The competition in the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry is stiff enough without having to prepare for a ransomware attack. Unfortunately, this is not a matter of if, but when, you will experience an attack. The silver lining in this matter is that just as the SaaS industry has evolved, so has the protection from these kinds of attacks. InterVision’s  (RPaaS™) is the SaaS industry’s first and only holistic solution to ransomware attacks. RPaaS focuses on the entire lifecycle of detection, protection, and recovery. Ransomware can have devastating impacts on SaaS companies, and this blog will answer some of the more common questions about the issue.

 

What is a Ransomware Attack?

First and foremost, we need to understand what ransomware is and what this attack can do to your company. Ransomware is a form of malware (malicious software) that can block data access by encrypting it or releasing your sensitive information to the public. The goal of a ransomware attack is to blackmail the victimized party into paying for access to their data again. Often, companies hit with one of these attacks will be given a deadline to transfer over the money, or else they will release or delete the data forever. Cloud ransomware, which SaaS companies are highly susceptible to attacks that locks users out of their devices. For non SaaS companies, they may only have to get their own control back, but with SaaS companies, these attacks can take data from the customer base as well and lock them out of their accounts.

Ransomware attacks are unfortunately quite common, and the ways these attacks happen are deceivingly simple. One of the more well-known methods of implementing ransomware is through a phishing scam. This is a fake email made to look very official in hopes that the recipient will click on one of the malicious links.

 

What To Do in a Ransomware Attack

The course of action that a team takes after a ransomware attack occurs is vital to minimizing the potential damage of the situation. Every SaaS organization should have a procedure they follow when an attack occurs, but here is a general list of actions that can be taken in the event of ransomware.

• Quarantine: Identify the initially attacked system and disconnect it from the rest of the network. Ransomware will often scan for other systems on a network after the first device is infected. SaaS companies will need to quarantine themselves and back-up any of the compromised data to ensure the safety of their business and customer information.
• Report: Beyond internal efforts, it is always recommended that you contact the authorities about the attack. Ransomware attacks are a crime, and law enforcement may be able to help with encrypted files so you can get your data back safe and sound. For SaaS companies, giving your users the ability to report suspicious activity can help pinpoint the source of the attack.
• Reset: After you survive the attack, you should perform a company-wide wipe of all your current passwords and security methods. To help beef up your digital security, investing in two-step authentication tools for both employees and users of the platform can help prevent future attacks from happening.

All of these efforts can be strengthened by partnering with InterVision. Our RPaaS solution addresses an organization’s broader IT security and disaster recovery requirements while closing the gaps in its clients’ ransomware protection and recovery strategies.

 

How to Prevent Ransomware?

While having a detailed plan after an attack takes place is beneficial, implementing proactive efforts is an even better decision. Not every company will need to take the exact same measures for their protection, but here is a list of ransomware best practices for preventing attacks.

• Updated Systems: A common factor that leads to security gaps is that systems are not consistently updated. Most systems will allow for an auto-update feature, but it is still wise to manually ensure all systems are up-to-date. For a SaaS company this could look like regular security updates where you can even make users create new passwords to login to your platform, making it even more secure.
• Early Detection: Our RPaaS solution is able to detect the presence of malware before it is fully injected into your system. If you are unable to detect early enough, some of the damage will be irreparable.
• Simplify Operations: As a SaaS company, your customers are consistently active inside your system using your services. Having a complex method of protection can actually lead to a more difficult time protecting and recovering from a ransomware attack. Implementing a simple yet robust system like RPaaS means you get all of the great protection without having to struggle to manage it.

Having a strong security system and plenty of backups can lessen the severity of an attack, but implementing software that can detect ransomware before it infects your system is a must-have. In 2021, we found that 66% of organizations surveyed said they’d suffered at least one ransomware attack in the last year. We know first-hand the kind of impact these attacks can have, which is why our RPaaS service is of the industry’s best at preventing ransomware attacks.

 

InterVision: Peace of Mind

Even the best reaction to a ransomware attack means your data was still compromised. Our dedicated team at InterVision wants to step in before attacks ever happen to ensure your team has every defense against this malware. As data shows, ransomware attacks are a matter of when, not if. Preventing an attack from ever impacting your data and systems is the best outcome, but a singular focus on prevention can lead to gaps in your ransomware strategy, leaving your organization vulnerable. To ensure those gaps are filled in, contact us to get started with your new RPaaS service plan.