How to Mitigate Credit Union Risk

Here are some tips you can follow to mitigate ransomware risk and limit the fallout of a ransomware attack:

Maintain regular backups of important files.
Be cognizant and filter potentially malicious web sites and emails.
Ransomware is often delivered through the exact same channels as other types of malware. Sometimes it's even bundled and downloaded together with other types of malware. Avoid common malware delivery tactics such as:
- Downloading pirated software/paid software offered for "free."
- Downloading software from any non-trusted sources or websites.
- Downloading key-gen/password cracking/license check removal software.
- Opening email attachments from unknown /unexpected senders.

Educate all employees on these best practices.
Review cyber insurance plans. Make sure they are in line with the level of risk you want from ransomware, and help to innovate the industry by requesting a "ransomware clause" for cyber extortion that would eliminate the inability to publicly disclose and adjust the unrealistic high deductible to be more in line with current ransom demands.
Whether you pay or not, keep in mind that attackers will always try and extract useful data off a compromised machine. Assume all sensitive data on the machine was compromised. This potentially includes: Usernames and passwords for internal or web resources, payment information and email addresses of contacts.
Consider deployment of advanced anti-ransomware technology to prevent the execution of ransomware, either as a standalone tool or incorporated into the organizational anti-malware platform.

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