Recent Posts

When Ransomware Strikes: How Sophos MDR Stops it in Real Time

Sophos MDR and Ransomware

Ransomware is ruthless. It doesn’t creep in quietly; it breaks in, encrypts your data, and demands money to return it. Most companies only notice when staff can’t open files or systems suddenly go offline. By then, the damage is done.

Ransomware attacks begin silently and escalate quickly. Mere minutes can make an existential difference. 

What if a round-the-clock security team could detect the threat the moment it began, investigate it in minutes, and shut it down before it spread? That’s exactly what Sophos Managed Detection and Response (MDR) delivers — working hand in hand with entrustIT as your MSP.

Let’s simulate a real ransomware attack and show exactly how Sophos MDR and entrustIT respond, minute by minute.

Sophos MDR can stop a Ransomware attack in minutes

0:00 – The Attack Begins

An employee clicks a phishing email that looks genuine — maybe a fake invoice or supplier document. A malicious file runs silently in the background, encrypting local files and probing for network access.

At this point, no one inside the business knows anything is wrong.

But Sophos MDR sees everything.

0:01 – Detection

Sophos security sensors on the device notice unusual behaviour:

  • Rapid file encryption

  • Unauthorised processes executing

  • Unexpected connections to suspicious servers

This information is sent instantly to the Sophos MDR operations centre.

0:02 – Automated Triage

Sophos’ AI systems analyse the data automatically. They see this is high risk behaviour and escalate it to a human threat hunter in seconds.

0:03 – Human Investigation

A Sophos MDR analyst reviews the incident:

  • Where it started

  • How far it has spread

  • Which systems are affected

They confirm this is a real ransomware attack — not a false alarm.

0:04 – Sophos MDR Alerts the MSP

Here’s the crucial link:

  • Sophos MDR handles the threat detection, isolation, and initial containment.

  • entrustIT receives real-time alerts, updates, and recommendations from Sophos MDR so they can handle IT actions on your side, like backups, patches, and user communications.

This way, security experts fight the attack while your MSP prepares the environment for safe recovery.

0:05 – Containment

Sophos MDR isolates the infected systems remotely, cutting them off from the network to stop the ransomware spreading further.

0:10 – Remediation

While Sophos MDR removes the malware and closes the attacker’s backdoors, entrustIT coordinates recovery tasks:

  • Checking backups

  • Resetting passwords

  • Applying patches

  • Confirming no other systems are compromised

It’s a joint effort: Sophos neutralises the threat; entrustIT restores normal operations.

0:30+ – Recovery & Reporting

You and your MSP receive a full incident report from Sophos MDR:

  • What happened

  • How it was detected

  • Actions taken

  • Recommendations for future prevention

Your MSP discusses next steps with you and implements any long-term improvements.

The Bottom Line

Without Sophos MDR, this ransomware could have crippled your business in under an hour. With MDR and your MSP working together, the attack is detected, contained, and resolved before it causes major damage.

Sophos MDR brings 24/7 threat detection and response. entrustIT provides on-the-ground IT recovery and prevention. Together, they turn a potential disaster into a controlled incident.

MDR isn't a silver bullet. Top quality security requires a holistic approach of email protection, user training, and backup & DR. That being said, MDR represents a significant upgrade in cyber security posture at a manageable cost for most midsize businesses.

Subscribe here!

Recent Posts

Posts by tag

See all