Ransomware is an ongoing problem despite constant warnings by security experts. Rather than taking precautions to prevent it, organizations tend to wait until they are targeted to finally do something. That is a mistake. A proactive approach is a much better option, an option that can include a threat intelligence platform.
DarkOwl, a leading provider of darknet intelligence solutions, is just one company that provides clients with a cutting edge threat intelligence platform designed to identify and mitigate threats emerging from the dark web. They say that a good platform can be an amazingly effective tool for combating ransomware.
Ransomware Basics
Ransomware is a form of malware designed explicitly to lock down computer systems by encrypting data. Once a system is fully encrypted, the perpetrator can hold it for ransom. That’s exactly what happens. Organizations can pay out millions to get their data back from perpetrators.
How serious a problem is ransomware? Check out these statistics from National University:
- 72% of all cybersecurity attacks in 2023 were ransomware.
- 83% of the targets paid the ransom to get their data back.
- More than 50% paid ransoms in access of $100,000.
- The average ransom in 2023 was $1.54 million.
More than 72% of businesses worldwide have been impacted by ransomware in some way, shape, or form. The question for many is why the crime is so prolific. Unfortunately, the answer is simple: ransomware is perpetrated because it is easy to pull off. A threat actor merely needs to gain access through stolen credentials to lock down a system.
The Threat Intelligence Platform
A threat intelligence platform is a software solution built primarily to gather and analyze data from across the public internet and the dark web. It provides both data and insights that help organizations improve their cybersecurity postures. It is a lot like military intelligence. With the right intelligence, decision makers can prepare both defensive and offensive actions.
Specifically in the realm of ransomware, threat intelligence platforms play a vital role:
1. Real-Time Threat Detection
A key component of threat intelligence is real-time detection and monitoring. By continually monitoring the dark web and adjacent spaces, platforms can identify information suggesting a ransomware attack is pending. A platform would look at things like suspicious network traffic, endpoint behavior, and network anomalies.
2. TTP Identification
A good threat intelligence platform is capable of identifying what are known as common tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) associated with ransomware activities. By analyzing the TTPs ransomware groups utilize, security experts can better understand attacks and prepare for them.
3. Analytics, AI, And Machine Learning
Perhaps the biggest advantage of a threat intelligence platform is its ability to leverage advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning in the fight against ransomware.
Advanced analytics are the starting point for thread intelligence. Data is harvested, analyzed, and turned into actionable results. The data can also be fed into AI and machine learning algorithms for predictive analysis. Accurate predictions go a long way toward thwarting ransomware attacks.
An Important Strategy
A threat intelligence platform is more than just a software tool. It is also the foundation of a mindset, a mindset that is an important strategy in the fight against ransomware. That mindset is rooted in being proactive.
Instead of waiting until an organization is targeted to finally do something about ransomware, threat intelligence seeks to identify potential attacks before they are launched. In a sense, it is like taking the fight to the enemy instead of waiting for the enemy to arrive. A threat intelligence platform is the key to making it happen.
