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HIPAA Compliance 7 min read

Ransomware Protection via Rollback

AXIS CloudSync's version history is your most powerful defense against ransomware. If an attack encrypts your files, you can roll back every affected file to a clean state — without paying a ransom. This guide walks through the complete response procedure.

How Rollback Protects You

Ransomware works by encrypting your files and overwriting them with encrypted versions. In a traditional storage environment, this means your original files are gone. In AXIS CloudSync, every overwrite creates a new version — so the encrypted files are just the latest version, and your clean originals are preserved in the version history.

  • AXIS CloudSync stores every version of every file automatically.
  • Ransomware encryption creates new versions — it does not delete the originals.
  • Administrators can roll back all files in a folder or Team Share to a specific point in time.
  • Recovery can restore thousands of files in minutes — far faster than restoring from traditional backups.

Important

Rollback is only effective if the ransomware attack is detected before the version retention window expires. Ensure your version retention is set to at least 30 days to provide adequate protection.

Immediate Response Steps

Speed is critical. The moment you suspect a ransomware attack, take these steps immediately:

  1. 1Disconnect affected devices from the network immediately. Unplug the ethernet cable or disable Wi-Fi. This stops the ransomware from encrypting more files.
  2. 2Do not pay the ransom. AXIS CloudSync's rollback feature makes payment unnecessary in most cases.
  3. 3Contact your AXIS CloudSync administrator immediately. If you are the administrator, proceed to the next steps.
  4. 4Document the attack: Note the time you first noticed the attack, which devices are affected, and any ransom messages displayed.
  5. 5Contact AXIS CloudSync support at 1-866-232-2211 if you need assistance with the rollback process.

Identifying the Scope of the Attack

  1. 1Log in to the AXIS CloudSync web portal from an unaffected device.
  2. 2Navigate to Admin → Reports → Activity Log.
  3. 3Filter by the time range of the attack and by action type: Upload/Modify.
  4. 4Look for a sudden spike in file modification activity — this indicates when the ransomware began encrypting files.
  5. 5Note the exact timestamp when the attack started. You will roll back to just before this time.
  6. 6Identify which folders and Team Shares were affected.

Performing the Rollback

  1. 1In the web portal, navigate to the affected folder or Team Share.
  2. 2Right-click the folder and select Version History (or Rollback Folder if available).
  3. 3Select Roll Back to Point in Time.
  4. 4Enter the timestamp from just before the attack began (identified in the previous section).
  5. 5Review the list of files that will be restored. Confirm the selection.
  6. 6Click Restore. AXIS CloudSync will restore all files in the folder to their state at the specified time.
  7. 7Repeat for each affected folder or Team Share.

Note

For large-scale attacks affecting many folders, contact AXIS CloudSync support. Our team can assist with bulk rollback operations across your entire organization.

After Recovery

  • Verify the restored files are clean and accessible before reconnecting affected devices to the network.
  • Scan all affected devices with updated antivirus/anti-malware software before reconnecting them.
  • Change all passwords for accounts that were active on affected devices.
  • Review the Activity Log to determine how the ransomware gained access (e.g., compromised credentials, phishing email).
  • Document the incident for your HIPAA Breach Notification assessment. Ransomware attacks may require breach notification — consult your HIPAA compliance officer.
  • Update your security policies to prevent recurrence.

Important

Under HIPAA, ransomware attacks that affect ePHI may require breach notification to affected individuals and HHS. Consult your legal counsel and HIPAA compliance officer to determine your notification obligations.

Prevention Best Practices

  • Enable Two-Step Authentication for all users — compromised credentials are the most common ransomware entry point.
  • Train employees to recognize phishing emails, which are the most common ransomware delivery method.
  • Keep software updated — ransomware frequently exploits unpatched vulnerabilities.
  • Restrict admin privileges — limit who has local administrator rights on workstations.
  • Maintain version retention of at least 30 days in AXIS CloudSync.
  • Test your recovery procedure annually — don't wait for a real attack to discover gaps in your response plan.
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