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Version: 1.0.0

Ransomware Simulation

Test your organization's ransomware defenses and recovery capabilities with safe, controlled simulations that validate your protection and response procedures.

Ransomware Simulation Features​

Detection Testing​

Validate detection capabilities:

  • Endpoint detection
  • Network monitoring
  • Behavioral analysis
  • File system monitoring

Recovery Testing​

Test backup and recovery:

  • Backup integrity
  • Recovery procedures
  • Recovery time
  • Data completeness

Response Testing​

Evaluate incident response:

  • Alert generation
  • Team notification
  • Response procedures
  • Communication plans

Simulation Types​

Encryption Behavior​

Test file encryption detection:

  • Simulated encryption patterns
  • Mass file modifications
  • Extension changes
  • No actual encryption performed

Lateral Movement​

Test network protections:

  • Simulated spreading behavior
  • Network segmentation testing
  • Access control validation
  • Detection of movement

Exfiltration​

Test data loss prevention:

  • Simulated data collection
  • Transfer attempts
  • DLP validation
  • Detection capabilities

Recovery Drill​

Test backup systems:

  • Initiate recovery procedures
  • Measure recovery time
  • Validate data integrity
  • Document gaps

Running Ransomware Simulations​

Pre-Simulation Checklist​

  • Notify stakeholders
  • Define scope
  • Confirm backups exist
  • Set up monitoring
  • Prepare kill switch

Configuration​

  1. Navigate to Attack Simulation → Ransomware
  2. Click New Simulation
  3. Configure:
    • Simulation type
    • Target systems
    • Scope limitations
    • Duration
  4. Get approvals
  5. Execute simulation

Scope Definition​

Define boundaries:

  • Target systems
  • Excluded systems
  • Network segments
  • Time window

Safety Controls​

Built-in protections:

  • No actual encryption
  • Safe file markers
  • Automatic rollback
  • Emergency stop

Detection Validation​

What's Tested​

  • Endpoint protection alerts
  • Network detection
  • SIEM correlation
  • User reporting

Expected Outcomes​

  • Time to detection
  • Alert generation
  • Automatic response
  • Human notification

Metrics Captured​

  • Detection time (MTTD)
  • Response time (MTTR)
  • Alert accuracy
  • Coverage gaps

Recovery Validation​

Backup Testing​

Verify backups:

  • Backup existence
  • Backup currency
  • Backup integrity
  • Restoration capability

Recovery Procedures​

Test recovery:

  • Step-by-step execution
  • Time to recover (RTO)
  • Data recovered (RPO)
  • Procedure accuracy

Documentation Review​

Validate runbooks:

  • Procedure completeness
  • Contact information
  • Escalation paths
  • Tool availability

Response Validation​

Incident Response​

Evaluate IR process:

  • Alert triage
  • Initial response
  • Containment actions
  • Communication

Team Performance​

Assess team readiness:

  • Response speed
  • Decision making
  • Coordination
  • Documentation

Communication​

Test communications:

  • Internal notification
  • External communication
  • Customer notification
  • Regulatory reporting

Results Analysis​

Simulation Report​

Comprehensive findings:

  • Timeline of events
  • Detection metrics
  • Response actions
  • Recovery results

Gap Analysis​

Identified weaknesses:

  • Detection gaps
  • Response delays
  • Recovery issues
  • Documentation needs

Recommendations​

Improvement actions:

  • Prioritized fixes
  • Quick wins
  • Long-term improvements
  • Training needs

Remediation​

From Findings to Fixes​

  1. Prioritize gaps
  2. Create action items
  3. Assign owners
  4. Track progress
  5. Verify improvements

Re-Testing​

Validate fixes:

  • Focused simulations
  • Specific scenario testing
  • Metrics comparison
  • Continuous improvement

Best Practices​

  1. Test regularly - Quarterly at minimum
  2. Vary scenarios - Different attack types
  3. Include recovery - Test backups too
  4. Involve teams - Full IR team participation
  5. Document learnings - Capture improvements
  6. Fix what's found - Act on discoveries

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