SANS TOP 20 SECURITY CONTROLS Malware Defenses : Detection, prevention, reaction to Malware attacks

Fortifying Your Digital Bastion: A Comprehensive Guide to Detecting, Preventing, and Responding to Malware

In an age where digital threats loom large, organizations must proactively defend against malware. This persistent menace can wreak havoc on systems and compromise your sensitive data. This article delves into essential measures for detecting, preventing, and responding to malware, encompassing both malicious software and the rising tide of ransomware attacks. Protect your most valuable business assets.

MALWARE DETECTION

OUR BEST RECOMMENDATIONS!

Advanced Endpoint Protection

More and more sophisticated attacks require endpoint protection solutions that go beyond traditional antivirus software. These solutions use real-time scanning, heuristic analysis, and machine learning to identify and thwart malware at the device level.

At Bradley & Rollins, we believe in XDR like Sentinel One. In addition to being a market leader, the SentinelOne product comes with cyber insurance. The tool provides real-time scanning, heuristic analysis, and machine learning to identify and prevent malware at the device level. These tools offer behavioral analytics, integrated endpoint detection and response (EDR), and cloud-based threat intelligence for proactive mitigation.

Behavioral Analysis

Implementing systems that analyze user and system behavior and seeking anomalies that may indicate the presence of malware is crucial. At Bradley & Rollins, we believe there isn't just one tool to serve one purpose: Sentinel One can also solve that aspect by monitoring network and endpoint behaviors in real time, using artificial intelligence to identify deviations from standard patterns that may signal a malware infection analysis. This part is crucial for the detection of previously unknown threats.

NetworkTraffic Monitoring

We highly recommend employing continuous network traffic monitoring tools like Fortinets' Fortigate & Fortinalyzer to assist you in continuously analyzing data flows and detecting any abnormal patterns or communication behaviors that may signify a potential malware infection.

Deception Technologies

Because zero risk does not exist, Bradley & Rollins suggest strategically deploying honeypots within the network to attract and identify malicious activity. These decoy systems provide valuable insights into the tactics and techniques employed by cybercriminals in malware attacks. One word, one focus: detection.

MALWARE PREVENTION

WHERE TO EVEN GET STARTED?

Email Filtering

Between 60 and 70% of attacks happen via email. By implementing robust email filtering solutions, strengthen your organization's defenses against phishing attacks. For example, robust email filtering solutions such as Microsoft anti-spam Mime cast leverage advanced threat intelligence, machine learning, and behavior analysis to automatically identify and block malicious attachments, phishing attempts, and email links. These tools can identify and block malicious attachments and links before reaching users.

Web Filtering

To complete the previous point, we recommend using web filtering tools such as Fortigate to restrict access to known malicious websites. Organizations can limit their risk of downloading malware by preventing users from accessing these sites.

USB Device Control

Monitor and control the use of USB devices to prevent the introduction of malware through infected external storage devices.

User Education and Training

Educate employees on the malware risks, emphasizing the importance of responsible online behavior and the recognition of phishing attempts. The company can achieve this by different means. It could be organizing in-house learning lunch events, attending webinars, financing an expert's intervention, and conducting fake phishing campaigns afterward to monitor your risk level.

MALWARE RESPONSE

OUPS... IT HAPPENED! WHAT NOW?

Incident Response Plan

We highly recommend implementing and regularly updating an incident response plan for malware incidents. This plan should outline step-by-step procedures for identifying, containing, eradicating, and recovering from a malware attack. Seeking assistance from a cybersecurity firm can provide valuable expertise and support. 

At Bradley & Rollins, we will offer you tailored guidance in creating comprehensive incident response plans, conducting threat assessments, and providing specialized training for internal teams. 

Data Backup and Recovery

Establishing a robust backup strategy for critical data is your last resort: companies must apply the 3-2-1-0 backup rule: At least three copies of your data on two different media with at least one copy stored offsite for optimal protection. We then test each backup to ensure maximal safety. Tools such as Commvault and Veam are your allies regarding data backup. Regularly backup data and test the recovery process to ensure swift restoration during a malware attack, especially ransomware.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Implement SIEM solutions to aggregate and analyze security data from various sources. SIEM tools facilitate rapid detection and response to malware-related incidents.

Ransomware rollback

A Ransomware rollback is a procedure designed to return a system to a previous state before a ransomware attack compromised it. Bradley & Rollins believe in SentinelOne rollback tool.

Detecting, preventing, and responding to malware demands a multi-faceted and proactive approach. By implementing these measures, organizations can create a resilient defense against the evolving landscape of malicious software and ransomware. Regularly reassess and update your security posture to stay ahead of emerging threats, ensuring that your digital bastion remains impervious to the ever-present dangers.

Bradley & Rollins assists you in detecting, preventing, and responding to malware attacks. Follow us on LinkedIn for more informative content.