Our previous blog post discussed the significance of using backups as the first line of defense against possible security threats. Our second blog is going to focus on protecting endpoints and devices. Endpoint protection tools are designed to secure individual devices, such as desktops, laptops, and servers. Since many ransomware attacks’ initial entry is the endpoint, ensuring your Endpoint AV/EPP and EDR tools are effective is critical to ransomware defense. EPP tools will monitor running processes, including encryption actions, and can stop most known malware. EDR tools will use AI to detect activities common to ransomware attacks and alert when the indicators of an attack are found.
Here are some endpoint defense best practices:
- Prevention of Infection: Endpoint protection solutions employ various security mechanisms such as scanning, behavioral analysis, and heuristics to identify and block known and unknown ransomware threats. By detecting and preventing the execution of malicious code, endpoint protection can stop ransomware from infecting endpoints in the first place.
- Early Detection and Response: If an endpoint does become infected with ransomware, endpoint protection should quickly detect the ransomware activity and alert the security team. This early detection enables prompt action to isolate the compromised endpoint and prevent further spread across the network.
- Threat Intelligence and Updates: Endpoint protection tools leverage threat intelligence feeds and regular updates to stay abreast of the latest ransomware variants. These updates include signatures and behavioral patterns that help identify emerging threats. Keeping the endpoint protection solution up to date ensures it can effectively defend against new ransomware strains.
- Advanced Ransomware attacks aim to overcome or bypass EPP and EDR tools, so these systems must also be monitored for routine activities and regular updates. An advanced attack is likely underway if these systems suddenly show anomalous behaviors, stop updating, or turn off for periods.
- It’s important to note that while endpoint protection is critical, it should be complemented by a multi-layered security strategy that includes other measures such as network security, user education, and regular security patching. A holistic approach to cybersecurity is essential to defend against ransomware and other evolving threats effectively.
Our next blog on Seven Critical Steps to Defeating Ransomware in 2023 will discuss best practices to secure and monitor VPN activity.
To learn more, reach out to CyGlass:
www.cyglass.com/solutions-ransomware-defense
Terms
AV = Antivirus software = Anti-virus software, scans files or your computer looking for malware patterns based on known signatures or definitions of known malware.
EPP = Endpoint Protection Platform = EPP software is anti-virus software plus added defense capabilities, including antispyware, anti-adware, personal firewalls, and host-based intrusion detection and prevention systems.
EDR= Endpoint Detection and Response = EDR packages from some vendors include EPP, and deliver a proactive approach to endpoint defense that combines continuous real-time monitoring on and offline, machine learning, and threat intelligence-based behavioral detection (as opposed to signature-based) and includes rule-based automated response.
Bill Munroe
VP of Marketing, CyGlass
