Ransomware Recovery: 5 Steps to Recover Data

Dec 31, 2023

Kurt Baker - January 23, 2023

A ransomware attack is a criminal intrusion of a computer system to encrypt data and demand a “ransom,” or payment, from the victim. Criminals use ransomware, a type of malware, to both lock the data and deliver the terms for access. Failure to pay the ransom often results in criminals leaking the data or permanently blocking access to the files; however, paying does not guarantee release.

What is a ransomware recovery plan?

A ransomware recovery plan is a playbook to address a ransomware attack, which includes an incident response team, communication plan, and step-by-step instructions to recover your data and address the threat. Time is of the essence during an attack and a fast response is critical to both recover your files and avoid crippling losses, both monetary and proprietary.

What are the consequences of not having a ransomware recovery plan?

When it comes to ransomware, failing to plan is planning to fail. The longer you take to respond to an attack, the more likely it is you will lose your data, business and credibility. IBM research from 2022 found:

The best way to recover from a ransomware attack is to prevent it before it happens. However, in the event you’ve been breached, you need to take immediate action to recover. Your approach and effectiveness will depend on the type of ransomware, variant and the unique context of the attack. So, what are the steps to recover data after a ransomware attack?

An effective response is predicated on having a plan. Without one, you’ll be directionless and slow to recover. Your plan should outline both immediate recovery steps and long-term preemptive actions to prevent further attacks. At a minimum, it should include:

At CrowdStrike, we’re confident in our ability to respond to a ransomware attack. A traditional IR approach operates on a timeline of weeks and months. We operate in hours and days.

Once you’ve identified an incident, it’s time to execute your IR plan:

Without a data backup, companies are often at a complete loss when a ransomware attack occurs. This frequently leads to paying the ransom (which doesn’t guarantee file recovery). Backups are normally the quickest and most reliable way to recover. Effective methods and strategies include:

Regardless of your method, it’s essential that you test your backups. This should be a natural part of your IR plan and security preparation. If you’ve never checked their effectiveness, you can’t be confident they’ve properly stored your data.

As mentioned, data recovery is best conducted via backup. However, there are other ways to restore your encrypted data:

While recovery is possible, preparation and prevention are key. Strengthening your security is the best way to avoid the devastating impacts of a ransomware breach. Some primary actions we recommend are:

Facing a ransomware attack is an overwhelming prospect with no easy answers. The risks can be severe. When you’re facing the worst, you want a relentless partner that works in hours and minutes, not weeks and months. CrowdStrike helps organizations of all sizes prevent and recover against ransomware attacks.

Learn more about our CrowdStrike solutions and how they can help your organization prevent and protect from ransomware attacks. Prevent Ransomware Attacks with CrowdStrike's Solutions

Kurt Baker is the senior director of product marketing for Falcon Intelligence at CrowdStrike. He has over 25 years of experience in senior leadership positions, specializing in emerging software companies. He has expertise in cyber threat intelligence, security analytics, security management and advanced threat protection. Prior to joining CrowdStrike, Baker worked in technical roles at Tripwire and had co-founded startups in markets ranging from enterprise security solutions to mobile devices. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington and is now based in Boston, Massachusetts.