11 Ransomware Recovery Steps with SentinelOne

If your organization has been hit by ransomware and you use SentinelOne, this listicle walks through 11 concrete steps to restore systems and data. It is written for IT administrators and security responders who need a clear, actionable playbook—from isolating affected endpoints to verifying backups and tuning future defenses.

1. Isolate Affected Endpoints Immediately

Use SentinelOne’s management console to isolate any endpoint that shows signs of compromise. Navigate to the endpoint’s actions menu and select “Isolate� to cut off network communication while preserving the device for forensic analysis. This prevents lateral movement and further encryption. Do not power off the machine—keep it isolated but running so SentinelOne can collect telemetry.

2. Engage SentinelOne’s Ransomware Rollback

If you have the SentinelOne Ranger or Vigilance add-on, check whether rollback is enabled. The agent continuously snapshots file states, and rollback can restore files encrypted by ransomware using the “Rollback� option in the endpoint’s action menu. This works best when the attack is detected quickly, so act fast. Note that rollback only covers files that were modified on the protected endpoint, not network shares.

3. Collect a Full Forensic Snapshot

Before restoring anything, gather evidence. In SentinelOne, use the “Deep Visibility� module to export a timeline of process executions, network connections, and file modifications. Also, create a full disk image or at least a memory dump of the affected endpoint. These artifacts are crucial for understanding the attack vector and for any legal or insurance requirements.

4. Identify the Ransomware Variant

Use SentinelOne’s threat intelligence and third-party services like No More Ransom to identify the specific ransomware family. The variant determines whether free decryption tools exist and whether rollback is feasible. Look at the ransom note, file extensions, and any indicators of compromise (IOCs) provided by SentinelOne’s detection details.

5. Check Backup Integrity and Age

Verify that your backups are intact and not encrypted. Check the last successful backup time and test restoration from a clean, offline backup. If possible, use versioning to restore files from before the attack. Do not assume backups are safe—ransomware often targets backup repositories, so scan them with SentinelOne before use.

6. Wipe and Reimage Affected Systems

Even if SentinelOne reports a clean state, it is safer to reimage compromised endpoints. Boot from a known-good installation media, wipe the drive completely, and reinstall the OS. This ensures no hidden persistence mechanisms remain. Apply all security patches before reconnecting to the network.

7. Restore Data from Clean Backups

After reimaging, restore data from verified clean backups. Prioritize critical systems and data. During restoration, keep the endpoint isolated from the production network until you are confident the restore is clean. Monitor the restoration process with SentinelOne to catch any re-infection attempts.

8. Reset Credentials and Rotate Keys

Assume that all credentials, including service accounts and domain admin accounts, are compromised. Reset passwords and revoke any active sessions. Rotate encryption keys for any data-at-rest protection and reissue certificates. Use SentinelOne’s identity protection features if available to monitor for suspicious logins.

9. Scan Restored Data with SentinelOne

Before moving restored data into production, run a full scan with SentinelOne. Enable “Smart Scan� and “Behavioral AI� to detect any dormant malware. Also, use the “Investigate� feature to search for known IOCs from the attack. This step catches any files that might have been restored with the data.

10. Review and Improve Detection Rules

Analyze the attack timeline in SentinelOne’s Deep Visibility to identify gaps in your detection rules. Create custom rules to alert on the specific behaviors observed, such as unusual PowerShell usage or mass file renames. Update your EDR policies to block similar attack techniques in the future.

11. Update Your Incident Response Plan

Document everything that happened, what worked, and what didn’t. Update your incident response plan with lessons learned, including new playbooks for ransomware. Schedule regular tabletop exercises and ensure backups are tested frequently. Consider adding SentinelOne’s 24/7 managed detection and response service if you lack in-house coverage.

How to Choose

When deciding which steps to prioritize, consider the criticality of the affected systems and the availability of backups. The order may vary, but isolation and evidence collection should always come first. If you have SentinelOne’s rollback feature, use it early—it can save hours of restoration. For organizations without robust backups, focus on forensic analysis and containment to prevent further spread. Always consult with your security team and legal counsel before paying a ransom, as paying does not guarantee data recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does SentinelOne automatically rollback ransomware?
Only if you have the rollback feature enabled and the attack is detected in time. The agent needs to have been monitoring the endpoint before the attack.

Q: Can I use SentinelOne to decrypt files?
No, SentinelOne does not decrypt files. It can rollback to previous versions if enabled, but for other cases you need decryption tools or backups.

Q: What if I don’t have backups?
Your options are limited: try free decryption tools, check if rollback is available, or consider professional recovery services. Prevention is critical.

Q: Should I pay the ransom?
Law enforcement and security experts advise against paying, as it funds criminals and does not guarantee decryption. Focus on recovery and prevention.

Q: How long does the recovery process take?
It varies widely—from a few hours for a single endpoint with rollback, to weeks for large networks with no backups. The key is to have a tested plan.

Q: Can SentinelOne prevent future attacks?
SentinelOne provides strong endpoint protection, but no single tool is foolproof. Use it alongside network segmentation, user training, and regular backups.

Final Thoughts

Ransomware recovery is stressful, but a structured approach minimizes damage. SentinelOne’s features—rollback, deep visibility, and automated response—can significantly speed up restoration. However, the most important step is preparation: maintain clean, offline backups and test your incident response plan regularly. No tool replaces a solid backup strategy.

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