How Halcyon Helps MSSP Partners Deliver Stronger Ransomware Defense

Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) have become an essential extension of modern business. Their customers depend on them for always-on monitoring, threat detection, incident response expertise, and the operational muscle needed to run security programs that most organizations can’t staff internally. MSSPs help customers navigate compliance pressures, manage complex security stacks, and stay ahead of threats that evolve faster than most companies can react to. Among those threats, ransomware remains one of the most disruptive and costly risks businesses face.

Today’s ransomware moves faster than traditional tooling can keep up with, and attackers constantly shift tactics to evade detection. Even well-equipped MSSPs face challenges when a novel ransomware strain slips past prevention layers, or when attackers disable security tools before exfiltrating data and launching encryption. This is where Halcyon fits in.

Halcyon gives MSSPs a powerful, purpose-built tool designed specifically for ransomware resilience, protection, and recovery. Instead of relying solely on general-purpose endpoint tools, MSSPs can layer Halcyon on top to deliver a new level of protection tailored to the threat causing the most disruption and downtime. It actively prevents ransomware attacks, captures encryption keys if an attacker begins encrypting files, and restores impacted data, ensuring customers stay resilient even in worst-case scenarios.

Just as importantly for MSSPs, Halcyon acts like an extra set of eyes across all customer environments. Backed by a 24/7 ransomware detection and response team that does all that heavy lifting for you, Halcyon delivers true ransomware resilience without creating noise. And because Halcyon fits naturally into an MSSP’s existing workflows, tools, and monitoring practices, it also enhances operations without adding complexity.  

Recently, Halcyon helped discover a backdoor left in a customer environment to slowly extract sensitive data after a prior ransomware attack.  

Here’s what happened:

1. The Akira ransomware group attacked an MSSP. Akira is known for bypassing EDR software and using Living Off the Land (LOTL) techniques to remain unnoticed. They also love double extortion attacks, first siphoning sensitive data before encrypting data and systems to force victims to pay the ransom.  

2. After the MSSP identified the attack, they worked to immediately boot out the attacker and help stop any encryption attempts. They then brought in an IR firm to support the response process and confirm that the attacker was gone.  

3. The MSSP then deployed Halcyon to ensure attacks like this never happened again.

4. Shortly after deployment, the Halcyon team noticed an unusually large amount of data was being exfiltrated via suspicious methods, raising a bright red flag for our 24x7 Ransomware Detection and Recovery (RDR) team. Our RDR team began an immediate investigation and identified that the attackers had stolen credentials and impersonated admin accounts to set up a backdoor that was still active, extracting data.  

5. We worked with the MSSP to immediately isolate the affected assets, reset credentials, and perform a Kerberos ticket purge to ensure the attackers were fully booted out and had no way back in.  

6. After neutralizing the backdoor, together with the MSSP, we stabilized the customer and returned to normal operating procedures.  

‍

‍

At a time when attackers are innovating faster than traditional security tools can evolve, MSSPs must equip themselves with technologies built for the modern threat landscape.

Partnering with Halcyon allows MSSPs to:

• Deliver best-in-class ransomware defense

• Expand service offerings without increasing SOC workload

• Strengthen protection for customers of all sizes

• Reduce the cost and complexity of incident response

• Build long-term customer loyalty through demonstrably stronger outcomes

Customers trust MSSPs to keep their businesses operational and secure, especially as ransomware continues to grow in sophistication. Halcyon meets this threat head-on, giving MSSPs a powerful advantage in both preventing attacks and enabling rapid recovery.

‍