Ransomware Playbook — Prevent, Respond, Recover

Ransomware attacks have become one of the most damaging cyber threats for small and mid-sized businesses. The scary part? Criminals don’t always need advanced skills — they often succeed through phishing emails, stolen passwords, or outdated software. This playbook gives you a clear path to strengthen defenses, respond fast, and recover with confidence.

Phase 1 — Prevent

The best ransomware attack is the one that never happens. Focus on closing common entry points:

• Enable MFA everywhere — email, VPNs, remote logins.
• Patch fast — apply updates for Windows, firewalls, and line-of-business apps.
• Train employees — quarterly phishing simulations build awareness.
• Secure remote access — disable unused ports, require VPNs, monitor RDP connections.

Phase 2 — Detect Early

Stopping ransomware in its tracks depends on speed:

• Deploy Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR): Tools like AVIAN monitor for unusual file encryption and block it.
• Monitor network traffic: Look for spikes in outbound data (possible data theft).
• Set alerts: Get notified when admin accounts are created or suspicious logins occur.

Phase 3 — Respond Immediately

If ransomware gets inside, the first minutes matter:

• Isolate affected devices to stop lateral spread.
• Shut down shared drives until you confirm integrity.
• Activate your incident response plan (who to call, what systems to check first).
• Engage authorities and cyber insurance providers — most require immediate notice.

Phase 4 — Recover Safely

Restoration is only possible if you’ve prepared:

• Immutable backups — ensure copies cannot be altered by ransomware.
• Test restores regularly — practice recovery so you’re not fumbling in a crisis.
• Communicate with clients — transparency reduces reputational damage.
• Do not rush to pay — many victims never get full access back even after paying.

Phase 5 — Strengthen for Next Time

Every incident is a chance to improve:

• Audit weaknesses — patch gaps exposed during the event.
• Update policies — refine backup, access, and response plans.
• Increase monitoring — expand AVIAN’s coverage to more endpoints and cloud services.
• Review compliance requirements — align with NIST, CIS, or industry-specific regulations.

Ransomware is a business-ending event if you’re not prepared. With AVIAN, you don’t just get monitoring — you get a full prevention, detection, and response strategy tailored to small and mid-sized businesses. Contact us today to build your ransomware playbook before attackers test your defenses.