A Defense Against Ransomware

A Defense Against Ransomware

A cloud document management system is a defense against ransomware.

Ransomware attacks have become prevalent in the last few years. According to a study by Cybersecurity Ventures, they predict the global cost of cybercrime will increase by nearly 15 percent in the next five years, amounting to $10.5 Trillion in damage by the year 2025. As a result, top security organizations are advising companies to take action and improve their defenses against cybercriminals.

With the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, minimizing the number of vulnerabilities can be difficult; however, there are still several ways to prevent damage from these attacks. One great way to mitigate the impact of an attack is to store and backup your digital files on a Cloud system. Luckily, ImageSite and Engine-Box are here to help protect you.

The Ugly Part of the Story

Unfortunately, stories of organizations subjected to ransomware attacks have plagued the headlines, as organized crime groups have conducted many of these attacks against several high-profile organizations. These organizations, however, only account for a small percent of companies hit by attacks. Many attacks, we never hear about, yet they have a substantial impact on the well-being of these organizations.

Not only are organizations on the hook for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars, but the impact to operations, customers, and potential loss of data can be egregious - not to mention the damage to people’s careers (IT, we are looking at you).

Experts recommend creating a robust cybersecurity architecture to combat these attacks, as keeping the bad guys out of your system is the recommended first line of defense. If they can’t get in, they can’t embed their ransomware software, wreaking havoc on your company’s files.

Creating a powerful cybersecurity architecture is easier said than done these days because, as humans, we are susceptible to innocuous phishing emails that, once clicked on, start the ferocious process of uploading the malware we call ransomware. A 2020 study, conducted by Terranova Security confirmed that nearly 25 percent of American workers clicked on phishing emails - most of them unaware of the ramifications.

 

The Good Part of the Story

Installing cybersecurity measures is essential to business continuity, and IT departments worldwide are trying very hard to strengthen their systems and data centers. A simple, yet powerful solution is keeping files on a Cloud platform, like Amazon Web Services (AWS), along with current backups. This configuration has two great features:

  1. It is difficult for the bad guys to access Cloud systems, especially those managed by big Cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google. These providers have installed some of the best technology for identifying and preventing unauthorized intrusion in their data centers, paired with operating software to minimize and mitigate the impact of any intrusion. If the ransomware software can’t get to your files, they have no teeth to demand a ransom.
  2. If the ransomware does get to your files, you can instantly shut down your systems and look to restoring your files and applications from your backups (which are typically maintained on totally different VPCs [Virtual Private Cloud], Amazon’s Cloud architecture). For even more conservative configurations, you can make backups in multiple data centers. Getting back up and going takes some time and energy, but nothing like negotiating over encryption keys that may or may not ultimately release your files from ransom.
Benefits of Cloud EDMS
6 Benefits of a Cloud Document Management System

Our engineering document management system is a defense against ransomware

eQuorum provides two solutions for organizations looking to maintain and backup files in the Cloud – ImageSite, a private Cloud option with a single organization per VPC; and Engine-Box.com, a Cloud SaaS option with multiple organizations per VPC. Engine-Box.com, as a multi-tenant SaaS offers pricing by subscription, reducing overall system costs and capital expenditure layouts.

Both options run on the AWS platform with its industry-leading security and intrusion protection. (For government contractors and vendors, eQuorum even provides an AWS govCloud option.) AWS, and other Cloud providers, are in the business of protecting their customer’s systems and data and spend considerable money on keeping their operations ahead of the cybercriminals.

eQuorum also backs up all customer files daily to a different VPC. (An option to backup to a different AWS Availability Zone [different datacenter] is available.) So even if your operating files get attacked and encrypted (the way ransomware keeps you from using your files), the organization can delete the encrypted files and restore the non-encrypted backups. (eQuorum, through AWS, scans all files for malware and viruses prior to making a backup.)

Given the flexibility and scalability of having your system and files on the Cloud, it is easy to see why more organizations are moving to Cloud options. The additional security for your intellectual property and defense against bad actors using cyber extortion, like ransomware, is a key benefit to justify moves to the Cloud.

 

Our EDMS solutions

ImageSite and EngineBox are eQuorum’s robust workflow and document management solutions, created to help workers manage their essential workflows while maintaining complete control over their engineering files and documents.  Not only do they provide a secure collaboration site for workers, but they also help organizations manage document distribution with third parties like vendors, contractors, and customers. Both systems are offered at a competitive price, enabling organizations to get a quick return on their investment by providing the features and functionality needed to help organizations improve efficiency, productivity, and collaboration.  Companies can choose from concurrent user subscriptions or named user subscriptions, ensuring organizations have subscription options that make sense for their business.

Learn more why our solution is trusted by industry leaders.

ImageSite

ImageSite®

Our single source engineering workflow and document management system. Built in HTML5 so there is no software to deploy to client computers or mobile apps to download. Offered as an On-premise or Private Cloud system.

Explore ImageSite® 

 

Our EDMS solutions

 

ImageSite and EngineBox are eQuorum’s robust workflow and document management solutions, created to help workers manage their essential workflows while maintaining complete control over their engineering files and documents.  Not only do they provide a secure collaboration site for workers, but they also help organizations manage document distribution with third parties like vendors, contractors, and customers. Both systems are offered at a competitive price, enabling organizations to get a quick return on their investment by providing the features and functionality needed to help organizations improve efficiency, productivity, and collaboration.  Companies can choose from concurrent user subscriptions or named user subscriptions, ensuring organizations have subscription options that make sense for their business.

Learn more why our solution is trusted by industry leaders.

Engine-Box

EngineBox™

EngineBox is a cloud based workflow and document management version of ImageSite that resides outside the corporate network.

Explore EngineBox™

The eQuorum Customer Promise

 

In 2005, eQuorum developed the first all browser-based EDMS. The system, although for on-premise use, was still created to remove client software and JAVA from user computers and allow users to have a single viewer based on the simple navigation functionality of browsers. Today, eQuorum provides that same application in a private Cloud or a SaaS Cloud option.  We can do this because we are, and have always been, browser-based, understanding the enhanced speed, security, and usability of this technology.

With the abundance of document management systems on the market today, there’s no doubt that choosing the right Cloud document management software can be a difficult decision. eQuorum is here to provide a comprehensive, powerful, and most importantly – affordable Cloud document management solution. We believe in providing real value to our customers by eliminating unnecessary costs, providing industry-leading functionality, and equipping your team with the right tools using cutting edge technology to bring your products to market faster.

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eQuorum®

We specialize in engineering workflow and document management. Our comprehensive, yet easy-to-use software provides the solution to manage data from design to manufacturing and production, to sales, support and administration.

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