The Challenge
Mannington Mills discovered malware in its environment in late 2024. With a mix of information and operational technologies in their environment, Mannington was vulnerable in the ways many manufacturing organizations are. Operational up-time is critical to manufacturing businesses since, without the ability to create, there's no ability to generate revenue. Thus, compounded with data loss and reputational damage, ransomware is particularly dangerous for manufacturing organizations.
Having previously prioritized it's security posture, Mannington was poised to respond to cyber threats. Alerted by its SEVN-X-recommended Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Mannington immediately launched into action with its Incident Response Plan.
The Solution
When a ransomware attack presented itself, Mannington Mills was prepared and acted quickly using their pre-determined plans. A long-standing client of SEVN-X, Mannington had anticipated and enhanced its security posture to be ready for this type of threat. Here are a few things your organization should be considering if you're looking to have a similar outcome in your environment:
SEVN-X Ransomware Readiness Assessments ->
Uncover vulnerabilities in backup systems, endpoint security, and response protocols.
- Custom-Built Ransomware Emulator: Conduct a controlled ransomware simulation to assess detection and mitigation capabilities.
- Compliance as a Baseline: Evaluate policies, controls, and security measures based on NISTIR 8374.
- Industry-Leading Expertise: Deep knowledge of both regulatory frameworks and real-world TTPs.
- Actionable Insights & Roadmaps: Clear, executive-level recommendations specific to your organization.
- Comparative Benchmarking: Real-world comparison of your organization's ransomware resilience against industry peers
- 24x7 Emergency Support: Immediate access to IR experts.
- Proactive Threat Hunting: Regular sweeps for Indicators of Compromise (IOCs).
- Forensic Investigation & Root Cause Analysis: Capture lessons learned with detailed post-incident reporting for regulatory and operational insights.
Managed Detection & Response (MDR) ->
Proactive threat detection and rapid response capabilities.
- 24x7 Threat Monitoring: AI-driven detection of ransomware activity in real-time.
- Behavioral Analytics & Threat Intelligence: Advanced analytics to detect anomalies in network and endpoint behavior.
- Automated & Expert-Led Response: Faster containment with automated playbooks and expert SOC analysts reviewing threats.
- Seamless Integration: Compatible with the most existing SIEM and EDR solutions.
Rarely is an effective response to cyberthreats accomplished with a silver bullet. Rather, using a combination of tools and preparedness techniques is the key to achieving the best outcome. In Mannington's case, the company reduced its ransomware risk, improved its security operations, and ensured business continuity by selecting a good fit MDR vendor, preparing for ransomware with an IRP, and training its staff to make an effective response.
The Results
Ultimately, Mannington Mills avoided becoming the victim of a ransomware attack. Having suffered one in 2019 that cost $3M/day in operational downtime, the potential damage avoided was significant—including reputational impact, lost revenue, staff overtime, legal fees, and insurance premium hikes.
Key Takeaways
✔ Ransomware readiness assessments uncover critical gaps before attackers do.
✔ IR retainers minimize downtime, ensuring businesses stay operational.
✔ MDR enables faster response times, decreases attack dwell time, and reduces financial losses.
