allows users to back up every folder on their desktop automatically. The design of this features allows users and admins to sync all files and folders in place without moving them to a “magic folder.” In the unfortunate event, your company or a user is breached by ransomware, they have backups of every file in every folder on Syncplicity by Axway. Not just a few files they remembered to copy to the single “magic” sync folder of other effective EFSS solutions.

We recommend that you educate your users to sync all their critical files and folders. This includes Desktop and My Documents. As an administrator, you also have the ability to proactively specify the sync of any desktop folders to ensure that your corporate users are safe.

Establish an enterprise retention policy

The most common ransomware variants attack by deleting files and replacing them with renamed encrypted versions. Or, by retaining filenames and encrypting the contents in place. In both cases, Syncplicity by Axway retention policies will enable you to ensure the files can be recovered.

The Syncplicity by Axway deleted files retention policy allows you to retain deleted files forever or for a specified time period. This helps so your original files can be retrieved after they are deleted by ransomware. Administrators should also review your file versions retention policy which controls how long prior versions of a file are saved after they have been edited or overwritten.

Exclude risky file types

To contain and stop the spread of an attack, administrators can block problem file types from syncing. Syncplicity by Axway File Type Exclusion Policy gives you the ability to preemptively block known crypto document types, for example, those with the .locky and .crypt filename extension, and also block potentially malicious executables such as .vbs, .scr and .exe.

Eliminate or reduce e-mail attachments

Ransomware often enters a system via e-mail when a user unknowingly sets it loose within the organization by opening an infected attachment. One way to reduce your organization’s risk is to train employees to use Syncplicity by Axway to share links to files rather than opening documents directly from their e-mail clients. The Syncplicity by Axway Outlook Add-In automatically transforms email attachments to links or users can copy a Syncplicity by Axway shared link into the body of an e-mail message.

Establish a recovery plan

The restoration process after a ransomware attack can be time-consuming and costly resulting in a significant business impact. The attackers are betting that you’ll pay the ransom to get business moving again. However, with Syncplicity by Axway, the most critical component of your remediation strategy, recovery of the locked files, is covered.

With your retention policies and multi-folder sync now in place, users can restore files to prior unlocked versions and restore deleted files using the Syncplicity by Axway interface.

Enterprises that have been hit with system-wide breaches impacting multiple users and thousands of files should contact Syncplicity by Axway for assistance.

As the ROI continues to be attractive for attackers, it will likely be some-time before the current wave of ransomware attacks subsides. By following industry guidance and the strategies outlined above you can avoid being the next victim in the headlines. Ransomware prevention is a must on every company’s list.

Learn more why every company needs a ransomware recovery plan.