Manufacturing Firm's Hard Lesson: From a Ransomware Attack to a Secure Future

From Ransomware Disaster to Cyber Resilience

A manufacturing company was in talks of signing with us when disaster struck — a devastating ransomware attack encrypted all their devices and servers. A critical security control, one we had advised clients to implement over a decade ago, had been overlooked by their current team. Neither their internal IT team nor their managed service provider (MSP) had identified this vulnerability. As a result, their operations were paralyzed for over a month.

To make matters worse, the backup system they relied on for protection had also been encrypted. With no other viable option, they were forced to pay a staggering $500,000 ransom.

A few weeks into the crisis, they brought us onboard to aid in the recovery effort. Our team quickly identified the source of the attack, locked down the environment and implemented immediate security measures that stabilized their IT environment and prevented further damage. We worked diligently to eliminate the hacker’s foothold, isolate compromised devices and restore operational integrity. This involved close collaboration with the client’s cyber insurance and legal teams, as well as leading the full recovery and restoration process.

Once they were back online, we implemented our layered security framework in alignment with NIST 800-171. This included:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
• Vulnerability scanning
• Security awareness training
• Advanced encryption methods
• Incident response (IR), disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity planning (BCP)

We also replaced their compromised backup system with a robust solution aligned with air-gapped requirements, reducing recovery time and ensuring data safety. We replaced outdated firewalls and eliminated unnecessary administrative rights.

The True Test of Cybersecurity Strength

Three years later, the company faced another cyber attack — but this time, the outcome was completely different. The breach attempt triggered an alert: an unauthorized login attempt was detected and automatically isolated. Our team immediately investigated the priority-one ticket, reviewed audit logs and confirmed the threat. The user had unknowingly provided their MFA token to bad actors, but thanks to our proactive security measures, the attack was stopped cold — no data was accessed, and no damage was done.

This transformation from a company forced to pay a ransom to one that proactively prevents breaches is a testament to the power of strong cybersecurity. Thanks to their leadership’s decision to switch IT providers, they have true peace of mind, knowing a robust and resilient security infrastructure protects their operations. The manufacturing company can now embrace a stable, predictable IT environment with ongoing support and strategic guidance.

Executives Turn to Thriveon When...

Thriveon stands as the leading IT partner across Minnesota, Florida and beyond, dedicated to helping mid-size companies achieve enterprise-level outcomes. Chief executives turn to Thriveon when they are facing strategic IT gaps, under mounting pressure to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses, committed to optimizing ROI on substantial IT investments or frustrated with stalled IT projects and underperforming teams.

Our comprehensive IT service combines Fractional CIO expertise, cybersecurity and proactive IT management into one cohesive solution. You'll receive:

• A Fractional CIO is embedded in your business, crafting strategies and budgets that drive scalable profitability and security.

• Proactive technology audits align with over 500 proprietary best practices, preempting issues and fortifying defenses to enhance productivity and reduce risk.
• Comprehensive oversight of your technology ecosystem - hardware, software, and services - so everything works seamlessly together, preventing overspending on unnecessary tools or personnel.
• By deeply understanding how you use your line-of-business applications, we identify opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance data quality and maximize your return on investment.
• Leadership in cybersecurity readiness, including preparing for third-party audits, conducting tabletop exercises, leading company-wide security meetings and developing IT policies, all while ensuring robust defense strategies.

Discover how Thriveon transforms IT into a strategic advantage, fostering growth and resilience for our clients.