RANSOMWARE RESPONSE PLAN

Ransomware Response plan is crucial to mitigate long term risks and vulnerabilities within the Company. This plan has been developed to provide a structured and coordinated approach to effectively detect, mitigate and recover from ransomware attacks.

1. PURPOSE
   1. This Ransomware Response Plan outlines the procedures and steps to be followed in the event of a ransomware incident attack to minimize damage and safeguard Company’s data from such attacks.
2. PREPARATION
   1. Following are the fundamental requirements, to effectively respond to a ransomware incident attack.
   • Backup strategy- Backup of data is essential to ensure the recoverability of data while aligning with the Company’s data and requirements. All critical and sensitive data must be protected adequately.
   • Security Software- Anti-malware software should be installed and regularly updated on all information systems to detect and prevent the execution of malicious code. Regular patching and updates of operating systems, applications, and firmware should be performed to address known security vulnerabilities.
   • Limited User Access- Access to information systems and data should be granted based on the principle of least privilege, ensuring that individuals have only the access necessary to perform their job responsibilities.
   • Training and Incident Response Team- An incident response plan should be established to ensure a coordinated and effective response to incidents. Incidents should be reported promptly to the designated individuals or incident teams, and appropriate escalation procedures should be followed.
3. DETECTION
   1. Continuous monitoring should be maintained to determine how much data was affected and how many systems were breached whether single server or multiple servers were under attack. Users or Responsible Team should stay informed about current ransomware threats and tactics
4. DISABLE AFFECTED SYSTEMS
   1. All affected systems containing ransomware incident must be isolated or disabled from the network to prevent further spread and damage. Following steps may help in disabling the affected systems;
   • Disconnect from the Network- Immediately disconnect the affected system or systems from the network. Network isolation is essential to prevent the ransomware from spreading to other devices.
   • Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth- Ensure that wireless communication methods like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also turned off to prevent potential lateral movement of the ransomware.
   • Isolate Servers and Segments- If the ransomware has infected a server or specific network segment, isolate that server or segment from the rest of the network. This can be done through network access controls and firewall rules.
   1. Identify all affected systems and devices to ensure they are properly isolated.
   2. Maintain a detailed document of all actions taken during the isolation process, including timestamps and affected devices. This documentation is essential for incident response and recovery.
5. DAMAGE CONTROL
   1. Once the Responsible team, handling the ransomware attack is sure and confident that it is no longer active and spreading, identify the ransomware variant that infected the systems and find the essential decryption tools.
   2. Before making any changes to the affected systems, The Designated Team must ensure that backups are clean and free from any further ransomware. Use up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware tools to scan and identify all malicious files and processes associated with the ransomware.
   3. All operating systems and software on the affected systems must be updated with the latest security patches and updated firewall rules, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus definitions to guard against future threats.
   4. Reset passwords and access credentials for users who had accounts on compromised systems. Ensure that strong, unique passwords are used to prevent unauthorized access.
6. RECOVERY OF DATA
   1. Restore all the essential data of the Company and systems from the Backups. Rebuild affected systems with configuration.
   2. The designated team must ensure that restored systems function as per the requirement.
7. SECURITY AUDIT
   1. Security audit must be performed to identify and prevent the source of breach.
   2. Document such incident logs and steps taken during the ransomware attack for future reference and regulatory compliance.
8. RISK MITIGATION
   1. Additional security measures will be implemented within the company to reduce the risk of future attacks.
   2. The Company will conduct Security Risk Assessments to identify and evaluate the risks within the Company..
9. SECURITY AWARENESS
   1. The Company will promote security awareness through regular communication, reminders, and awareness campaigns.
   2. Employees and stakeholders will be encouraged to report any suspicious activities, security concerns, or potential breaches.
10. COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS REGULATIONS
    1. Individuals working within the Company must adhere to the required applicable laws and regulations. The employee must comply with company’s policies and procedures with respect and dignity. Employees and Supervisors must stay informed about the laws relevant to their roles and responsibilities and ensure that their actions and decisions align with legal standards of the Company.
11. CHANGES TO THE PLAN
    1. We reserve to right to update and make changes to this plan from time to time based on the working conditions of the Company. The Company on updating this plan will inform the members of the Company.
12. FURTHER INFORMATION
    1. For any queries or further Information regarding our Company or about this plan , the concerned person can contact us through email [ EMAIL ADDRESS]
13. ACKNOWLEGEMENT
    1. We expect all employees to adhere to this Plan of the Company. The Company will apply this plan consistently and fairly to ensure a harmonious and productive workplace for all.
    2. By signing below, you acknowledge that you have carefully read and understood the terms and contents of this Plan.
    3. You acknowledge that you will follow the set guidelines of this Plan as well as of the Company and failure to do so; the Company can take Disciplinary action against such individuals.

COMPANY                    

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Authorized Signature

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