USE CASE

Protect against
ransomware attacks

Ransomware attacks are one of the most disruptive cyber threats facing organizations today. Be more prepared with Mimecast.

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THE PROBLEM

More than half of breaches have an
element of ransomware

Sophisticated attack methods

Attackers continually refine their techniques, often using AI to craft new phishing emails, develop malicious attachments and probe for unpatched servers.

High costs and reputational damage

Beyond the ransom itself, organizations face recovery costs, legal liabilities, and reputational harm.

Severe business disruption

Ransomware incidents halt business operations, leaving organizations unable to access mission-critical data and services.

OUR SOLUTION

Ransomware protection built for the way people work

Ransomware can start with an email, an unpatched server or even a compromised account. With 80% of all breaches originating from 8% of employees, it's essential to mitigate human risk. Mimecast equips organizations with unparalleled visibility into human risk, enabling them to identify and mitigate threats more effectively and efficiently.

WHY MIMECAST

Centralized visibility and protection through user risk scores and integration

Advanced threat detection

Leverages AI and machine learning to identify ransomware payloads in emails, attachments, and links before they can execute.

Security solution integrations

Break through traditional silos with Identity, SIEM, SOAR, XDR and more integrations.

Zero in on high risk employees

Use training, simulation and live communication actions to identify the riskiest employees – and use proactive controls to restrict access to prevent lateral movement.

User awareness training

Interactive training modules simulate ransomware scenarios, helping employees recognize and avoid potential threat.

Our approach

What is ransomware protection?

Ransomware protection refers to a comprehensive set of tools, processes, and training programs that defend against ransomware attacks. As ransomware threats continue to grow in sophistication, protection must go beyond traditional antivirus software.

A strong ransomware defense includes endpoint protection, threat intelligence, email security, and user awareness training. These layers help detect and block malicious activity, reduce the attack surface, and improve your organization’s response capabilities. Without effective ransomware protection, businesses risk data loss, operational downtime, and reputational damage.

How do most ransomware infections happen?

Most ransomware infections begin with a phishing email, malicious link, or compromised credentials. Attackers often exploit unpatched systems, weak access controls, or human error to gain access and deploy malware. Once inside, they encrypt files and demand a ransom, often causing significant business disruption.

Early ransomware detection involves monitoring for suspicious activity like unusual file access, privilege escalation, or encrypted data patterns. Solutions like Mimecast combine AI-driven threat intelligence with email scanning and behavioral analysis to stop threats before they escalate. Training employees to recognize phishing attempts is also key to stopping ransomware at the source.

What are the benefits of ransomware protection for organizations?

Implementing strong ransomware protection delivers critical benefits that go beyond preventing attacks. It safeguards business continuity, reputation, and long-term resilience. Some key advantages include:

Reduced risk of data loss: With proactive data protection and secure backups, your organization is less likely to lose sensitive information in a ransomware attack.
Business continuity: Strong ransomware prevention ensures that your operations can continue even during attempted breaches by containing threats before they spread.
Faster detection and response: Real-time ransomware detection powered by threat intelligence and behavior analysis allows your security team to identify and neutralize threats early.
Lower recovery costs: By preventing ransomware infections, organizations avoid expensive downtime, ransom payments, legal liabilities, and costly ransomware removal efforts.
Improved user vigilance: With security awareness training and simulated phishing campaigns, employees are better equipped to recognize phishing emails and other suspicious activity.
Compliance and risk management: Advanced security software, including endpoint protection and access control, helps meet regulatory standards and protect against a wide range of cybersecurity threats.

Mimecast’s layered ransomware protection approach delivers all of these benefits through a single, integrated platform. It combines technical defenses with human-focused insights to secure every angle of your business.

What technologies are needed for building a strong ransomware defense?

An effective ransomware defense requires a layered approach that integrates:

Advanced email security to filter out phishing and malicious attachments
Endpoint protection to stop malware at the device level
SIEM, SOAR, or XDR tools to centralize incident detection and response
Access control mechanisms to limit user privileges and contain threats
Threat intelligence platforms for real-time risk identification
Data protection and backup systems for fast recovery if ransomware does strike

The Mimecast platform seamlessly integrates with existing security software, reducing gaps and enhancing your organization's ability to detect, prevent, and recover from ransomware incidents.

What should I do if my organization suspects a ransomware attack is in progress?

If you suspect a ransomware attack, act immediately to minimize damage.

Isolate affected systems from the network to prevent the malware from spreading.
Notify your security team and activate your incident response protocol.
Secure your backups and avoid deleting or modifying infected files.
Conduct a threat analysis to determine the entry point and affected assets.
Consider contacting authorities or cyber insurance providers, depending on your internal policy.

Mimecast offers a free 30-day lookback scan that helps uncover ransomware threats missed by other tools, giving organizations rapid insights without disrupting email flow. Fast ransomware removal and forensic visibility can significantly reduce recovery time and long-term impact.

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