Certified Ransomware Negotiator
Target Students
Cybersecurity professionals, incident responders, legal advisors, and crisis managers responsible for handling ransomware attacks, negotiating with threat actors, and ensuring the protection and recovery of organizational assets.
Duration : 40 hours (5 days)
Learning Objectives
Master the skills required to negotiate with ransomware attackers effectively.
Understand the legal, ethical, and procedural aspects of ransomware negotiations.
Learn to assess the severity of ransomware attacks and develop appropriate response strategies.
Develop skills in managing communications with threat actors and stakeholders.
Prepare for handling real-world ransomware incidents and ensuring business continuity.
Exam Codes : CRN-903
Exam Duration : 2 hours
Exam Formats : 100 multiple-choice questions
Exam Options : Online , In-Person
Passing Score : 70%
Course Outline
Foundations of Ransomware Negotiation
Module 1 : Introduction to Ransomware
Understanding Ransomware
Overview of Ransomware: History, Evolution, and Types
Anatomy of a Ransomware Attack: Infection Vectors, Encryption, and Extortion
The Current Ransomware Landscape: Key Players, Motivations, and Trends
Ransomware Economics
The Economics of Ransomware: Cryptocurrency, Ransom Payments, and Marketplaces
Understanding the Financial Impact of Ransomware on Organizations
Case Study: High-Profile Ransomware Attacks and Their Consequences
Module 2 : Legal and Ethical Considerations
Legal Aspects of Ransomware Negotiation
Overview of Global Legal Frameworks: Data Protection Laws, Cybercrime Legislation
Legal Risks in Ransomware Negotiations: Liability, Compliance, and Reporting Requirements
Case Study: Legal Implications of Paying Ransoms
Ethical Considerations
Ethical Dilemmas in Ransomware Negotiations: To Pay or Not to Pay?
Balancing Business Continuity with Ethical Responsibilities
Case Study: Ethical Decision-Making in Ransomware Scenarios
Negotiation Strategies and Techniques
Module 3 : Crisis Management and Communication
Developing a Ransomware Response Plan
Key Components of a Ransomware Response Plan: Preparation, Detection, Containment, Eradication, Recovery
Incident Response Team Roles and Responsibilities
Best Practices for Effective Crisis Management
Communication Strategies
Managing Communications with Threat Actors: Establishing Contact, Negotiation Channels
Communicating with Internal Stakeholders: Board Members, Legal Counsel, IT Teams
Case Study: Managing Communications During a Ransomware Attack
Module 4 : Negotiation Tactics
Principles of Negotiation
Understanding the Psychology of Negotiation: Motivations, Leverage, and Power Dynamics
Key Negotiation Tactics: Building Rapport, Anchoring, Concessions, and Deadlines
Case Study: Applying Negotiation Tactics in a Ransomware Scenario
Simulating Negotiations
Role-Playing Ransomware Negotiations: Simulating Interactions with Threat Actors
Analyzing Negotiation Outcomes: Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned
Case Study: Successful Ransomware Negotiations and Their Impact
Ransomware Risk Assessment and Decision-Making
Module 5 : Assessing the Impact of Ransomware
Severity Assessment
Evaluating the Severity of a Ransomware Attack: Scope, Impact, and Recovery Potential
Conducting a Risk Assessment: Business Impact Analysis, Data Sensitivity, and System Dependencies
Case Study: Assessing the Severity of a Ransomware Attack on Critical Infrastructure
Decision-Making in Ransomware Incidents
Making Informed Decisions: Pay, Delay, or Refuse?
Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Different Response Options
Case Study: Decision-Making in a High-Stakes Ransomware Incident
Module 6 : Incident Response and Forensic Analysis
Forensic Analysis of Ransomware Attack
Techniques for Investigating Ransomware Infections: Identifying the Entry Point, Analyzing Malware Behavior
Collecting and Preserving Evidence for Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Case Study: Conducting a Forensic Investigation After a Ransomware Attack
Post-Incident Response
Steps for Recovery: Decryption, Data Restoration, System Rebuilds
Implementing Lessons Learned: Strengthening Defenses, Updating Response Plans
Case Study: Post-Incident Response in a Complex Ransomware Attack
Advanced Ransomware Negotiation Techniques
Module 7 : Advanced Negotiation Techniques
Psychological Techniques in Ransomware Negotiation
Applying Psychological Principles to Influence Threat Actors
Managing High-Stress Negotiations: Techniques for Maintaining Composure and Control
Case Study: Psychological Manipulation in High-Stakes Negotiations
Building a Negotiation Playbook
Developing a Structured Approach to Ransomware Negotiation: Pre-Negotiation, Engagement, Closing
Customizing Playbooks for Different Scenarios: High-Risk vs. Low-Risk Incidents
Case Study: Creating a Negotiation Playbook for a Global Organization
Module 8 : Ransom Payment and Cryptocurrency Management
Understanding Cryptocurrency
Overview of Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Monero, and Their Role in Ransom Payments
Managing Cryptocurrency Transactions: Wallets, Exchanges, and Anonymity
Case Study: Handling a Ransom Payment in Cryptocurrency
Negotiating Payment Terms
Negotiating Payment Schedules, Amounts, and Proof-of-Life for Decryption Keys
Managing the Risk of Non-Delivery: Escrow Services, Payment Delays, and Verification
Case Study: Negotiating Ransom Payments to Minimize Risk
Day 5: Practical Application and Capstone Project
Module 9 : Simulated Ransomware Negotiation
End-to-End Ransomware Negotiation Simulation
Participants Execute a Full Ransomware Negotiation: Crisis Management, Communication, Negotiation, and Payment
Real-World Scenario Simulation: Negotiating with a Sophisticated Ransomware Group
Peer Review and Instructor Feedback on Negotiation Performance
Advanced Ransomware Techniques
Exploring Emerging Ransomware Trends: Double Extortion, Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), and AI-Driven Attacks
Case Study: Addressing Advanced Ransomware Tactics in a Live Negotiation Exercise
Module 10 : Capstone Project and Exam Preparation
Capstone Project
Participants Work on a Comprehensive Capstone Project that Encapsulates All Skills Learned Throughout the Course
Focus on Real-World Application, Reporting, and Analysis
Peer Review and Presentation of Capstone Project
Exam Preparation and Review
Review of Key Concepts and Techniques Covered During the Course
Sample Exam Questions and Group Discussions
Final Q&A Session and Wrap-Up