top of page

Ransomware Protection for SLED: Best Practices & Tools

Securing Public Institutions in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York from One of Today’s Biggest Cyber Threats


Ransomware Protection for SLED: Best Practices & Tools

Table of Contents


Why Ransomware Is a Major Threat to SLED

Ransomware attacks are hitting SLED (State, Local, and Education) organizations harder than ever. Your institutions hold valuable data, often run legacy infrastructure, and tend to face budget limitations that make robust security a challenge.


We get it. And we’ve also seen ransomware shut down school districts, lock up municipal servers, and disrupt local services. Attackers know public sector IT teams are stretched thin—and they exploit that.


At R&D Data Products, we’ve spent 35+ years working shoulder-to-shoulder with schools and government agencies across the tristate, and we know what it takes to stay ahead of these threats.


Top Ransomware Entry Points in Schools & Government Networks

Understanding how ransomware gets in is the first step in stopping it. Here’s where SLED institutions tend to be most vulnerable:


  • Phishing Emails: Staff members clicking on malicious links.

  • Unpatched Software: Outdated systems are low-hanging fruit for attackers.

  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): Poorly secured remote access tools.

  • USB Devices: Infected flash drives used in classrooms or shared offices.

  • Compromised Third-Party Vendors: Weak links in your supply chain.


Best Practices for SLED Ransomware Protection

Here’s what we recommend to our public sector clients throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York:


Implement Zero Trust Architecture

No device or user should be trusted by default—even if they’re already on the network. Segment access and verify identity at every step.


Back Up Everything—And Make It Immutable

Your backup system should support immutable storage—where backups can’t be altered or deleted. Think of it as digital duct tape that hackers can’t mess with.


Patch Early, Patch Often

Automate your patching schedule across all endpoints and infrastructure. Legacy systems? We help modernize those too.


Train Your Staff Like It’s a Fire Drill

Cybersecurity awareness training should be regular, interactive, and tailored. Teachers, admin assistants, town clerks—everyone needs it.


Monitor Network Traffic 24/7

Early detection is everything. Threat monitoring tools with AI can flag suspicious behavior before ransomware locks up your systems.


Must-Have Cybersecurity Tools & Services

We recommend a layered defense strategy. No single tool does it all—but the right combo? That’s a fortress.

TOOL

PURPOSE

WHY IT'S GREAT FOR SLED

Sophos Intercept X

AI-powered endpoint protection

Stops ransomware before it can encrypt files.

Fortinet FortiGate Firewalls

Advanced perimeter defense and traffic control

Perfect for securing multi-campus networks.

Veeam Backup & Replication

Immutable cloud and local backups

Keeps backups safe from encryption or deletion.

KnowBe4 Security Training

Staff education and phishing simulations

Makes your people your first line of defense.

Managed Detection & Response

24/7 expert threat monitoring

Because cyberattacks don’t clock out at 5PM.


How R&D Data Products Supports New Jersey’s Public Sector


At R&D Data Products, we’re not some faceless vendor. We’re a local team that knows the area and SLED landscape inside and out. From school board meetings to town IT strategy sessions—we’ve been there.


Here’s what we bring to the table:


State Contracted & Compliant

We’re an approved supplier on NJ state contracts, so procurement is easy.

Local, Hands-On Support

Need help on-site or on a tight deadline? We’re in the neighborhood.

Complete Solutions

From routers and fiber cabling to endpoint security and backup systems—we do it all.


Quick Reference: Actionable Ransomware Defense Checklist

CATEGORY

ACTION STEP

TOOL/APPROACH

Network Architecture

Segment your network, adopt Zero Trust

Fortinet, network VLANs

Endpoint Protection

Use AI-based antivirus & ransomware rollback

Sophos Intercept X

Data Backup

Store immutable backups, test restore procedures

Veeam Backup & Replication

Staff Training

Launch phishing simulations and awareness programs

KnowBe4

Monitoring & Response

Implement 24/7 threat monitoring

Managed Detection & Response (MDR)

Patch Management

Schedule regular updates across OS, apps, firmware

Patch management automation tools


Need Help Getting Started?

R&D Data Products offers free security assessments for qualified SLED institutions. 


If you're in charge of your district’s or agency’s tech, let’s chat about how to build a ransomware defense strategy that fits your budget and your mission.


Request a consultation at rddata.com/contact

Comments

  • How can you protect your data in the cloud?
    There are many ways to ensure your data is safe and protected in the cloud. Here are five ways to protect your data: Always implement strong access controls Encrypt data at both rest and in transit Leverage a big-name cloud security platform (we suggest Palo Alto) to monitor for suspicious activity Classify your data based on sensitivity and priority Keep security configurations up-to-date and regularly review activity
  • VoIP refers to ... ?
    VoIP refers to Voice over Internet Protocol. Through VoIP technology a municipality or campus can empower users to make and receive phone calls over the internet instead of traditional phone line. VoIP can help cut costs and improve productivity via unified communications.
  • What is a benefit of using cloud computing in networking?
    Cloud computing in networking offers more than one benefit. Benefits of cloud computing in networking include scalability, flexibility, cost-efficiency, speed, and autonomy.
  • How to design an enterprise network
    To design an enterprise network, an enterprise network solutions company like R&D Data Products will: Take time to identify the campus or company's requirements Analyze and assess an organization's current network infrastructure Determine the network topology, or the physical and logical way in which enterprise network nodes connect and data flows choose Plan IP addressing Decide on the most appropriate hardware and software for a campus or organization's needs Implement robust security measures to prevent hacks Ensure network scalability and data redundancy for future growth
  • What is an enterprise network?
    An enterprise network is an organization's IT network infrastructure. An enterprise network connects users, devices, and applications, enabling communication across both cloud and physical, local data center systems. Unlike the internet, with an enterprise network an IT team, Network Operator, or equivalent can ensure security and network reliability by controlling which users and devices have network authorization. Enterprise networks can include both physical and virtual components: LANs: Connect local devices WANs: Link LANs to the cloud Routers, switches, and servers: Facilitate data transfers Firewalls: Monitor and control traffic VPNs: Encrypt network data TLS encryption: Secures data in transit
  • What is the difference between routers and switches?
    The difference between routers and switches is that routers connect networks together, while switches are needed to connect the devices within a network.
  • What Is Zero Trust (ZTN) Cybersecurity?
    Unlike traditional security models that assume trust within a network, Zero Trust operates on the principle of “Never Trust, Always Verify.” Every access request is authenticated, authorized, and continuously monitored. Key Principles of Zero Trust are: Identity & Access Management (IAM) – Verify users before granting access. Least Privilege Access – Minimize user permissions to reduce risks. Micro-Segmentation – Isolate network segments to limit lateral movement. Continuous Monitoring & Threat Detection – Ensure real-time security enforcement.
  • How Ransomware Works
    Ransomware is malware that encrypts critical files and demands payment for decryption. Attacks often originate from: Phishing emails and malicious links Compromised user credentials Unpatched software vulnerabilities Once a system is infected, attackers demand payment, threatening to delete or leak sensitive data if the ransom isn’t paid.
  • How VoIP Reduces Communication Costs
    Switching to VoIP eliminates long-distance charges, costly hardware, and excessive maintenance fees associated with traditional phone systems. Key Cost Benefits: Lower Monthly Service Fees – Reduce telephony costs by up to 50% compared to traditional landlines. No Costly Hardware Upgrades – Use existing internet connections instead of investing in expensive PBX systems. Free Internal Calls – Staff can communicate between locations without incurring extra charges. Flexible Subscription Plans – Pay only for the features and users you need.
  • What are VoIP security best practices?
    Securing your VoIP system is more than setting up firewalls. SLED organizations should consider a layered approach: Top Security Practices: Encrypt VoIP Traffic – Protect calls with end-to-end encryption (e.g., SRTP/TLS). Secure SIP Gateways & Session Border Controllers – Prevent unauthorized access and mitigate DDoS attacks. Implement Network Segmentation – Isolate VoIP traffic from general internet traffic. Strong Authentication & Access Controls – Require strong passwords and restrict access to VoIP systems. Monitor & Audit Call Logs – Detect suspicious usage or fraud.
  • Does VoIP help with school safety and government safety?
    In critical situations like active threats, natural disasters, or medical emergencies, VoIP systems can play a key role in keeping people connected, informed, and safe. VoIP Emergency Features for SLED: E911 Location Services – Accurately transmit caller location to emergency services. Intercom & Paging Integration – Make site-wide or zone-specific announcements. Lockdown Alerts – Send automated messages through multiple channels. Voicemail-to-Email – Capture critical information even when lines are busy.

© 2023 by R & D Data Products. All rights reserved.

bottom of page