CyberCom | Digital Forensics Experts

As seasoned cyber incident responders in South Africa, we’ve witnessed the dramatic evolution of ransomware from a nuisance to a critical threat capable of bringing entire organisations to their knees. 

One of the reasons for this dramatic shift is the fact that today’s ransomware groups are no longer content with simple file encryption. They’ve adopted sophisticated tactics that amplify the pressure on their victims and complicate the incident response process. The rise of double extortion tactics, where attackers not only encrypt data but also threaten to leak sensitive information, has added a new layer of complexity to our decision-making processes during incidents.

We’ve also observed a disturbing trend towards supply chain attacks. By targeting software suppliers or managed service providers, threat actors can now compromise multiple organisations simultaneously. This shift in tactics requires us to broaden our threat models and reassess our third-party risk management strategies.

The proliferation of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) models has democratised cybercrime, lowering the barrier to entry for would-be attackers. This has led to a surge in the number and variety of ransomware incidents, making our jobs as incident responders increasingly challenging. We’re no longer dealing with a handful of known threat actors but a diverse ecosystem of cybercriminals with varying levels of sophistication.

The cutting edge of incident response

In response to these evolving threats, we’ve had to adapt our incident response strategies significantly. Rapid isolation and containment have become more critical than ever. We now advocate for rigorous network segmentation and predefined procedures for quickly disconnecting systems to prevent the lateral movement of threat actors if they manage to breach perimeter defences. This approach requires a delicate balance between decisive action and maintaining essential business operations.

Here are a few actions that lay the foundation for successful incident response:

  • Have a complete and comprehensive asset inventory at your fingertips. In the heat of an incident, the ability to quickly identify potentially affected systems and prioritise our response efforts can make the difference between a contained incident and a catastrophic breach. This inventory must extend beyond on-premises assets to include cloud resources, reflecting the hybrid nature of modern IT environments.
  • Have fast and efficient access to offline backups. We’ve seen too many organisations fall victim to ransomware only to discover that their backups were also encrypted or tampered with. We now insist on regular backups stored offline or in immutable storage, providing a lifeline for recovery even in the face of the most sophisticated attacks.
  • Have clear communication protocols in place and the ability to reach a 24/7 incident response team. We’ve learned the hard way that normal communication systems can be compromised, necessitating the establishment of out-of-band methods, such as our Cyber+ app. Having these protocols in place ensures that we can coordinate our response effectively, even when standard channels are unavailable.
  • Develop decision-making frameworks in advance. One of the most challenging aspects of ransomware incident response is navigating the complex decision-making process surrounding ransom demands. These frameworks must consider legal, ethical, and business continuity factors, providing a structured approach to guide our actions during high-pressure situations.
  • Bring a host of experts onboard. The structure of the incident response team itself has evolved to meet the challenges posed by ransomware. For example, Cybercom’s multidisciplinary approach brings together technical experts, legal experts, and digital forensic experts, to work closely with executive leadership. This holistic team structure ensures that all aspects of the incident are addressed comprehensively.

Begin with a proactive approach

In our experience, proactive measures are just as important as reactive capabilities in combating ransomware. Regular threat hunting exercises have proven invaluable in detecting potential compromises before they escalate. We’ve also seen the benefits of robust endpoint protection solutions with behavioural analysis capabilities, which can detect and prevent ransomware execution even when faced with novel variants.

Given that phishing remains a primary vector for initial compromise, we cannot overemphasize the importance of strong email and web filtering solutions. These act as a first line of defence, blocking malicious content before it can reach end-users. Coupled with regular security awareness training for all employees, these measures significantly reduce the risk of successful ransomware attacks.

It’s also important to monitor the dark web. Understanding the specific threat actors behind an attack provides crucial insights into their tactics, techniques, and procedures. This intelligence informs our response strategies and helps us anticipate the attacker’s next moves. 

How CyberCom Africa can help

The key to successful ransomware incident response lies in preparation, agility, and a holistic approach that combines technical measures with strategic decision-making and ethical considerations. In this ongoing battle against ransomware, staying informed, agile, and resilient is not just an option—it’s an imperative.

CyberCom Africa’s incident response services prepare our clients to prevent, detect and respond rapidly and decisively in order to improve cyber resilience. The aim of our Services is to enable faster response, quicker containment and reduced impact. 

Scroll to top
ankara escort
ankara escort çankaya escort çankaya escort escort bayan çankaya istanbul rus escort eryaman escort ankara escort kızılay escort istanbul escort ankara escort ankara escort escort ankara istanbul rus Escort atasehir Escort beylikduzu Escort Ankara Escort malatya Escort kuşadası Escort gaziantep Escort izmir Escort