These 3 tech giants have revolutionized ransomware resilience, so you can now protect your organization’s cyber security.    

Relentless, Reckless and Ruthless

Despite the vast advancements in cyber-security we’ve made in the past decade, ransomware continues to plague us. 

It can be frustratingly resilient to our security measures, constantly mutating and wreaking havoc like the dreaded coronavirus. 

This crisis demonstrates the need for more robust and innovative cyber-security solutions. 

Fortunately, owing to patents filed by these three tech giants, we can shield our organizations from ransomware with much greater efficacy today. 

#1 Cisco

Select patented algorithms pioneered by Cisco (e.g., US10826783B2) are exemplary in their capabilities to glean insights from ransomware incidents. Further, they leverage these insights to enhance their proficiency in detecting and decimating all kinds of ransomware threats that could occur. 

So, how do these algorithms work?

These algorithms scrutinize the typical ways in which ransomware attackers transmit data during an operation. This scrutiny enables them to have a nuanced grasp of identifying and effectively combating ransomware attacks that don’t align with the usual network pattern behavior. 

Instead, their unusual behavior is instantly recognized by activities like a sudden upsurge in data traffic, atypical outbound connections, and/or data flows that don’t comply with the network’s regular operational framework.    

#2 Sophos

Sophos offers robust protection against ransomware by leveraging the latest, most powerful technology. These include:

AI and Machine Learning

These tools go far beyond the traditional methods of detecting cyber-security threats. They can detect the threat even before it is executed and stop it dead in its tracks.

Algorithms that Work with Existing Antivirus

By hyper-focusing on ransomware threats, Sophos ensures that it works with and not against your existing security measures. It acts as a bonus to your security measures so that you have the most robust system overall, wherein each measure complements the other’s capabilities. 

Emphasizing Recovery

While offering some of the best-in-class pre-emptive defense against ransomware, Sophos places equal importance on recovery when an untoward event occurs, despite all the next-gen precautionary measures.  

So, even in the uncommon scenario of a ransomware attack, Sophos enables data recovery without needing to interact with the attackers. They attain this recovery by capturing key material used in the encryption by the ransomware.  

Censoring Network Traffic

Sophos blocks unauthorized or illicit data transfer by vigilantly screening network traffic. Data exfiltration is a common precursor to ransomware encryption. So, by preventing the precursor—typically in the form of data theft—it significantly lowers the attackers’ hold over their victims.  

The chief among these patented encryption technologies is patent US10750244B2, but several others make Sophos one of the most powerful players in the anti-ransomware field.

#3 IBM 

IBM also leverages AI-driven algorithms to defend against ransomware. 

It rigorously examines tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by ransomware extortionists in the past. These TTPs include but aren’t limited to:

Affiliate Programmes 

These are operations in which smaller groups collaborate to share tools and tech know-how to execute attacks and consequently the profits from these malicious operations. 

Backup Tampering

To ensure complete success of operations, the attackers often tamper with the backup system, which coerces the victims into paying the ransom, as they cannot successfully restore the backup system. 

Encryption Strategies

Once they infect the system, ransomware attackers usually encrypt the data within the system and demand a ransom in exchange for the decryption keys. Moreover, sophisticated attacks also involve data theft, so the attackers can demand a ransom for the stolen data and often threaten to publicly release data as further blackmail.

Fortunately, the cutting-edge AI models patented by IBM (e.g., US10583221B1) go beyond performing a thorough analysis of these TTPs. Their AI algorithms automate and optimize response efforts to generate rapid response actions. 

From prevention through recovery, these automated response mechanisms leverage AI to minimize the deleterious impacts of these attacks and expedite recovery.

Adopting the Right Protocols can Help Us Win the War Against Ransomware.

So, the role of patents in cyber security goes beyond simply protecting intellectual property; it represents a constantly evolving cycle of improvement gleaned by insights from real-world cyber incidents, assisted by AI and other technological advancements.

By using this multi-pronged approach to their advantage, cyber security practitioners can hone their defense mechanisms to be more effective against the progressing tactics of ransomware actors.

Cybersecurity practitioners can stay several steps ahead in the current battle against ransomware and other cyber threats by adopting a proactive approach to innovation.

– By The Editorial Team