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Ransomware : Your Worst IT Catastrophe
Crypto-Ransomware has become a modern cyber pandemic that presents an enterprise-level threat for businesses of all sizes poorly prepared for an attack. Different iterations of ransomware like the Reveton, Fusob, Locky, SamSam and MongoLock cryptoworms have been out in the wild for a long time and still cause havoc. More recent versions of ransomware like Ryuk, Maze, Sodinokibi, Netwalker, Conti or Nephilim, along with daily unnamed newcomers, not only do encryption of online data files but also infiltrate all accessible system backups. Information synchronized to the cloud can also be ransomed. In a poorly designed environment, it can render automatic recovery impossible and basically sets the datacenter back to zero.

Getting back applications and information after a ransomware attack becomes a sprint against time as the targeted organization struggles to stop the spread, eradicate the virus, and restore enterprise-critical operations. Due to the fact that ransomware needs time to spread, penetrations are usually launched during weekends and nights, when successful penetrations in many cases take longer to identify. This compounds the difficulty of quickly mobilizing and coordinating an experienced response team.

Progent provides an assortment of help services for securing enterprises from ransomware events. These include team member education to help identify and avoid phishing scams, ProSight Active Security Monitoring for remote monitoring and management, plus setup and configuration of next-generation security solutions with artificial intelligence capabilities from SentinelOne to detect and disable day-zero cyber attacks intelligently. Progent also provides the assistance of experienced ransomware recovery consultants with the skills and commitment to rebuild a breached system as quickly as possible.

Progent's Ransomware Recovery Services
Subsequent to a ransomware event, sending the ransom in cryptocurrency does not provide any assurance that criminal gangs will respond with the needed codes to decipher all your files. Kaspersky Labs determined that seventeen percent of ransomware victims never recovered their information even after having sent off the ransom, resulting in more losses. The risk is also expensive. Ryuk ransoms are commonly several hundred thousand dollars. For larger enterprises, the ransom can reach millions. The other path is to piece back together the mission-critical parts of your Information Technology environment. Without the availability of full system backups, this calls for a broad range of skills, top notch project management, and the capability to work non-stop until the task is over.

For decades, Progent has provided professional Information Technology services for companies throughout the United States and has earned Microsoft's Partnership certification in the Datacenter and Cloud Productivity competencies. Progent's group of subject matter experts (SMEs) includes consultants who have earned high-level industry certifications in foundation technologies including Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and major distributions of Linux. Progent's security consultants have garnered internationally-recognized certifications including CISM, CISSP, CRISC, GIAC, and CMMC 2.0. (See Progent's certifications). Progent in addition has experience with financial management and ERP application software. This breadth of experience provides Progent the capability to knowledgably determine important systems and organize the surviving components of your Information Technology system after a crypto-ransomware event and configure them into a functioning system.

Progent's security team deploys powerful project management systems to orchestrate the complex restoration process. Progent appreciates the urgency of working swiftly and in unison with a customer's management and Information Technology team members to assign priority to tasks and to get the most important services back online as soon as humanly possible.

Client Case Study: A Successful Ransomware Intrusion Response
A business sought out Progent after their network system was brought down by Ryuk ransomware. Ryuk is generally considered to have been launched by Northern Korean state sponsored criminal gangs, suspected of adopting algorithms exposed from America's National Security Agency. Ryuk goes after specific companies with little or no ability to sustain disruption and is among the most profitable examples of crypto-ransomware. Major targets include Data Resolution, a California-based data warehousing and cloud computing company, and the Chicago Tribune. Progent's client is a small manufacturer headquartered in the Chicago metro area and has around 500 staff members. The Ryuk attack had paralyzed all business operations and manufacturing capabilities. The majority of the client's information backups had been on-line at the time of the attack and were damaged. The client was evaluating paying the ransom (in excess of $200K) and wishfully thinking for good luck, but ultimately called Progent.

Progent worked with the customer to quickly identify and prioritize the critical systems that had to be restored to make it possible to restart business functions:

• Active Directory (AD)
• E-Mail
• Accounting/MRP

In less than 2 days, Progent was able to re-build Active Directory services to its pre-intrusion state. Progent then completed reinstallations and storage recovery of needed systems. All Exchange Server schema and configuration information were intact, which accelerated the rebuild of Exchange. Progent was able to collect intact OST data files (Outlook Email Offline Folder Files) on team workstations and laptops in order to recover email information. A not too old offline backup of the client's accounting/MRP systems made them able to return these vital programs back online. Although a large amount of work was left to recover fully from the Ryuk attack, essential systems were restored quickly:

During the next month key milestones in the restoration project were completed in tight collaboration between Progent consultants and the client:

• In-house web applications were returned to operation with no loss of data.
• The MailStore Microsoft Exchange Server containing more than 4 million archived messages was brought on-line and available for users.
• CRM/Product Ordering/Invoicing/Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivables (AR)/Inventory modules were completely operational.
• A new Palo Alto 850 firewall was installed and configured.
• Most of the user workstations were being used by staff.

Conclusion
A probable business disaster was evaded due to results-oriented experts, a wide range of knowledge, and close collaboration. Although in post mortem the ransomware virus attack described here should have been identified and blocked with advanced security technology and security best practices, user training, and well thought out incident response procedures for information backup and applying software patches, the fact remains that state-sponsored cyber criminals from China, North Korea and elsewhere are tireless and are not going away. If you do fall victim to a crypto-ransomware incursion, feel confident that Progent's roster of professionals has proven experience in ransomware virus defense, mitigation, and file disaster recovery.

To read or download a PDF version of this customer case study, click:
Progent's Ransomware Virus Recovery Case Study Datasheet. (PDF - 282 KB)

Additional Ransomware Protection Services Available from Progent
Progent can provide companies in Cabo Frio a portfolio of online monitoring and security evaluation services to assist you to reduce your vulnerability to ransomware. These services include modern artificial intelligence technology to uncover zero-day strains of crypto-ransomware that are able to evade legacy signature-based security solutions.

• ProSight Managed Service Packages: for Small to Mid-size Businesses
  Progent's ProSight Managed IT Service Packages make it feasible for small and mid-size companies to deploy Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) solutions to achieve advanced network resilience. Progent takes care of the necessary monitoring and management for you, so your network expands easily without becoming an obstacle. For an affordable and predictable monthly price, Progent's full-service IT team can be your dependable technology safety net. Entry-level plans include remote monitoring and management, cybersecurity, automatic monthly patching, and documentation. As your requirements expand, you can add low-cost subscriptions to best-in-class solutions like as SaaS M365/Google Workspace backup and restore, Multi-Factor Authentication, pen testing, or WiFi management.

• ProSight LAN Watch: Server and Desktop Monitoring and Management
  ProSight LAN Watch is Progent's server and desktop monitoring service that uses state-of-the-art remote monitoring and management (RMM) technology to keep your network operating at peak levels by checking the state of vital assets that power your information system. When ProSight LAN Watch uncovers an issue, an alert is sent automatically to your specified IT staff and your assigned Progent consultant so that all looming issues can be addressed before they can impact productivity. Learn more details about ProSight LAN Watch server and desktop remote monitoring consulting.

• ProSight LAN Watch with NinjaOne RMM: Unified RMM Solution for Networks, Servers, and Workstations
  ProSight LAN Watch with NinjaOne RMM software delivers a unified, cloud-driven solution for monitoring and managing your network, server, and desktop devices by providing an environment for streamlining common tedious jobs. These can include health monitoring, patch management, automated remediation, endpoint setup, backup and recovery, A/V defense, secure remote access, standard and custom scripts, asset inventory, endpoint profile reports, and debugging help. If ProSight LAN Watch with NinjaOne RMM spots a serious issue, it sends an alarm to your designated IT personnel and your Progent technical consultant so that potential issues can be taken care of before they interfere with your network. Find out more details about ProSight LAN Watch with NinjaOne RMM server and desktop remote monitoring services.

• ProSight WAN Watch: Infrastructure Remote Monitoring and Management
  ProSight WAN Watch is a network infrastructure management service that makes it simple and affordable for smaller organizations to map, track, optimize and troubleshoot their connectivity hardware such as routers, firewalls, and wireless controllers as well as servers, client computers and other devices. Using cutting-edge Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) technology, WAN Watch ensures that infrastructure topology diagrams are kept current, captures and manages the configuration information of virtually all devices on your network, monitors performance, and generates alerts when issues are detected. By automating complex management and troubleshooting activities, ProSight WAN Watch can knock hours off common chores such as network mapping, reconfiguring your network, locating devices that require critical updates, or identifying the cause of performance issues. Learn more about ProSight WAN Watch infrastructure monitoring and management services.

• ProSight Reporting: Real-time Reporting for Ticketing and Network Monitoring Platforms
  ProSight Reporting is a growing family of real-time and in-depth management reporting plug-ins created to work with the industry's leading ticketing and remote network monitoring platforms including ConnectWise Manage, ConnectWise Automate, Customer Thermometer, Auvik, and SentinelOne. ProSight Reporting uses Microsoft Graph and features color coding to highlight and contextualize key issues like spotty support follow-through or machines with out-of-date AVs. By exposing ticketing or network health concerns concisely and in near-real time, ProSight Reporting improves productivity, lowers management overhead, and saves money. For details, visit ProSight Reporting for ticketing and network monitoring applications.

• ProSight Data Protection Services: Backup and Recovery Services
  Progent has worked with leading backup/restore software providers to create ProSight Data Protection Services, a selection of management outsourcing plans that deliver backup-as-a-service. ProSight DPS products automate and track your data backup operations and allow transparent backup and fast recovery of vital files/folders, applications, system images, and VMs. ProSight DPS lets your business recover from data loss resulting from hardware failures, natural calamities, fire, cyber attacks like ransomware, user mistakes, ill-intentioned employees, or application glitches. Managed services in the ProSight DPS portfolio include ProSight DPS Altaro VM Backup, ProSight 365 Total Backup (formerly Altaro 365 Backup), ProSight DPS ECHO Backup using Barracuda purpose-built storage, and ProSight DPS MSP360 Hybrid Backup. Your Progent service representative can help you to identify which of these fully managed backup services are best suited for your network.

• ProSight Email Guard: Inbound and Outbound Spam Filtering and Data Leakage Protection
  ProSight Email Guard is Progent's spam filtering and email encryption service that uses the infrastructure of top data security companies to provide centralized control and comprehensive security for your inbound and outbound email. The powerful architecture of Progent's Email Guard combines cloud-based filtering with an on-premises security gateway appliance to provide advanced protection against spam, viruses, Denial of Service Attacks, DHAs, and other email-borne threats. The cloud filter acts as a first line of defense and keeps the vast majority of threats from reaching your network firewall. This decreases your vulnerability to inbound attacks and conserves network bandwidth and storage. Email Guard's onsite gateway device provides a deeper layer of analysis for inbound email. For outgoing email, the local security gateway provides AV and anti-spam protection, policy-based Data Loss Prevention, and email encryption. The on-premises security gateway can also help Exchange Server to monitor and protect internal email traffic that originates and ends within your corporate firewall. For more information, see Email Guard spam and content filtering.

• ProSight Duo Multi-Factor Authentication: Identity Validation, Endpoint Remediation, and Protected Single Sign-on
  Progent's Duo authentication service plans utilize Cisco's Duo technology to defend against stolen passwords through the use of two-factor authentication (2FA). Duo enables single-tap identity verification on iOS, Google Android, and other personal devices. Using Duo 2FA, when you log into a protected online account and give your password you are asked to confirm who you are on a unit that only you have and that is accessed using a different network channel. A broad selection of devices can be used for this added means of authentication such as a smartphone or wearable, a hardware token, a landline phone, etc. You may designate several validation devices. For more information about Duo identity authentication services, see Cisco Duo MFA two-factor authentication (2FA) services for access security.

• Progent's Outsourced/Shared Help Center: Help Desk Managed Services
  Progent's Support Desk services allow your information technology group to offload Help Desk services to Progent or divide responsibilities for Help Desk services transparently between your in-house network support staff and Progent's extensive roster of certified IT support engineers and subject matter experts (SMEs). Progent's Shared Help Desk Service offers a smooth supplement to your in-house support group. End user interaction with the Help Desk, delivery of support, issue escalation, ticket generation and updates, performance metrics, and maintenance of the support database are cohesive whether incidents are resolved by your in-house IT support organization, by Progent, or by a combination. Learn more about Progent's outsourced/co-managed Service Desk services.

• Progent Active Defense Against Ransomware: AI-based Ransomware Identification and Remediation
  Progent's Active Protection Against Ransomware is an endpoint protection solution that incorporates next generation behavior-based machine learning tools to guard endpoints as well as servers and VMs against new malware attacks like ransomware and email phishing, which routinely evade traditional signature-based anti-virus tools. Progent Active Security Monitoring services safeguard local and cloud resources and provides a single platform to address the entire malware attack lifecycle including blocking, identification, mitigation, cleanup, and forensics. Top features include one-click rollback with Windows VSS and real-time network-wide immunization against newly discovered threats. Read more about Progent's ransomware defense and cleanup services.

• ProSight IT Asset Management: Network Documentation Management
  ProSight IT Asset Management service is an IT infrastructure documentation management service that makes it easy to create, maintain, retrieve and safeguard information related to your IT infrastructure, processes, business apps, and services. You can instantly locate passwords or IP addresses and be warned automatically about impending expirations of SSL certificates or domains. By updating and managing your IT infrastructure documentation, you can save as much as 50% of time wasted searching for critical information about your network. ProSight IT Asset Management includes a common repository for holding and collaborating on all documents related to managing your business network like standard operating procedures and self-service instructions. ProSight IT Asset Management also offers a high level of automation for gathering and associating IT data. Whether you're planning enhancements, doing maintenance, or responding to a crisis, ProSight IT Asset Management delivers the knowledge you require as soon as you need it. Learn more about ProSight IT Asset Management service.

• Patch Management: Patch Management Services
  Progent's managed services for patch management offer organizations of all sizes a flexible and cost-effective alternative for assessing, validating, scheduling, implementing, and tracking updates to your dynamic IT system. In addition to maximizing the security and reliability of your computer network, Progent's patch management services allow your in-house IT staff to focus on line-of-business initiatives and activities that deliver maximum business value from your information network. Learn more about Progent's software/firmware update management services.

• ProSight Virtual Hosting: Hosted Virtual Machines at Progent's Tier III Data Center
  With Progent's ProSight Virtual Hosting service, a small organization can have its key servers and applications hosted in a secure fault tolerant data center on a high-performance virtual machine host configured and maintained by Progent's network support professionals. Under Progent's ProSight Virtual Hosting service model, the client owns the data, the OS software, and the apps. Since the system is virtualized, it can be ported immediately to an alternate hosting environment without a lengthy and difficult reinstallation process. With ProSight Virtual Hosting, your business is not tied one hosting provider. Learn more details about ProSight Virtual Hosting services.

• ProSight Active Security Monitoring: Endpoint Protection and Ransomware Defense
  ProSight Active Security Monitoring (ASM) is an endpoint protection (EPP) service that incorporates SentinelOne's cutting edge behavior-based analysis tools to defend physical and virtual endpoint devices against new malware attacks such as ransomware and email phishing, which easily escape traditional signature-based anti-virus products. ProSight ASM protects local and cloud-based resources and offers a unified platform to manage the complete malware attack lifecycle including filtering, identification, containment, remediation, and forensics. Top capabilities include single-click rollback with Windows VSS and real-time network-wide immunization against new attacks. Progent is a SentinelOne Partner, dealer, and integrator. Find out more about Progent's ProSight Active Security Monitoring endpoint protection and ransomware defense.

• ProSight Enhanced Security Protection (ESP): Endpoint Protection and Exchange Email Filtering
  ProSight Enhanced Security Protection services offer affordable multi-layer security for physical servers and virtual machines, desktops, smartphones, and Exchange email. ProSight ESP uses contextual security and advanced heuristics for round-the-clock monitoring and responding to cyber threats from all attack vectors. ProSight ESP offers firewall protection, intrusion alarms, device control, and web filtering through leading-edge tools incorporated within one agent accessible from a unified console. Progent's security and virtualization experts can help your business to design and configure a ProSight ESP deployment that meets your organization's specific needs and that allows you prove compliance with legal and industry data protection standards. Progent will help you define and implement security policies that ProSight ESP will manage, and Progent will monitor your IT environment and react to alerts that require urgent attention. Progent's consultants can also help you to install and test a backup and restore system such as ProSight Data Protection Services so you can get back in business quickly from a destructive cyber attack such as ransomware. Find out more about Progent's ProSight Enhanced Security Protection (ESP) unified physical and virtual endpoint protection and Microsoft Exchange email filtering.