[CDP-development] CISA and FBI Urge Organizations to Remain Vigilant to Ransomware and Cyber Threats This Holiday Season

[MASSE, THERESA]

FYSA



The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued<https://cisa.gov/news/2021/11/22/cisa-and-fbi-urge-organizations-remain-vigilant-ransomware-and-cyber-threats> a cybersecurity reminder that malicious cyber actors aren't making the same holiday plans as you. Recent history tells us that this could be a time when these persistent cyber actors halfway across the world are looking for ways-big and small-to disrupt the critical networks and systems belonging to organizations, businesses, and critical infrastructure.


CISA and the FBI strongly urge all entities-especially critical infrastructure partners-to examine their current cybersecurity posture and implement best practices and mitigations<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa21-243a> to manage the risk posed by cyber threats. Specifically, CISA and the FBI urge users and organizations to take the following actions to protect themselves from becoming the next victim:

  *   Identify IT security employees for weekends and holidays who would be available to surge during these times in the event of an incident or ransomware attack.
  *   Implement multi-factor authentication for remote access and administrative accounts.
  *   Mandate strong passwords and ensure they are not reused across multiple accounts.
  *   If you use remote desktop protocol (RDP) or any other potentially risky service, ensure it is secure and monitored.
  *   Remind employees not to click on suspicious links, and conduct exercises to raise awareness.
For a comprehensive overview, see the Joint Cybersecurity Advisory Ransomware Awareness for Holidays and Weekends<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa21-243a>. The advisory can be found here<https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa21-243a> and is also available on the whole-of-government ransomware website, www.stopransomware.gov<http://www.stopransomware.gov>.



Link to CISA/FBI press release: https://www.cisa.gov/news/2021/11/22/cisa-and-fbi-urge-organizations-remain-vigilant-ransomware-and-cyber-threats


Theresa A. Masse
Cyber Security Advisor, Region 10 (Oregon)
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Department of Homeland Security
Phone: (503) 930-5671
Email: theresa.masse at cisa.dhs.gov<mailto:theresa.masse at cisa.dhs.gov>

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