Managed Detection and Response: Ransomware Canaries

When it comes to ransomware detection, time is everything

Detecting ransomware fast can make all the difference in response time for protecting your network and data. That's where Locknet’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) comes in because ransomware canaries can play a key role to detect ransomware attacks. What are ransomware canaries? Coal miners used to depend upon canaries to determine the presence of carbon monoxide—hence the safety of the air in a coal mine, which protected the workers. Ransomware canaries work much the same way, serving as a warning when your network is under attack so that you and your network security partner can respond to the threat fast. If you have Locknet’s MDR services, a ransomware canary may serve a critical role in your network protection.

How does a ransomware canary work for Managed Detection and Response?

Ransomware aims to encrypt your data quickly, so you can no longer access it. Every year, thousands of companies fall victim to ransomware. Recently, critical infrastructure companies have been targeted by cybercriminals, with back-to-back attacks on food production and oil companies, compelling the White House to issue a recommendation that businesses of all sizes must take ransomware more seriously. Ransomware canaries can help control the damage.

How does a ransomware canary work? At Locknet® Managed IT, our Managed Detection and Response services, ransomware canaries help enable faster and earlier detection of potential ransomware incidents. When deployed, a small file is placed on all protected endpoints, and if that file is modified or changed in any way, it will alert Locknet immediately to begin an investigation and respond swiftly to confirm whether those changes are the result of a ransomware attack. Simply put, a ransomware canary gives us a heads up that something has changed, and that something is likely to be an attack, buying us valuable time to protect your data. It provides the critical intelligence needed to quickly respond to an attack.

How Managed Detection and Response Services help

Ransomware attacks are growing in number and sophistication daily. And we've seen how these attacks on a national level can bring businesses and critical infrastructure to a standstill. It's easy to feel a false sense of security that medium and small businesses are safe, but that's simply not the case. Hackers know the smaller the business, the less likely you are to have robust protection in place and the security knowledge and updates you need—so while you may not be Fortune 500, you could be a business that loses a small fortune. There are businesses in our region that have been forced to pay significant ransoms to regain access to their data after it's been encrypted by ransomware. In many cases, those businesses had no access to their information and systems their businesses rely on to operate for weeks. How much would you stand to lose? You need every tool in the network security toolbox to defend your network. Managed Detection and Response services are a critical piece of your company's long-term sustainability.

Interested in Managed Detection and Response Services?

Whether you're ready to augment your existing IT capabilities or onboard a full-scope Managed Service Provider, Locknet® Managed IT is here to help. Our expert staff is dedicated to staying a step ahead of hackers and other cybercriminals, so you always have the best protection from the latest threats on the digital landscape. Want to know more about managed detection and response? Contact us for more information about how we can support your network security and protect your business from cyberattacks.