Top Tips for Mitigating Ransomware

Ransomware remains one of the most significant cybersecurity threats facing organizations today. It not only puts sensitive data at risk but can also disrupt operations, lead to costly breaches, and damage reputation. Luckily, innovative solutions like ShardSecure offer advanced strategies to safeguard data both on-premises, in the cloud, or across multi-cloud environments. Here are top tips for mitigating ransomware threats utilizing ShardSecure’s cutting-edge features.

1. Implement File-Level Encryption for Data Security

ShardSecure’s platform uses robust, file-level encryption to protect data at rest and in transit. This granular encryption approach ensures that even if attackers manage to compromise your environment, they won’t be able to access or exploit the data.

Tip: Unfortunately, most encryption at rest only protects against the physical theft of the system. (For instance, if someone wheels in a cart and steals a server from the rack.) File encryption offers a solution. It’s what allows data to be secured independently of its infrastructure — meaning that data remains uncompromised even if an admin credential is compromised. Ensure your solution is providing this benefit.

2. Leverage Self-Healing Technology for Data Resilience

One of ShardSecure’s hallmarks is its self-healing capability. If a portion of the data is encrypted or corrupted due to ransomware or other forms of cyberattack, the system can automatically detect and repair affected files by reconstructing data from its redundant fragments in real-time.

Tip: Enable and configure self-healing features to ensure rapid recovery with minimal downtime. This reduces the impact of ransomware payloads and minimizes data loss.

3. Adopt a Zero-Trust Approach with Multi-Layered Security

ShardSecure’s encryption and self-healing work best when combined with a zero-trust security mindset. Always assume breaches can happen and verify every access request. Use multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, and access controls to restrict unauthorized data access.

Tip: Incorporate ShardSecure into a layered security architecture to create multiple hurdles for ransomware actors, thereby reducing the likelihood of successful infiltration.

4. Protect Data Across Multiple Environments

Whether your data resides on-premises, in the cloud, or across multiple cloud providers, ShardSecure’s architecture is designed to operate seamlessly across these environments. Its multi-cloud capabilities ensure consistent data protection regardless of where data resides, reducing complexity and attack surfaces.

Tip: Maintain a consistent security posture across all environments. Regularly audit and verify data integrity and access privileges across clouds and on-premises systems.

5. Automate Data Backup and Verification

While ShardSecure’s self-healing technology helps recover corrupted data, it’s crucial to maintain recent, reliable backups. Automate backup routines to include the encrypted data fragments and verify their integrity periodically.

Tip: Test restore procedures regularly to ensure backup files are usable and that recovery processes work smoothly in case of an attack.

6. Educate Your Team and Stay Updated

Cybersecurity is a team effort. Regular training on ransomware threats, phishing, and safe data handling complements technological defenses. Keep your security solutions, like ShardSecure, updated with the latest patches and features.

Tip: Participate in security awareness programs and stay informed about emerging ransomware techniques to proactively defend your environment.

7. Going Agentless: File Encryption with ShardSecure

ShardSecure’s agentless file encryption technology offers robust data protection without the performance drawbacks and management requirements of agent-based solutions.

The platform uses strong FIPS 140-3 compliant encryption and microsharding technology to safeguard sensitive data at rest — allowing organizations to secure their data without the cost and complexity of agent-based software.

Tip: Prioritize encrypting your most sensitive data first with ShardSecure to maximize security and efficiency, ensuring vital information is protected without unnecessary resource use.

In Summary:

Mitigating ransomware requires a combination of advanced technology and best practices. ShardSecure’s file-level encryption and self-healing data recovery provide powerful defenses, especially when integrated into a comprehensive, layered security strategy across all environments. By implementing these tips, organizations can significantly strengthen their resilience against ransomware threats and ensure business continuity in challenging cybersecurity landscapes.

ShardSecure Spark is currently free for those with a data requirement of up to 10 GB – so trialling ShardSecure has never been easier. Spark is free for unlimited time for up to 10 GB to see how we solve the ongoing ransomware threat for you and to download simply visit  https://go.shardsecure.com/spark