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Crypto-Ransomware : Your Worst IT Nightmare
Ransomware has become an escalating cyberplague that presents an extinction-level threat for organizations vulnerable to an assault. Versions of crypto-ransomware like the CrySIS, WannaCry, Locky, NotPetya and MongoLock cryptoworms have been out in the wild for a long time and still inflict harm. Modern versions of ransomware such as Ryuk, Maze, Sodinokibi, DopplePaymer, Snatch or Egregor, as well as additional as yet unnamed malware, not only encrypt online information but also infect many available system protection. Information synchronized to the cloud can also be ransomed. In a vulnerable data protection solution, it can make automated restoration useless and effectively knocks the datacenter back to square one.

Recovering applications and data after a ransomware attack becomes a race against time as the victim tries its best to stop the spread, remove the ransomware, and restore enterprise-critical operations. Because ransomware requires time to spread, attacks are usually launched on weekends and holidays, when penetrations may take more time to notice. This compounds the difficulty of quickly mobilizing and coordinating a qualified mitigation team.

Progent offers an assortment of solutions for protecting organizations from ransomware attacks. Among these are user training to help recognize and avoid phishing exploits, ProSight Active Security Monitoring (ASM) for remote monitoring and management, along with setup and configuration of next-generation security gateways with AI capabilities from SentinelOne to detect and suppress day-zero cyber threats automatically. Progent also can provide the services of expert ransomware recovery professionals with the talent and commitment to rebuild a breached environment as quickly as possible.

Progent's Ransomware Recovery Services
After a ransomware attack, paying the ransom demands in cryptocurrency does not guarantee that distant criminals will provide the keys to decrypt any or all of your data. Kaspersky Labs estimated that seventeen percent of ransomware victims never recovered their data after having sent off the ransom, resulting in additional losses. The gamble is also costly. Ryuk ransoms are commonly several hundred thousand dollars. For larger enterprises, the ransom demand can be in the millions of dollars. The alternative is to setup from scratch the mission-critical components of your IT environment. Without access to complete data backups, this calls for a broad range of IT skills, well-coordinated project management, and the ability to work non-stop until the task is finished.

For two decades, Progent has provided expert Information Technology services for companies across the US and has achieved Microsoft's Partnership certification in the Datacenter and Cloud Productivity competencies. Progent's team of subject matter experts includes consultants who have been awarded high-level industry certifications in leading technologies including Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and popular distributions of Linux. Progent's security experts have garnered internationally-recognized industry certifications including CISM, CISSP-ISSAP, CRISC, GIAC, and CMMC 2.0. (Visit Progent's certifications). Progent also has experience with financial systems and ERP applications. This breadth of experience provides Progent the skills to quickly identify necessary systems and re-organize the surviving pieces of your Information Technology system after a ransomware penetration and assemble them into an operational network.

Progent's recovery team deploys best of breed project management applications to coordinate the complex restoration process. Progent understands the urgency of working rapidly and in unison with a client's management and IT staff to prioritize tasks and to get critical services back on-line as fast as possible.

Case Study: A Successful Crypto-Ransomware Virus Response
A business escalated to Progent after their network was brought down by the Ryuk crypto-ransomware. Ryuk is thought to have been launched by Northern Korean state sponsored criminal gangs, suspected of using approaches exposed from the United States National Security Agency. Ryuk seeks specific businesses with little or no tolerance for disruption and is one of the most lucrative versions of ransomware malware. Major victims include Data Resolution, a California-based information warehousing and cloud computing business, and the Chicago Tribune. Progent's customer is a regional manufacturing business based in Chicago and has about 500 staff members. The Ryuk event had brought down all essential operations and manufacturing processes. The majority of the client's data protection had been directly accessible at the beginning of the attack and were encrypted. The client was taking steps for paying the ransom demand (more than $200K) and praying for the best, but ultimately engaged Progent.

Progent worked together with the customer to rapidly determine and prioritize the most important systems that needed to be addressed to make it possible to restart departmental functions:

• Windows Active Directory
• Microsoft Exchange Server
• Financials/MRP

Within two days, Progent was able to re-build Windows Active Directory to its pre-attack state. Progent then performed reinstallations and hard drive recovery on needed systems. All Exchange data and configuration information were intact, which accelerated the rebuild of Exchange. Progent was also able to find non-encrypted OST data files (Outlook Email Offline Folder Files) on various PCs and laptops in order to recover email data. A not too old offline backup of the businesses accounting/MRP systems made it possible to recover these vital applications back online for users. Although significant work was left to recover fully from the Ryuk attack, critical services were recovered quickly:

Over the next couple of weeks important milestones in the recovery process were completed through close collaboration between Progent team members and the client:

• Internal web sites were returned to operation with no loss of information.
• The MailStore Microsoft Exchange Server containing more than four million historical emails was spun up and accessible to users.
• CRM/Customer Orders/Invoices/AP/AR/Inventory Control modules were fully recovered.
• A new Palo Alto Networks 850 security appliance was installed and configured.
• Ninety percent of the desktop computers were being used by staff.

Conclusion
A probable business extinction catastrophe was evaded due to hard-working experts, a wide array of IT skills, and tight collaboration. Although in post mortem the crypto-ransomware virus penetration described here should have been identified and stopped with up-to-date cyber security technology and best practices, user and IT administrator training, and well designed security procedures for backup and applying software patches, the fact remains that state-sponsored cyber criminals from Russia, China and elsewhere are tireless and will continue. If you do get hit by a ransomware virus, feel confident that Progent's roster of professionals has proven experience in ransomware virus blocking, removal, and information systems recovery.

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

Additional Crypto-Ransomware Protection Services Offered by Progent
Progent can provide businesses in Uniondale a portfolio of online monitoring and security evaluation services designed to assist you to minimize the threat from crypto-ransomware. These services include next-generation machine learning capability to uncover zero-day variants of crypto-ransomware that can evade legacy signature-based security products.

• ProSight Managed Service Plans: for Small to Mid-size Businesses
  Progent's ProSight Managed IT Service Plans make it feasible for small and mid-size companies to utilize Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) solutions to create leading-edge IT resilience. Progent handles the daily monitoring and maintenance for you, so your network expands readily without becoming an obstacle. For an affordable and predictable monthly price, Progent's experienced IT group 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 advanced options like as SaaS M365/Google Workspace backup, Multi-Factor Authentication, penetration testing, or WiFi management.

• ProSight LAN Watch: Server and Desktop Remote Monitoring
  ProSight LAN Watch is Progent's server and desktop remote monitoring managed service that uses advanced remote monitoring and management techniques to help keep your IT system operating efficiently by checking the health of critical assets that drive your business network. When ProSight LAN Watch detects a problem, an alert is sent automatically to your specified IT personnel and your Progent consultant so all potential problems can be addressed before they have a chance to impact your network. Find out more details about ProSight LAN Watch server and desktop remote monitoring services.

• ProSight LAN Watch with NinjaOne RMM: Unified RMM Solution for Networks, Servers, and Desktops
  ProSight LAN Watch with NinjaOne RMM software offers a centralized, cloud-based solution for monitoring and managing your client-server infrastructure by offering an environment for performing common tedious tasks. These can include health checking, update management, automated repairs, endpoint setup, backup and recovery, anti-virus defense, secure remote access, built-in and custom scripts, asset inventory, endpoint status reporting, and debugging help. When ProSight LAN Watch with NinjaOne RMM spots a serious problem, it sends an alert to your designated IT staff and your assigned Progent consultant so that potential issues can be fixed before they impact productivity. Find out more about ProSight LAN Watch with NinjaOne RMM server and desktop monitoring services.

• ProSight WAN Watch: Network Infrastructure Remote Monitoring and Management
  ProSight WAN Watch is an infrastructure management service that makes it easy and affordable for small and mid-sized organizations to diagram, track, optimize and troubleshoot their connectivity hardware like routers and switches, firewalls, and access points plus servers, endpoints and other devices. Incorporating state-of-the-art Remote Monitoring and Management technology, WAN Watch makes sure that infrastructure topology maps are kept current, copies and manages the configuration of almost all devices connected to your network, monitors performance, and generates notices when potential issues are discovered. By automating complex management and troubleshooting activities, ProSight WAN Watch can knock hours off common tasks such as making network diagrams, reconfiguring your network, finding devices that require important updates, or identifying the cause of performance problems. Find out more about ProSight WAN Watch network infrastructure monitoring and management services.

• ProSight Reporting: Real-time and In-depth Reporting for Ticketing and Network Monitoring Platforms
  ProSight Reporting is a growing suite of real-time and in-depth reporting utilities designed to integrate with the leading ticketing and remote network monitoring applications such as ConnectWise Manage, ConnectWise Automate, Customer Thermometer, Auvik, and SentinelOne. ProSight Reporting uses Microsoft Graph and features color coding to surface and contextualize critical issues like inconsistent support follow-through or endpoints with missing patches. By identifying ticketing or network health concerns concisely and in near-real time, ProSight Reporting improves productivity, reduces management overhead, and saves money. For more information, visit ProSight Reporting for ticketing and network monitoring platforms.

• ProSight Data Protection Services: Managed Backup and Disaster Recovery Services
  Progent has partnered with advanced backup software providers to create ProSight Data Protection Services (DPS), a portfolio of offerings that deliver backup-as-a-service. ProSight DPS products manage and track your data backup operations and enable transparent backup and fast restoration of critical files, applications, system images, and virtual machines. ProSight DPS lets your business recover from data loss caused by hardware failures, natural calamities, fire, cyber attacks like ransomware, user mistakes, malicious employees, or application glitches. Managed backup services available in the ProSight DPS product line include ProSight Altaro VM Backup, ProSight 365 Total Backup (formerly Altaro 365 Backup), ProSight ECHO Backup based on Barracuda purpose-built storage, and ProSight MSP360 Hybrid Backup. Your Progent expert can assist you to determine which of these managed 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 and virus filtering service that uses the infrastructure of top information security vendors to deliver centralized control and comprehensive security for your email traffic. The hybrid architecture of Progent's Email Guard integrates a Cloud Protection Layer with a local gateway device to offer complete defense against spam, viruses, Denial of Service Attacks, Directory Harvest Attacks, and other email-borne threats. Email Guard's Cloud Protection Layer serves as a preliminary barricade and blocks the vast majority of unwanted email from reaching your security perimeter. This reduces your vulnerability to inbound threats and saves system bandwidth and storage space. Email Guard's on-premises gateway appliance provides a deeper level of analysis for inbound email. For outgoing email, the on-premises security gateway provides AV and anti-spam protection, protection against data leaks, and email encryption. The local gateway can also assist Exchange Server to track and safeguard internal email that stays within your corporate firewall. For more details, visit ProSight Email Guard spam filtering and data leakage protection.

• ProSight Duo Two-Factor Authentication: Identity Validation, Endpoint Policy Enforcement, and Protected Single Sign-on
  Progent's Duo authentication service plans incorporate Cisco's Duo cloud technology to defend against password theft by using two-factor authentication. Duo enables one-tap identity confirmation with iOS, Google Android, and other out-of-band devices. With 2FA, when you sign into a protected application and give your password you are requested to verify your identity on a unit that only you possess and that uses a different network channel. A broad range of out-of-band devices can be used as this added form of authentication such as an iPhone or Android or wearable, a hardware token, a landline phone, etc. You can designate multiple verification devices. To find out more about ProSight Duo identity validation services, visit Cisco Duo MFA two-factor authentication services for access security.

• Progent's Outsourced/Shared Call Desk: Support Desk Managed Services
  Progent's Support Desk managed services permit your IT staff to offload Support Desk services to Progent or divide activity for support services seamlessly between your internal network support staff and Progent's nationwide roster of certified IT service technicians, engineers and subject matter experts (SMEs). Progent's Shared Service Desk offers a seamless supplement to your core IT support resources. End user interaction with the Help Desk, provision of technical assistance, problem escalation, ticket creation and tracking, efficiency metrics, and management of the service database are consistent regardless of whether incidents are resolved by your in-house support organization, by Progent's team, or by a combination. Read more about Progent's outsourced/shared Service Desk services.

• Progent Active Defense Against Ransomware: AI-based Ransomware Detection and Remediation
  Progent's Active Defense Against Ransomware is an endpoint protection (EPP) service that incorporates cutting edge behavior analysis technology to defend endpoint devices and physical and virtual servers against new malware assaults such as ransomware and email phishing, which easily evade legacy signature-matching AV products. Progent ASM services protect on-premises and cloud resources and provides a unified platform to automate the entire threat progression including protection, infiltration detection, mitigation, remediation, and forensics. Top features include one-click rollback with Windows VSS and automatic system-wide immunization against newly discovered threats. Find out more about Progent's ransomware protection and cleanup services.

• ProSight IT Asset Management: Network Documentation Management
  Progent's ProSight IT Asset Management service is a cloud-based IT documentation management service that makes it easy to create, update, 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 about impending expirations of SSL certificates or warranties. By updating and managing your IT documentation, you can save up to half of time thrown away looking for critical information about your network. ProSight IT Asset Management includes a common repository for storing and sharing all documents required for managing your network infrastructure such as standard operating procedures and self-service instructions. ProSight IT Asset Management also offers a high level of automation for gathering and relating IT information. Whether you're making improvements, performing maintenance, or responding to a crisis, ProSight IT Asset Management gets you the knowledge you need when you need it. Read more about Progent's ProSight IT Asset Management service.

• Progent's Patch Management: Software/Firmware Update Management Services
  Progent's managed services for patch management provide businesses of any size a flexible and cost-effective alternative for assessing, testing, scheduling, implementing, and documenting updates to your dynamic IT system. In addition to optimizing the protection and functionality of your computer environment, Progent's software/firmware update management services permit your in-house IT team to concentrate on line-of-business projects and activities that derive maximum business value from your information network. Find out more about Progent's software/firmware update management services.

• ProSight Virtual Hosting: Hosted VMs at Progent's Tier III Data Center
  With ProSight Virtual Hosting service, a small business can have its key servers and applications hosted in a protected fault tolerant data center on a fast virtual host set up and maintained by Progent's IT support professionals. With Progent's ProSight Virtual Hosting model, the customer retains ownership of the data, the operating system platforms, and the apps. Because the system is virtualized, it can be moved easily to an alternate hardware environment without requiring a lengthy and difficult reinstallation process. With ProSight Virtual Hosting, your business is not tied a single hosting provider. Find out more details about ProSight Virtual Hosting services.

• ProSight Active Security Monitoring: Endpoint Protection and Ransomware Defense
  Progent's ProSight Active Security Monitoring is an endpoint protection (EPP) service that incorporates SentinelOne's cutting edge behavior analysis technology to defend physical and virtual endpoint devices against new malware attacks such as ransomware and email phishing, which routinely get by traditional signature-based anti-virus products. ProSight Active Security Monitoring protects on-premises and cloud resources and provides a single platform to manage the entire threat lifecycle including filtering, infiltration detection, mitigation, cleanup, and post-attack forensics. Key capabilities include single-click rollback with Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service and real-time system-wide immunization against newly discovered threats. Progent is a SentinelOne Partner, reseller, and integrator. Read more about Progent's ProSight Active Security Monitoring endpoint protection and ransomware recovery.

• ProSight Enhanced Security Protection (ESP): Physical and Virtual Endpoint Protection and Exchange Email Filtering
  ProSight Enhanced Security Protection services deliver ultra-affordable in-depth protection for physical servers and virtual machines, workstations, smartphones, and Exchange email. ProSight ESP uses adaptive security and advanced heuristics for continuously monitoring and responding to cyber assaults from all attack vectors. ProSight ESP offers firewall protection, intrusion alerts, device management, and web filtering via cutting-edge tools packaged within one agent managed from a single console. Progent's data protection and virtualization experts can assist you to plan and implement a ProSight ESP environment that addresses your company's specific needs and that allows you achieve and demonstrate compliance with legal and industry data protection regulations. Progent will assist you specify and configure policies that ProSight ESP will manage, and Progent will monitor your IT environment and react to alerts that require immediate attention. Progent's consultants can also help your company to set up and test a backup and restore solution such as ProSight Data Protection Services so you can recover rapidly from a destructive cyber attack like ransomware. Find out more about Progent's ProSight Enhanced Security Protection unified endpoint security and Exchange filtering.