ransomware questionnaire

2021/05/21

Do all servers supporting critical business operation have backup servers? ransomware kent deployment predictive responses methods analysis human views You read that right. It's hard to hire employees with technical experience and an MSP background, but recruiters who understand what motivates At Microsoft Inspire, industry-specific cloud offerings emerged as a key FY 2023 direction for the technology company and one in All Rights Reserved, 35.7% of companies reported having purchased specific insurance cover for ransomware attacks. While its not quite as simple for attackers to get hold of this data, it is certainly possible. 0000006037 00000 n

0000027858 00000 n That said, our survey found that over 17.2% of ransomware attacks on our respondents targeted backup data, revealing a loophole that scammers can exploit. The questionnaire focuses on the central services which may be provided by chambers to barristers and staff. IT teams must take whatever steps they can to reduce the network attack surface and limit the possibility of end-user actions resulting in ransomware. Can the internal network, including both employees' PCs and servers, have access to limitless downloads including executable files, from the Internet? 0000016607 00000 n On mobile devices, you may have to do it manually. x]}shy A x$ BRfXg^tO; ZJ?u {Nxw?w_>UJO_+}?loq3^v.|LO,SYOo!oeJ_{!e1]*Vc*99|-w/wMvs(V$^.;_N|b IZBwu_4_1N\FJ|{f~dz`zI>+Gz8,487(IPNvx(1f,=WCX-rpp^WT)=y2t0::eOegT99^1u`z=Qa]h7o/vUDRxx1vQ . 0000037737 00000 n 0000018122 00000 n Meanwhile, another 43.9% of respondents claim that while their leadership is aware of the threat, they are not quite as hands-on, leaving it to be dealt with by their IT departments. Can you determine the kill chain, should a security incident occur. 0000038281 00000 n 0000024225 00000 n This is only one of the common ways that criminals start ransomware attacks. - v.2022.07.27.1, This page was printed on 30/07/2022 and the up-to-date version can be found online at https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/cybersecurity/information-security-questionnaire. IT must immediately notify any internal or external stakeholders that the attack could affect, or who might be able to help respond and recover. 0000012727 00000 n Does the antivirus signature database update on a regular basis? Our survey findings support this. Copyright 2008 - 2022, TechTarget 0000027310 00000 n IT administrators should know where the backups are located, how to interface with those backups, what processes to use to restore the backups and how to prioritize restore operations.

0000004072 00000 n Setting them to update automatically can help you make it happen. This is incorrect! This order is ideally included in the organization's backup and disaster recovery plan. 0000038633 00000 n 0000034841 00000 n Businesses should create an incident response plan that specifically outlines what steps to take in the event of a ransomware attack. X|(,2_1arqq77fk-, $ 0000011888 00000 n The questionnaires introductory paragraphs set out more details about how we expect it to be used. Heres a list of precautions that your company can take: The level of training and awareness your end-users have could make or break a ransomware attack. 0000018632 00000 n Do you have a separate network for DeMilitarised Zone (DMZ), backend and internal? The only thing left was to run a survey to find out whether companies truly understand the gravity of the threat posed by ransomware, and whether they are adequately protecting themselves from it. 0000028547 00000 n

There are several AWS storage types, but these four offerings cover file, block and object storage needs. 0000017282 00000 n 0000004179 00000 n Take our quiz to test your knowledge about ransomware backup. Maintain at least two copies of each backup. 0000020826 00000 n We hope that by having an agreed standardised questionnaire, the administrative burden will be much reduced for both the chambers responding to the questionnaire, and the law firms assessing those responses. Learn more about your rights as a consumer and how to spot and avoid scams. The questionnaires responses are provided for information purposes only, and do not give rise to any contractual or tortious liability on the part of chambers or individual barristers. In addition, the policies should specify the length of time to retain backups. And while it may feel unlikely that it will happen to your company, the cost of recovery if unprepared is significantly higher than the cost of prevention. This is especially true for companies with employees who work remotely and rely on access to network storage via VPN, as local storage is not an option. With an immutable backup, data can be written only once, often in a single session, and it cannot be updated or deleted -- a strategy often referred to as WORM (write once, read many). 0000011215 00000 n This is only one of the common ways that criminals start ransomware attacks.

Communication and ransomware containment must come before all else, but at some point, it will be time to start recovery. 0000028037 00000 n 0000009505 00000 n 0000000016 00000 n Businesses might also be required to report the incident to one or more regulatory agencies, such as those that govern HIPAA or the EU's GDPR. @}jBK\Lj]/`rh #Wsw\:y%0 iVlGOo?=vw:]:o" D&zi+. In addition, 40.3% of our respondents mentioned that they use Application Control Policies as another way of preventing ransomware (or other malware) from taking hold at user end-points. 0000025419 00000 n 0000019472 00000 n Doing so is likely not a bad idea in theory, however, it may not necessarily be feasible for many organizations. 0000025766 00000 n

0000009847 00000 n 0000021006 00000 n This is incorrect! Having employees who are capable of recognizing a potential ransomware threat and reporting it to the right people can be just as valuable as any piece of cybersecurity software. 86.9% of companies claim that yes, their senior leadership team is aware of ransomware and the impact it can have. At least one of those backups should be immutable and kept offline (air-gapped). This said, less than 30% of surveyed companies make the effort to educate their employees on the subject, which would make all the difference. Report the attack right away to your local FBI office. In fact, our survey shows that the threat of ransomware has changed the way 71.3% of companies backup their data. Nearly 1 in every 4 companies also indicated that they use immutable storage to protect themselves from ransomware attacks (24.5%). By the time IT teams discover an attack, it's likely that the ransomware has already started to encrypt files, even if the scope is relatively contained. 0000048009 00000 n All rights reserved. Being a victim of ransomware can be devastating. An organization may not be able to completely prevent an attack, but there are safeguards and systems it can put into place to help protect data. Learn For Azure users, the Site Recovery DRaaS tool provides reliable and accessible disaster recovery. Snf`qeW+)VvRN}Td@oA>Rm }I4!FV=v[@g;B#P]|Z!\%?%n$vIRtW>=01*T_9dMh#bq3@`#}DzX}^u 0000014252 00000 n So, while its always a good idea to cover all your bases, we dont suggest sacrificing a potential upgrade to your internal IT and backup security in favour of purchasing ransomware insurance. Check out these additional resources like downloadable guides This is likely due to the fact that while the largest organizations normally have the most stringent security measures, they also represent the largest potential pay-outs to cybercriminals. 0000018300 00000 n Do you update installed software and applications to the latest version and patch on a regular basis? 0000026099 00000 n Meanwhile, the latter performs the same function, but concentrates specifically on one of the most common sources of malware email. 0000010706 00000 n In this regard, our survey showed that a similar percentage of respondents that do not protect their backups also do not have a disaster recovery plan in place. Over 90% of our respondents said that although they were attacked, they were able to recover their data from backup. 0000024905 00000 n 0000037993 00000 n In early August, global consulting firm Accenture suffered a LockBit ransomware attack that threatened confidential data. 0000037833 00000 n For more on back-up protection, ransomware, or anything cybersecurity, visit our Knowledge Base. %PDF-1.7 % The remaining questions should then be answered in respect of that defined scope. Data backups are the first line of defense against ransomware and other threats, but those backups must be fully protected and secured. Network storage is normally used to store sensitive data which can be shared between multiple users simultaneously, and is utilised in nearly every company. Javascript is required for this site to function, please enable. 0000042229 00000 n Do you have network segmentation, including VLAN segregation within your organisational network? Even businesses that take the necessary precautions can still fall victim to attacks -- a threat that continues to rise as ransomware becomes more prevalent and sophisticated and grows more adept at infecting backup data. While there are standard ways to protect your organization, newer technologies could save your business. Verify and scan backups for infection. Are there any inactive / idle hosts facing externally and exposed to the Internet? 0000017957 00000 n Store them on different types of media and locate them someplace other than on the primary network. 0000009670 00000 n An official website of the United States government. 38 0 obj <> endobj xref In our Knowledge Base, weve dedicated various sections to discussing every aspect of ransomware: what qualifies as ransomware, the sources of ransomware attacks, the best methods of ransomware protection, and much more. As found in our last survey on email security, end-users represent one of the most prominent threats to their own organizations. Before the incident, the firm implemented security controls and protocols to guard against such threats and prepared a response if ransomware attackers struck. 0000038537 00000 n Covering ransomware cases involves accounting for the entire operation of the company, and may require certain preventative measures to be taken to qualify for the insurance. If a companys backup data is also encrypted, it becomes useless as a ransomware protection method. How do you identify ransomware and what should you do to protect your business? 0000012230 00000 n Here are some recent attack trends to prepare for to keep data and backups safe. 0000052295 00000 n Information security questionnaire (PDF 19 KB), Keeping your business secure: cybersecurity in changing times, 10 steps to refreshing your law firms website, Sign up to the ransomware early warning service. Part of: Ransomware protection and recovery depend on secure data backups. Many of our respondents understand the imminent threat that ransomware attacks pose. According to the survey, 9.2% of those companies that fell victim to a ransomware attack were left with no choice but to pay the ransom to recover their data. The former scans and analyses end-points (laptops, computers, mobile phones, tablets, etc.) Therefore, having software capable of scanning email attachments and discarding malicious ones, such as Hornetsecurity Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) is an effective way of keeping scammers at bay. This is only one of the common ways that criminals start ransomware attacks. 0000017625 00000 n Many have not been so lucky. 0000038811 00000 n 0000006313 00000 n The response team should also conduct a root cause analysis to try to understand the type of ransomware, the specific variant and how it came into the environment. 0000022019 00000 n Are you able to monitor possible threats within the internal network? Are you aware of internal threats or east-west attacks that occur in the organization? Do you have a password complexity policy in place? Ransomware protection and recovery depend on secure data backups. 0000020660 00000 n 1433/TCP, 3306/TCP)? These systems may use machine learning and other advanced technologies to identify and mitigate threats. The two most common forms of protection employed by our respondents, the survey revealed, are end-point detection software with anti-ransomware capabilities and email filtration and threat analysis. To keep your security up to date, its important to install the latest patches and updates. The best strategy for reducing work recovery time windows is done before the need arises. Neither the Law Society nor the Bar Council will maintain a repository of responses to the questionnaire which will remain confidential between the parties. Small companies dont tend to prioritize IT security, even if theyre a high revenue organization, until something bad happens, making them an easy target for ransomware attacks. Are you aware of unauthorized software installed on servers and PCs? <> 0000038153 00000 n *fF^x\IF:/A~K7|8whc8%J(}%q)mZGrrE q"&#M#:TlMaWv8"dG fHNU)Ff%}r:''7^x hloX6=}ns ]ijar-&5x HX "L(i y4A_iTrdu The average downtime a company experiences after a ransomware attack is 21 days, and while the cost of that downtime alone can be fatal for many companies, that is without taking into consideration the cost of data recovery, the payment of the ransom, and long-term brand damage. As far as the firm is aware, no customer data or sensitive information was compromised. In light of the ongoing threat from ransomware attacks and the need for better tools to assess information security, weve jointly produced a questionnaire with the Bar Council that we recommend members use when instructing chambers. 0000019650 00000 n If an organization has already engaged outside security experts or plans to engage them, they should contact them immediately. 0000038057 00000 n What size of company is most likely to suffer a ransomware attack? 0000003890 00000 n Many are under the impression that as long as data is stored in the cloud, it isnt possible for ransomware attackers to target it. The CISA, MS-ISAC and federal law enforcement advise against paying the ransom. IT teams should then bring the cleaned-up systems online, verify which backups are safe to restore and then recover the data from those backups. 0000010883 00000 n If your data has been stolen, take steps to protect your company and notify those who might be affected. 0000021686 00000 n 0000038409 00000 n We recommend that law firms should use this questionnaire to check that the centralised information technology (IT) systems maintained by chambers are information security compliant. In addition to an effective backup plan, an organization needs a strategy and system in place to recover that data. The exact process will depend on whether the business decides to pay the ransom and, if so, whether the cybercriminals send the decryption key as promised. It looks legitimate but with one click on a link, or one download of an attachment, everyone is locked out of your network. 0000019307 00000 n The fact that over 15% of companies do not make an effort to protect their backups from ransomware is concerning. This makes it extremely effective at protecting data from nearly any threat. Social engineering, such as phishing or whaling, often yields excellent results for cybercriminals. 0000015258 00000 n 0000008996 00000 n Our mission is protecting consumers and competition by preventing anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices through law enforcement, advocacy, and education without unduly burdening legitimate business activity. Are you aware if a security incident occurs? New ransomware that specifically targets backups can make it difficult to ensure data is safe. 0000020327 00000 n Are you asking the right questions about ransomware? 0000027674 00000 n As seen in the findings above, there are multiple tried and tested methods of back-up protection that can increase your companys chances of escaping any ransomware threats unscathed. If a business does come under attack, IT teams should ask themselves several important questions. Then determine whether to pay the ransom, knowing that law enforcement doesnt recommend it and that paying the ransom doesnt guarantee youll get your data back. Backups are the lifeblood of any anti-ransomware strategy. So, the best form of ransomware protection is definitely a holistic one. The questionnaire aims to raise awareness of information security issues, including organisational security, and is not limited to chambers use of technology. 0000024059 00000 n Preparation is the most effective strategy against ransomware. 0000037801 00000 n <> stream In our previous survey on email security and Microsoft 365, we found that 68% of our respondents expected Microsoft 365 to keep them safe from email security breaches. Over 1 in every 5 of our respondents either are not sure if Microsoft 365 data is vulnerable, or dont think it is. Find legal resources and guidance to understand your business responsibilities and comply with the law. 0000012562 00000 n

How can you protect against Ransomware? trailer <<2BD8A735B6CC4CD09820B4DABFD548A2>]/Prev 61371>> startxref 0 %%EOF 191 0 obj <>stream A malicious program made for devices (mainly computers), its aim is to lock data for the user data which can only be unlocked, as the name suggests, if the user pays a ransom.

0000037769 00000 n Accenture was fortunate, however. You are encouraged to select the most appropriate answer for each question in order to have an accurate score. 0000025086 00000 n Not only does this include physical protections -- such as retina scanners, video surveillance, or entry and exit logging -- but also comprehensive storage and network security, which can include a wide range of protections. 0000004114 00000 n 0000010344 00000 n 0000003376 00000 n Check to see if you can restore your systems from back-ups. The main aim of most ransomware attacks is to encrypt essential data that makes it impossible for a company to operate. Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website. 0000038441 00000 n Should you buy insurance that covers ransomware attacks? This statistic reveals that with the right awareness and protective measures, paying the ransom need not be the only option. To protect your company against this, providing training to end-users to recognize and flag potential threats can be one of the most effective ransomware prevention techniques. Do you have network perimeter defense against ingress or egress traffics, such as a firewall in place? Does the internal network, including both employees' PCs and servers, have direct and free access to the Internet without restriction? 0000021505 00000 n Some of these agencies might be able to assist in incident response. 0000018975 00000 n 0000038249 00000 n The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. This is not surprising, considering the increasing incidence of ransomware across most industries. Do all servers supporting critical business operation have active passive and load balancers to ensure availability? The average downtime a company experiences after a ransomware attack is, 28.7% of companies do not provide training to end-users on how to recognize and flag potential ransomware attacks. 0000013236 00000 n Someone in your company gets an email. On mobile devices, you may have to do it manually. Report the attack right away to your local FBI office. To meet these challenges, they must know the right ransomware questions to ask if they hope to ward off attacks or minimize the damage if one occurs. In fact, almost 40% of respondents indicated that their leadership is actively involved in conversations and decision-making to help prepare the organization. 0000032556 00000 n 38 154 0000016950 00000 n This process can help identify potentially infected systems and point to possible pathways to recovery. More than 1 in every 10 companies (11.2%) represent the false sense of security that cybercriminals rely on to successfully perform their malicious operations. If an organization has a cyber insurance policy, contact the provider as soon as possible, in part because the company might be able to provide forensic analysis tools. 0000038697 00000 n To keep your security up to date, its important to install the latest patches and updates. 0000047390 00000 n Back up data regularly and frequently, with critical data the most often. It's time to review your strategy for ransomware backup and recovery. According to our findings, 62% of all email security breaches occurred due to user-compromised passwords and successful phishing attacks.

Keep in mind how long ransomware can lurk in the background. The next obvious question is, of these ransomware victims, how many ended up paying the ransom to recover their data and begin operating again?

First, disconnect the infected computer or device from your network. This is incorrect! 0000015932 00000 n Privacy Policy Do remote desktop protocol (RDP) (port 3389/TCP), file sharing protocol (port 22/TCP, 445/TCP), or similar alternatives face externally or are they exposed to Internet? 0000038473 00000 n 0000022366 00000 n Anyone who might fulfill one of these roles should receive incident training, which can also validate the response plan.

0000033702 00000 n 0000026945 00000 n Organizations of this size are most likely at a stage where having a dedicated IT team is a no-brainer, but tight cybersecurity might not be a perceived priority just yet. In reality, as can also be seen here, third-party security solutions are an essential part of any cybersecurity protection plan. 'z B|DY!j5T~@`j[wB$Q`eu%8P:/V>qPH8+(-FCw(} h nQ.}CcPV5y*nqN^LjI. And the cost of the ransom is certainly not insignificant, with the average amount that companies were forced to pay in 2020 coming in at $170,404. 0000019982 00000 n 0000016097 00000 n Thoroughly test all phases of the recovery process to ensure the data will be there when it is needed. 0000012904 00000 n Here are some questions for backup admins and IT teams that can help keep backups safe in a ransomware attack. This typically means taking them offline, whether it involves individual computers or an entire subnet, but if IT teams cannot disconnect a system from the network, they should power it down. Use our visualizations to explore scam and fraud trends in your state based on reports from consumers like you. Sangfor has prepared a self-assessment ransomware protection questionnaire for end-users to have a brief overview of their readiness and effectiveness of security controls and security best practices to protect their organizations against ransomware attacks. 0000011556 00000 n Most organizations understand that having backups for your most important data is a no-brainer. 0000006202 00000 n Sign-up now. 55i%kv:H7gve@C%+ 4]^]qX*07IZ: moJ=1C This is incorrect! IT disaster recovery plans (IT DRPs) are another essential component of protecting company data from unexpected threats. 0000037897 00000 n 0000047922 00000 n This is incorrect! 0000024406 00000 n 0000027130 00000 n 0000038345 00000 n Other ways include getting access to your server through vulnerabilities and installing malware, or using infected websites that automatically download malicious software to your computer or mobile device. A staggering 21% of respondents answered Yes to the question Has your organisation been the victim of a ransomware attack to date? While this may seem high, it is consistent with data collected in our previous survey about email security, where we found that 1 in every 4 companies had suffered an email security breach. 0000013578 00000 n So, what is the best form of ransomware protection? 0000038025 00000 n 0000035869 00000 n The priority is to carry out the measures necessary to contain the ransomware. When it comes time to start the recovery process, IT should prioritize which systems to restore and in what order. In fact, 5.1% of our respondents that reported being victims of a ransomware attack said that their Microsoft 365 and/or cloud data was affected in the attack. Important files should be regularly backed up on a drive or server thats not connected to your network. First, disconnect the infected computer or device from your network. This overview of SMART attributes in SSDs explains how organizations can put them to good use.

It therefore begins by seeking a definition of the scope of such centrally provided systems and services. Memo from Chair Lina M. Khan to commission staff and commissioners regarding the vision and priorities for the FTC. hb``' "P;0parFs`f P`ev)0Is pX JB\TZY:zuX4T. Even if they do provide the key, the organization must still take steps to recover from the attack, deal with the infected systems and protect against another attack. Looking for legal documents or records? It cannot be modified, deleted, moved or otherwise tampered with at any time, by anyone.

The aim of this questionnaire is to ensure that chambers are information security compliant, and to promote a culture of change across the legal profession in terms of how law firms instruct barristers. 0000037961 00000 n As those who are familiar with it will undoubtedly attest, Over 1 in every 5 companies falls victim to ransomware attacks, Being a victim of ransomware can be devastating. For example, an IT team might use vulnerability scanning, network segmentation, multifactor authentication, dark web monitoring, intrusion detection systems and antimalware/anti-ransomware software. 0000016275 00000 n Protecting those backups, however, is just as important. endobj Search the Legal Library instead. 0000013910 00000 n Do you have restrictions on file downloading, including executable files, from email attachments? In fact, what is clear from these survey results is that any company, of any size, can be the victim of a ransomware attack. 0000024739 00000 n Together with the Bar Council, weve produced this questionnaire to help our members understand the information security arrangements that barristers' chambers have in place. In such a climate, IT teams are under greater pressure than ever to safeguard primary and backup data. Do Not Sell My Personal Info. Important files should be regularly backed up on a drive or server thats not connected to your network. 0000021339 00000 n What is ransomware? It is therefore clear that having malware protection present at all levels of the organization is essential, particularly on end-points that have easy access to servers and network storage. We enforce federal competition and consumer protection laws that prevent anticompetitive, deceptive, and unfair business practices. 0000026446 00000 n Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. 0000010179 00000 n Being able to ensure business continuity in the event of a tech failure is essential. Ransomware attacks have added up to millions in lost revenue, recovery costs and ransom payments. Other ways include sending a scam email with links or attachments that put your data and network at risk, or getting into your server through vulnerabilities and installing malware. Along with these safeguards, administrators should also ensure that all systems are patched and updated in a timely manner. Other ways include sending a scam email with links or attachments that put your data and network at risk, or using infected websites that automatically download malicious software to your computer or mobile device. 0000038505 00000 n With that out of the way, lets get started. The most vulnerable business size is that with 201-500 employees, with just over 1 in every 4 being the victim of an attack (25.3%). 0000005705 00000 n To this end, they must be able to easily access the backups and manage operations, regardless of where the backups are stored. Do you perform security assessments like vulnerability assessments on organisational assets on a regular basis? The answer? An organization must have a comprehensive monitor and alert system that tracks the entire back-end, endpoint and network environment, and looks for anomalies in traffic, data patterns, user behavior and access attempts. The first step in ransomware prevention is to review and update backup policies. 0000016772 00000 n Efficient policies specify everything businesses need to back up and when those backups should occur. Are leadership teams aware of the threat of ransomware attacks? Consider working with a third-party cybersecurity service to help protect against ransomware or assist the organization if an attack occurs. Telecommunications / Media / Entertainment. We also wanted to find out how often the average company falls victim to ransomware attacks, and how they resolve the situation. This is incorrect! In this way, they ensure that, in the event of a natural disaster or ransomware attack, an uncompromised backup is always available. 0000014749 00000 n 0000046898 00000 n

The launch of the incident response plan sets into motion the steps needed to regain control of the environment. These policies dictate which applications or programs may be launched on company devices, preventing an end-user from unknowingly launching malware on their device.