Ransomware on ERP Software Suite
Top event: Ransomware deployed on the ERP software suite
Analysis of attack paths that could result in ransomware encrypting the ERP system and the operational, data, and supply-chain consequences that follow.
Bow-Tie Diagram
Hazard
Corporate IT Infrastructure
Internal networks, servers, endpoints, and business applications (including ERP) that support core business operations
Threats (causes)
Phishing Attack on ERP Users
Targeted phishing email tricks an ERP user into revealing credentials or executing a malicious attachment
Category: Social Engineering
Prevention barriers
Enforce multi-factor authentication for all ERP user and administrator accounts, including service accounts
ERP servers isolated in a dedicated VLAN with strict firewall rules; no direct internet exposure
Exploitation of Unpatched ERP Vulnerability
Attacker exploits a known, unpatched CVE in the ERP application or its underlying middleware to gain remote code execution
Category: Software Vulnerability
Prevention barriers
Monthly vulnerability scanning and patch cycle for the ERP application, OS, and middleware components
ERP servers isolated in a dedicated VLAN with strict firewall rules; no direct internet exposure
Compromised Privileged ERP Account
Admin or service account credentials for the ERP system are stolen via credential stuffing or password spray and used to deploy ransomware
Category: Credential Theft
Prevention barriers
Enforce multi-factor authentication for all ERP user and administrator accounts, including service accounts
Consequences (effects)
ERP System Unavailability
Core business processes (finance, procurement, logistics) are halted while encrypted ERP servers are restored
Category: Operational Impact
Mitigation barriers
Daily encrypted ERP backups written to offline or air-gapped storage; restoration tested quarterly
Documented playbook for ERP ransomware: isolation steps, stakeholder communication, and phased recovery sequence
Manual fallback procedures for critical financial and procurement processes to sustain operations during ERP outage
Implementation: We hebben alle administratie ook op papier in multomappen.
Evaluated 2026-04-10…
Loss or Corruption of Business Data
Financial records, inventory data, and transactional history are encrypted or destroyed, threatening data integrity
Category: Data Impact
Mitigation barriers
Daily encrypted ERP backups written to offline or air-gapped storage; restoration tested quarterly
Documented playbook for ERP ransomware: isolation steps, stakeholder communication, and phased recovery sequence
Supply Chain Disruption
Inability to process purchase orders, goods receipts, or invoices causes supplier and customer delivery failures
Category: Business Impact
Mitigation barriers
Manual fallback procedures for critical financial and procurement processes to sustain operations during ERP outage
Implementation: We hebben alle administratie ook op papier in multomappen.
Evaluated 2026-04-10…
Documented playbook for ERP ransomware: isolation steps, stakeholder communication, and phased recovery sequence