Ransomware: Don’t just defend, plan to recover

Conclusion: Ransomware attacks have been in the news lately with Toll, Talman, Travelex and Manheim Auctions all having their day-to-day operations completely shattered. Many pundits and security product vendors are touting their initiatives to help an organisation defend itself against such an attack.
Despite all best efforts, there is no 100 % guaranteed defence against succumbing to a ransomware attack. So rather than investing still more funds in defensive products, it is well worthwhile creating a strategy to allow a rapid recovery or reestablishment of service after being struck by an attack.
It is possible to develop some strategies, all relatively inexpensive apart from time, that will position an organisation to have an excellent chance of quickly returning to normal productivity after a ransomware attack.

About The Advisor
Peter Sandilands
Peter Sandilands is an IBRS advisor who specialises in cyber security, risk and compliance. Peter has over 40 years’ experience in the IT industry with the last 20 years focused on security. He has spoken at conferences and industry briefings across Asia Pacific. Peter was instrumental in the introduction of Check Point Software to Australia, leading the operation for five years. Prior to that Peter was a key strategist in the broadening of Novell’s market across Asia Pacific. Since then he has spent nearly 10 years working for large Australian companies in banking, mining and transport delivering security strategy, security architecture and compliance assessments. Peter has also assisted overseas security vendors enter the Australian market with a focus on the strategic use of the products. As a casual academic at UTS for over 20 years, Peter lectured in network security, Cloud security and networking technologies. With his experience across vendors, channel and business, Peter brings a pragmatic approach to implementing and assessing cyber security. Peter has a Master's of Cyber Security from Charles Sturt University.