The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released guidance to help government and private sector organizations prevent data breaches resulting from ransomware double extortion schemes.

“Ransomware is a serious and increasing threat to all government and private sector organizations, including critical infrastructure organizations,” CISA said.

“All organizations are at risk of falling victim to a ransomware incident and are responsible for protecting sensitive and personal data stored on their systems.”


How to block ransomware and protect data

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommendations shared in the info sheet published on Wednesday designed to streamline the process of preventing and responding to ransomware-caused data breaches.

Among the advice included to prevent ransomware attacks, CISA says that at-risk orgs should:

  • Maintain offline, encrypted backups of data and regularly test backups
  • Create, maintain, and exercise a basic cyber incident response plan, resiliency plan, and associated communications plan
  • Mitigate internet-facing vulnerabilities and misconfigurations to reduce the attack vector
  • Reduce the risk of phishing emails from reaching end users by enabling strong spam filters and implementing user awareness and training programs
  • Practice good cyber hygiene (use up-to-date anti-malware solutions and application allowlisting, enable MFA, and limit the number of privileged accounts)

To block ransomware gangs from gaining access to customer or employee sensitive or personal information, CISA recommends:

  • Implementing physical security best practices
  • Implementing cybersecurity best practices (don’t store sensitive data on Internet-exposed devices, encrypt sensitive info at rest and in transit, use firewalls, use network segmentation)
  • Ensure your cyber incident response and communications plans include response and notification procedures for
    data breach incidents

Additional info on how to defend against and respond to ransomware attacks is available in the fact sheet and on CISA’s recently launched StopRansomware.gov web portal.