Locked Up

The textbook Locked Up, 1st Edition, examines ransomware threat mitigation and institutional defense through the lens of an actual LockBit security breach at a university campus. Author Zachary Lewis, Assistant Vice President of IT and Chief Information Security Officer at a private higher education institute, draws upon direct experience during a cyber emergency to guide technical leaders through real-world incident management.

The text organizes its instruction into four core parts that trace the complete progression of a cyber crisis. Early chapters evaluate organizational vulnerabilities and pre-attack security preparations. Middle chapters detail immediate response protocols, war room coordination, leadership decision-making, and risk management strategies under active extortion conditions.

The final sections explain post-attack recovery routines and methods for strengthening institutional defense against future compromises. This volume provides practical guidance for cybersecurity leaders, IT professionals, and institutional decision-makers who must navigate high-stakes technical disruptions.