Cloud ransomware attacks are on the rise as businesses increasingly adopt cloud technologies. To protect your organization:
- Implement robust backup and recovery plans
- Use multi-factor authentication and strict access controls
- Deploy continuous monitoring and AI-powered threat detection
- Keep all software updated and patched
- Conduct regular employee training on cybersecurity
- Encrypt sensitive data and use secure cloud storage
- Have a clear incident response plan ready
Tools like SentinelOne’s CWPP can help detect and respond to attacks quickly. Stay vigilant and prioritize cloud security to protect your business from evolving ransomware threats.
The BlackBerry Global Threat Intelligence Report (September 2024 edition) reveals that cloud ransomware is used by both cybercriminals and organized syndicates to target companies across all industries around the world.
A recent example is a March 2024 ransomware attack on Belgium’s Duvel Moortgat Brewery by the Stornomous ransomware group, wherein 88 gigabytes of data were stolen, causing production to come to a standstill.
Groups like these quickly adopt new approaches and tactics to evade traditional cloud ransomware protection mechanisms and seek out any new security vulnerabilities. Actors deploying ransomware in the cloud are mostly financially motivated as they demand ransom in exchange for the stolen data.
Cloud ransomware attacks are steadily climbing as about 40% of organizations in the 2024 Annual SaaS Security Survey admitted that they’ve dealt with a SaaS ransomware incident in the past two years. It’s happening more often than you’d think.
Not surprisingly, the same survey found that 71% of organizations increased their investment in cloud ransomware protection, whereas 68% of organizations have increased investment in hiring and training staff in cloud ransomware protection tools and strategies.
Therefore, this article will tackle the unique challenges of cloud ransomware protection. You will get hands-on tactics to fortify your cloud setup—be it running a hybrid system or fully embracing cloud computing.
Cloud ransomware attacks are steadily climbing as about 40% of organizations in the 2024 Annual SaaS Security Survey admitted that they’ve dealt with a SaaS ransomware incident in the past two years. It’s happening more often than you’d think.
Not surprisingly, the same survey found that 71% of organizations increased their investment in cloud ransomware protection, whereas 68% of organizations have increased investment in hiring and training staff in cloud ransomware protection tools and strategies.
Therefore, this article will tackle the unique challenges of cloud ransomware protection. You will get hands-on tactics to fortify your cloud setup—be it running a hybrid system or fully embracing cloud computing.
What is Cloud Ransomware?
Cloud ransomware is malicious software that goes after your cloud assets, like SaaS apps, cloud storage, or infrastructure. It locks up your data or systems, demanding payment to restore access or decrypt your files.
Cloud Ransomware Attack Vectors
A recent example of a security vulnerability involving Microsoft Power Apps occurred in March 2023, when researchers discovered a critical vulnerability in the Power Platform’s Custom Code feature.
This vulnerability posed a risk of information disclosure. Fortunately, Microsoft acted swiftly and released a quick initial fix on June 7, 2023, to mitigate the issue for most customers.
This incident highlights how cloud ransomware operators exploit various entry points—known as attack vectors—to infiltrate and compromise cloud environments. These attack vectors can be categorized as the following:
Potential Vulnerabilities
- Flaws in cloud service provider APIs (e.g., authentication bypass, excessive permissions, injection vulnerabilities)
- Weaknesses in shared responsibility security models
- Vulnerabilities in container orchestration platforms (e.g., Kubernetes)
Common Misconfigurations
- Overly permissive access controls on cloud storage buckets
- Improperly configured virtual network segmentation
- Inadequate encryption settings for data at rest and in transit
Weak Security Practices
- Poor management of access keys and secrets
- Inconsistent patching across cloud resources
- Lack of identity and access management policies
Why Cloud Ransomware Protection is Critical in 2024
Ransomware is a modern plague, and it’s spreading fast. In 2023 alone, the FBI reported having received over 2,800 complaints with losses hitting $59.6 million. But that’s just the start—ransomware’s true cost can devastate your data, disrupt operations, and ruin your reputation.
Some examples of recent cloud-based ransomware attacks include:
- Evolving attack sophistication: The CL0p ransomware group exploited an SQL injection zero-day vulnerability in the MOVEit Transfer cloud software in May 2023, affecting numerous organizations and exposing sensitive data stored in the cloud.
- Data criticality: Cloud-based file transfer service GoAnywhere MFT suffered a zero-day attack in May 2023. The Cl0p ransomware group exploited this vulnerability, accessing and exfiltrating sensitive data from over 130 organizations using the service.
- Regulatory pressures: On April 13, 2024, Young Consulting was a victim of a ransomware assault from Black suit. The outcome of this attack exposed the personal data of about 1 million people. This breach didn’t just lead to data loss—it triggered compliance issues with GDPR and HIPAA.
- Reputational damage: The 2022 ransomware attack on cloud-based password manager LastPass resulted in the theft of customer vault data, severely damaging the company’s reputation and trust among its user base.
- Business continuity: In December 2021, cloud-based human resources management provider Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG) faced a ransomware attack that disrupted its private cloud services, affecting payroll and workforce management for businesses like MGM Resorts, Samsung, PepsiCo, Whole Foods, Gap, and Tesla.
Best Practices for Preventing Cloud Ransomware
Cybersecurity Ventures calls ransomware the “most immediate threat” today. To safeguard against it, here are essential practices:
#1. Implementing Robust Backup and Recovery Plans
Due to inadequate backup or recovery plans, organizations can face prolonged downtime and significant financial losses.
The January 2023 Royal Mail ransomware incident, pulled off by the LockBit gang, serves as a prime reminder of the risks out there. Regularly put your recovery plans through the wringer, always stress-test them, and don’t just trust them.
Automating backups can also reduce the chance of slipping up, making sure your files stay locked down in every sense whether in transit or at rest.
#2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Access Controls
Set up a MFA pass. This can be quite the hurdle for unauthorized actors to scale over. MFA is so underrated yet crucial as reports from Microsoft indicate that 99.9% of breached accounts had no MFA, which could have prevented over 99.2% of attacks.
Alongside MFA, you can try tightening access through least-privilege policies ensuring users only get what they need and nothing more.
IT professionals can layer in adaptive authentication methods that shift based on location, device, or other contextual factors. Regularly audit these permissions, and for sensitive actions, you can lean on Just-In-Time (JIT) access to reduce unnecessary exposure risks
#3. Continuous Monitoring and Threat Detection
IBM reports the average time to identify a breach in 2023 was 204 days—far too long to take a proactive approach. You need to implement advanced threat detection systems that use behavioral analysis to spot anomalies quickly.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems employ user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) for nuanced threat detection. Consider establishing a 24/7 security operations center (SOC) or partnering with a managed security provider like McAfee, IBM Security, or Microsoft Azure Security Center to ensure round-the-clock vigilance.
#4. Regular Software Updates and Patching
A critical vulnerability – the Microsoft Exchange vulnerability (CVE-2023-21709) – emerged in August 2023, and it allowed attackers to escalate privileges without user interaction. Microsoft released a more comprehensive fix (CVE-2023-36434) in October, eliminating the need for manual configuration changes.
Automating your patch management with tools like Microsoft Intune, Google Workspaces, Amazon Workspaces, or WSUS ensures you’re on top of these critical fixes.
Monitor your cloud assets by routinely checking for outdated software and misconfigurations and maintain a thorough inventory of all your cloud resources to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
#5. Employee Training and Awareness Programs
Your security is only as strong as your weakest link oftentimes it’s human error.
Consistent, focused training on phishing and social engineering is critical to maintaining a vigilant team.
Department heads should organize simulated phishing attacks to test how employees respond under pressure, ensuring they’re prepared for real-world threats.
Try to discourage shifting blame and encourage prompt reporting of any suspicious activity is encouraged and welcomed.
The quicker your team feels comfortable sounding the alarm, the faster potential threats can be neutralized.
#6. Data Encryption and Secure Cloud Storage
The US Department of Transportation’s 2023 breach, which compromised the personal data of 237K employees, underlined the critical importance of encryption.
Don’t leave your data hanging out in the open—encrypt it. Secure your keys, rotate them often, and pick cloud storage with solid, built-in encryption. For your most sensitive info, go the extra mile with client-side encryption so you’re the only one holding the keys.
#7. Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Recent research has shown that artificial intelligence is a powerful tool to improve accuracy and strengthen one’s security posture against various security threats and cyberattacks.
AI can help you comb through large amounts of data and identify behavioral patterns as they occur. Machine learning enhances threat detection over time and automates routine tasks. However, it should complement, not replace, human expertise in a solid security strategy.
How to Respond to a Cloud Ransomware Attack
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends that companies follow the checklist provided in the #StopRansomware Guide. We’re sharing a condensed version of the checklist that will take you through the response process starting from detection through containment and eradication.
Here are the steps:
1. Identify the Attack
- Detect the incident: Monitor your systems for unusual activity, such as encrypted files or unauthorized access attempts.
- Isolate infected systems: Disconnect affected devices to stop the ransomware from spreading further. If it is not possible to temporarily shut down the network or disconnect the affected hosts, you can consider powering down the devices. Focus first on isolating hosts that are critical to daily operations to minimize further disruption.
- Gather evidence: Collect logs, screenshots, and any relevant data that will assist in the investigation. For cloud environments, take snapshots of volumes to capture a point-in-time view, providing a clear reference for later analysis during the investigation phase.
2. Assess the Damage
- Determine the scope of the attack: Before you can gain control, you have to get a clear picture of the attack’s impact. Do a deep-dive analysis to pinpoint your affected systems, and compromised data, and ensure that the attack vector is now inactive. When coordinating with your team, use secure communication channels like phone calls to avoid tipping off the attackers, who might escalate the attack or trigger ransomware if they realize they’ve been caught.
- Evaluate the impact on business: Assess the potential financial and reputational consequences of the attack. Direct losses can be measured in monetary terms, such as system downtime costs, data breach costs, recovery costs, compensation, legal fees, and fines or penalties. Indirect losses such as reputational damage, loss of competitive advantage, decreased employee morale, and increased customer churn can be measured by different methods, such as surveys, industry benchmarking, analysis of historical data, and running simulations.
3. Contain the Attack
- Implement containment measures: Leverage network segmentation to isolate compromised systems and deploy EDR tools like SentinelOne Singularity, along with cloud-native security solutions, to lock down affected areas.
- Patch vulnerabilities: Ensure all systems are up-to-date with the latest security updates. Unfortunately, patches are not automatically applied to software. IT professionals apply the latest patches released by software vendors via a patch management strategy. Since ransomware attackers search for systems without the latest security patches using automated scanning software, vulnerabilities should be regularly fixed.
4. Recover Data
- Use backups: Restore data from clean backups that are not affected by ransomware. Consider enhancing backup security by combining immutable backups with advanced security techniques like air gapping. Thus, even if ransomware tries to encrypt backups, a clean version stays accessible.
- Consider alternative recovery methods: If backups are unavailable or compromised, explore options like data recovery services or negotiation with the attackers. In August 2024, the ARRL confirmed that it paid a ransom of $1 million to the Embargo ransomware group after a May attack encrypted its systems.
5. Notify Stakeholders
- Inform relevant parties: Alert senior management, IT, cyber insurance, and security service providers on what your incident response plan is.
- Communicate transparently: Control damage and make sure you communicate your stance to your customers about the breach and actions being taken. Also reach out to law and order agencies like the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, CISA, or your local FBI office for assistance.
6. Investigate and Learn
- Thorough investigation: Analyzing your system logs to identify the ransomware type and locate encrypted files. Then, check application logs to see which apps were active during the attack.
Go on to review security logs to trace the attacker’s IP address and uncover how they gained unauthorized access. Finally, network logs can help detect abnormal traffic patterns and pinpoint where the attack may have started or spread.
- Preventive measures: Strengthen your defenses by routinely deploying robust security controls like firewalls, IDPS, EDR, antivirus/antimalware, patch management, MFA, and automated backups. Regular penetration testing plays a crucial role in proactively identifying vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them, allowing you to stay ahead of potential threats.
7. Report the Incident
- Comply with regulations: If you are required by the law, immediately file a report to the authorities. In the US, the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 mandates reporting substantial cyber incidents that could threaten national security, foreign relations, or public confidence, among other critical factors. Failing to report may result in legal and financial consequences.
- Learn from experience: Share what you’ve learned with key stakeholders, including business partners, insurance providers, and law enforcement. This exchange of knowledge helps others strengthen their defenses and reduces the likelihood of similar attacks occurring across the industry.
Detect and Remediate Cloud Ransomware Incidents With SentinelOne CWPP
Swift detection, containment, and recovery are important steps in cloud ransomware protection. While we’ve discussed various strategies, managing them all can be challenging.
Integrated solutions like SentinelOne’s Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP) can streamline this process. Let us explore how CWPP addresses these critical aspects:
- Real-time threat detection: SentinelOne’s AI-powered engine continuously monitors cloud workloads for suspicious activity, detecting ransomware attacks early in the attack lifecycle.
- Automated prevention: The platform can automatically block ransomware attacks before they cause significant damage, minimizing the impact of incidents.
- Rapid response: SentinelOne enables security teams to respond quickly to ransomware incidents by providing detailed insights into the attack’s origin, scope, and impact.
- Continuous monitoring: The platform constantly monitors cloud environments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities that ransomware attackers could exploit. It can defend against ransomware, zero days, and fileless attacks in real time.
- Integration with cloud platforms: SentinelOne’s real-time CWPP integrates with leading cloud platforms, providing comprehensive protection across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
- Forensic visibility of workload telemetry: Informs investigation and incident response with a data log of OS process-level activity. CWPP deploys millions of agents that are trusted worldwide by leading brands, hyper-scalers, and hybrid cloud organizations.
- eBPF architecture and threat intelligence: Behavioral AI Engine adds the dimension of time in assessing malicious intent. SentinelOne’s Static AI Engine is trained on over half a billion malware samples and inspects file structures for malicious characteristics. The Application Control Engine defeats rogue processes not associated with the workload image.
- Enriched runtime detection with build time context: Automated Storyline™ attack visualization and mapping to MITRE ATT&CK TTP. Also includes IaC for DevOps provisioning, Snyk integration, and supports 15 Linux distros, 20 years of Windows servers, and 3 container runtimes.
Conclusion
Cloud computing has transformed business, but it also introduces new ransomware risks. As threats evolve, defenses must adapt. Strong backups, strict access controls, and AI-driven threat detection are essential, but security must be dynamic and layered to stay ahead.
Tech alone isn’t enough. Building a culture of cybersecurity is essential. Regular employee training, simulated attacks, and open communication about threats should be routine. While preventing ransomware is ideal, being prepared with a tested response plan is what will protect you when an attack happens.
Make sure your team has a clear response plan, knows who to contact, and understands how to recover quickly.
Tools like SentinelOne’s CWPP can fortify your defenses, but the ultimate responsibility lies with you and your team. The fight against cloud ransomware is ongoing, so stay informed, stay ready, and never let your guard down. Your business depends on it.
Connect with SentinelOne to receive assistance today. To know more, request a free live demo.
FAQs
1. What are the most common types of ransomware targeting cloud environments?
The most common types of ransomware targeting cloud environments are:
- Cryptolocker: Encrypts files and demands payment for decryption keys.
- Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): Allows attackers to use pre-built ransomware tools.
- Locker ransomware: Restricts access to systems until a ransom is paid.
- Data wiper ransomware: Permanently deletes data instead of encrypting it.
2. How often should cloud backups be performed?
Backup frequency depends on data sensitivity and business needs. Critical data must be backed up daily, even hourly. For less important info, weekly or monthly backups might do the job. In all, just make sure you tailor the frequency to your risk tolerance.
3. What are the signs of a ransomware attack on the cloud?
Signs of a ransomware attack on the cloud include:
- Spike in network traffic
- Strange files or processes
- Sudden system shutdowns
- Ransom messages
- Loss of access to files or apps
4. Can ransomware encrypt data stored in the cloud?
Yes, ransomware can hit cloud data. Once attackers breach the cloud, they can encrypt files and lock you out until a ransom is paid.