The rise of the hybrid workplace has accelerated the shift towards digitalization. This has also exposed enterprises to a new set of cybersecurity threats, such as ransomware attacks. It’s a form of cyber threat in which the attacker destroys or attacks sensitive files or folders and blocks users’ access to critical data and then, the attacker demands extortion money in lieu of providing access to the data again.
Microsoft 365 cloud environment defines a ransomware attack as an action where the valid user credentials of all critical files and folders pertaining to the user account of tenant is taken by an unintended party.
Why It is Critical to Have a Robust Ransomware Mitigation And Recovery Capabilities
Having a cloud-based system, such as Microsoft 365 must be loaded with powerful ransomware protection and mitigation features. The reason is it minimizes attacker’s ability to infiltrate in the system while at the same time makes it extremely difficult to take control of the tenant.
Here are some of the ways to protect from ransomware attacks:
Security baseline is the first line of defence in any cloud system. This is the basic security requirements in any cloud environment. Not having a properly configured security baseline is quickly identified by attackers and they can exploit easily. There are basic security rules which must be put in place and keep working gradually to strengthen your baseline security.
Constantly minimize the scope of vulnerabilities in the system and connected devices. This can be done by configuring attack surface rules, which helps block suspicious activity and vulnerable content. These rules include preventing.
To fight ransomware and phishing threats, IT leaders should be able to identify threat signals and their impact in advance. Only then, such threats can be prevented. Putting in place a well-orchestrated system, such as Microsoft Defender app can help achieve this goal by evaluating and investigating all malicious insider actions that can result in serious ransomware vulnerabilities later. Then, they automate actions to prevent attacks and also self-heal impacted areas such as mailboxes and endpoints.
It goes without saying that reducing the surface area attack is crucial for enterprise data security in the hybrid cloud environment. Make it harder to compromise user credentials and infiltrate in your cloud environment. A security leader should know how the attacker can move in the cloud environment after infiltrating in the IT environment.
Next comes protecting endpoint devices from ransomware attacks. It can be done by deploying Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Mobile Application Management (MAM). What is required is enforcement of common security policies for validating user credentials.
Protecting business-critical information has become a major source of worry for security professionals. The need of the hour is to understand that it’s not only about deploying a software system, you cannot protect information without implementing a robust governance policy, DLP (data loss prevention) and classifying sensitivity labels.
To know more about DLP and sensitivity labelling, read our blog:
Data Loss Prevention: Why It Matters And Best Practices
Final Words
The million-dollar question is how you can achieve above objectives. Implementing a robust security will certainly help reduce the probability of attack in your Microsoft 365 cloud environment. It requires creating a structured and well-defined robust governance and security architecture using a 365SecurityREADY approach to protect from modern cybersecurity threats, including ransomware and phishing.