Malicious activity by the BianLian ransomware group is sending alarm bells ringing throughout the global cybersecurity community. Recent reporting from DarkReading shows BianLian cyberattacks have claimed at least 116 victims. As organizations scramble with how best to secure and protect their infrastructure from this emerging threat, IT leaders are painfully aware that this is not an isolated incident, with monetary damages from ransomware attacks growing steadily, and expected to exceed $265 billion annually by 2031 according to research by Fortinet. 

In light of all this, the FBI recently released a joint Cybersecurity Advisory highlighting the tactics, techniques, procedures, and indicators of compromise specifically associated with BianLian, a notorious ransomware developer, deployer, and data extortion group. Here, we’ll explore how understanding these concepts can empower enterprise teams to effectively combat not only the BianLian threat but the ongoing ransomware threat as a whole. 

Understanding the BianLian Ransomware Threat

BianLian has gained notoriety as a sophisticated ransomware group, leveraging advanced techniques to infiltrate and compromise the networks of targeted organizations. Their method has evolved to encryption-less extortion, stealing data, and posting the masked data on its leak site. This puts victims in reputation management mode and increases the likelihood of payouts. Prior to the creation of a tool from Avast (released in January) that decrypted BianLian’s code, only 16% of their victims had their masked data posted. Between January and March, that’s increased to 53%. (According to Cyware.com)

The Crucial Role of IT Training

While deploying robust security technologies and implementing strict protocols are essential, organizations must also recognize the pivotal role of their human resources in defending against ransomware attacks. IT training plays a crucial role in enhancing the skills and knowledge of enterprise teams, empowering them to detect, prevent, and respond effectively to the BianLian threat. IT training solutions, like INE, can help combat these threats in several ways:

• Secure Software Development: Training software developers on secure coding practices and secure software development lifecycles (SDLC) is crucial. BianLian often exploits vulnerabilities in applications and systems, making it imperative to embed security measures throughout the development process. By adhering to secure coding principles, developers can create resilient applications that are less susceptible to ransomware attacks.

• Incident Response and Recovery: Effective incident response is vital when dealing with ransomware attacks. IT training provides teams with the knowledge and skills necessary to contain, analyze, and recover from such incidents swiftly and efficiently. Training should cover incident response planning, network forensics, and data recovery strategies to minimize downtime and data loss.

• Raising Awareness: IT training programs provide employees with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving threat landscape, including the specific tactics employed by ransomware groups like BianLian. By being educated on the latest attack vectors and techniques, individuals across the organization become more vigilant and can identify potential threats, such as suspicious emails or malicious links.

• Evaluation and Assessment: Regular assessment of training programs is vital to keep them up-to-date and relevant. This can be achieved through various methods including surveys, assessments, or practical evaluations. Assessments allow team leaders to understand the scope of their team’s knowledge, identify areas or strengths or weaknesses, and make necessary adjustments. Additionally, conducting regular assessments or exams can help determine the knowledge and skill levels of employees after completing the training. Based on the assessment results, targeted interventions or additional training modules can be designed o address specific gaps. 

• Identify Specific Indicators and Anomalies: IT training should focus on educating professionals about the unique indicators and anomalies associated with the BianLian attacks using hands-on labs and training. This includes understanding the attack vectors, patterns, and techniques employed by the BianLian attackers. By familiarizing themselves with these specific indicators, security teams can proactively identify and respond to potential threats.

The threat landscape posed by ransomware groups like BianLian continues to evolve, making it imperative for organizations to invest in comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. While technological solutions are crucial, empowering enterprise teams through robust training modules plays a vital role in combating these threats.