Incident Response & Digital Forensics

Ransomware Response

  • May 9, 2025
  • 0

Sherlocked Security – Ransomware Response

Rapid Detection, Containment, and Recovery to Mitigate the Impact of Ransomware Attacks

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: Ransomware Response
Client Type: Enterprises, Critical Infrastructure, Government Agencies, Healthcare Providers
Service Model: On-Demand Engagement & Retainer Support
Compliance Alignment: NIST 800-53, ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS

Ransomware Response Includes:

  • Immediate Identification and Containment of Ransomware Attack
  • Assessment of the Scope of the Infection
  • Incident Response and Coordination with Law Enforcement (if needed)
  • Ransomware Decryption and File Recovery (where possible)
  • Forensic Analysis to Determine Root Cause
  • Post-Incident Reporting and Recommendations for Future Prevention

2. Our Approach

[Preparation] → [Incident Identification] → [Containment & Isolation] → [Recovery & Remediation] → [Root Cause Analysis] → [Post-Incident Review & Recommendations]

3. Methodology

  • Pre-Incident Setup: Ensure that robust backups are available, endpoint detection tools are deployed, and antivirus software is up-to-date.
  • Incident Identification: Use real-time monitoring and alerting systems to detect ransomware behavior (e.g., encryption of files, suspicious network traffic).
  • Containment & Isolation: Quickly isolate infected systems to prevent lateral movement and data exfiltration.
  • Recovery & Remediation: Restore systems from backups, decrypt files (if possible), and remove any remaining ransomware variants from the environment.
  • Root Cause Analysis: Conduct forensic analysis to determine how the attacker infiltrated the network (e.g., phishing, vulnerability exploitation).
  • Post-Incident Review & Recommendations: Generate a detailed report that outlines the attack vector, scope, and recovery efforts, along with actionable recommendations to strengthen defenses.

4. Deliverables to the Client

  1. Incident Report: A comprehensive report detailing the attack, how it was detected, the scope of the infection, and the response steps taken.
  2. Ransomware Analysis: A detailed examination of the ransomware variant used, including the encryption mechanism and any related IOCs (Indicators of Compromise).
  3. Decryption & Recovery Status: An update on the success of decryption and file recovery efforts, including any remaining gaps.
  4. Root Cause Report: An analysis of how the ransomware gained entry, including an assessment of network vulnerabilities or weaknesses.
  5. Post-Incident Recommendations: Actionable recommendations for improving ransomware defenses, including improved endpoint detection, network segmentation, and user awareness training.

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

  • Access to Infected Systems: Full access to the infected systems for forensic analysis and recovery efforts.
  • Backup Data: Access to backup systems and data (if available) for file recovery.
  • Network Architecture Information: Detailed information about the network setup, including any segmentation, firewall rules, and critical systems.
  • Endpoint Security Data: Access to endpoint protection tools, logs, and any relevant system information.
  • Incident Details: Any alerts, logs, or initial incident reports that can help identify the initial attack vector.

6. Tools & Technology Stack

  • Ransomware Detection & Response:
    • CrowdStrike or Carbon Black for endpoint detection and response (EDR) to identify malicious behaviors associated with ransomware.
    • SentinelOne or Cylance for AI-based endpoint protection.
  • Forensic Tools:
    • FTK Imager for disk imaging and data recovery.
    • Autopsy for disk forensic analysis.
    • Volatility for memory analysis in case of memory-resident ransomware.
  • Ransomware Decryption:
    • NoMoreRansom for decryption tools and resources related to known ransomware variants.
    • Decryptor tools from cybersecurity vendors (e.g., Kaspersky, Avast) if available for the specific ransomware strain.
  • Incident Management:
    • TheHive or ServiceNow for incident management and reporting.
    • MISP for sharing IOCs with other organizations and threat intelligence platforms.

7. Engagement Lifecycle

  1. Client Onboarding & Incident Briefing: Gather necessary details regarding the ransomware attack and any initial detection or containment actions.
  2. Incident Identification & Containment: Identify the infected systems and isolate them to prevent further damage.
  3. Recovery & Remediation: Begin the recovery process using backups, decryption tools, and remediation measures.
  4. Forensic Analysis & Root Cause Investigation: Conduct forensic investigation to determine how the attack occurred and identify the initial entry point.
  5. Post-Incident Reporting & Recommendations: Deliver a report outlining the attack, recovery process, and suggested actions to prevent future ransomware incidents.

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature Sherlocked Advantage
Rapid Incident Response Fast identification, containment, and remediation of ransomware attacks.
Ransomware Decryption Expertise Proven track record in decrypting files and recovering from ransomware incidents.
Comprehensive Forensic Analysis Full forensic analysis to uncover the root cause and attack vector.
Actionable Post-Incident Recommendations Detailed recommendations to mitigate future ransomware threats and improve incident response.
Tailored Recovery Plans Customized recovery plans based on your infrastructure and operational needs.

9. Real-World Case Studies

Ransomware Attack on Healthcare Provider

Client: A healthcare provider experienced a widespread ransomware attack that encrypted patient data.
Findings: We identified that the attack began with a phishing email that led to an initial compromise. The ransomware encrypted files on critical healthcare systems.
Outcome: We successfully restored data from backups and assisted with decryption efforts for partially encrypted files. Post-incident, we recommended improvements in email filtering, endpoint protection, and user training.

Ransomware Attack on Financial Institution

Client: A financial institution was targeted by a ransomware attack that disrupted their operations.
Findings: Our forensic investigation showed that the ransomware spread through an unpatched vulnerability in an outdated system.
Outcome: We contained the attack quickly, restored operations using secure backups, and recommended a vulnerability management process to prevent similar future incidents.

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

  1. Incident Detection: Monitor systems for signs of ransomware activity (e.g., file encryption, ransom note creation).
  2. Containment: Isolate affected systems to prevent the spread of the ransomware.
  3. Forensic Investigation: Collect forensic data (logs, memory dumps, and system artifacts) to understand the attack vector and identify the ransomware strain.
  4. Recovery: Restore systems using clean backups and decryption tools, where applicable.
  5. Root Cause Analysis: Identify how the ransomware entered the network (e.g., phishing, vulnerability exploitation).
  6. Post-Incident Review & Recommendations: Generate a report detailing the attack, recovery process, and improvements to prevent future incidents.

11. Ransomware Response – Readiness Checklist

1. Pre-Incident Setup

  • [ ] Regular Backups: Ensure regular and secure backups of critical systems and data.
  • [ ] Endpoint Protection: Deploy up-to-date endpoint protection software to detect ransomware and other malicious threats.
  • [ ] Network Segmentation: Segment networks to minimize the lateral movement of ransomware.

2. During Ransomware Response

  • [ ] Incident Detection: Use monitoring tools to detect suspicious activity indicative of a ransomware attack.
  • [ ] Containment: Isolate infected systems and prevent further communication with other network devices.
  • [ ] Decryption: Attempt decryption of files using available tools or through coordination with law enforcement.
  • [ ] Recovery: Restore systems from secure backups and remove ransomware remnants from the environment.

3. Post-Incident Response

  • [ ] Incident Report: Document the full details of the attack, including the attack vector, scope, and response actions.
  • [ ] Root Cause Analysis: Conduct a thorough investigation to determine how the ransomware entered the system.
  • [ ] Preventive Measures: Implement recommendations for patch management, endpoint protection, and network segmentation to prevent future attacks.

4. Continuous Improvement

  • [ ] Lessons Learned: Regularly update incident response plans based on findings from ransomware incidents.
  • [ ] Staff Training: Conduct regular training on ransomware detection, response, and prevention for all employees.
  • [ ] System Hardening: Strengthen systems against ransomware attacks through regular patching and security improvements.
Threat Actor Attribution
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