> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/suspicious-data-encryption.md).

# Suspicious data encryption

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                                                                  |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                                                                |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                                                                |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                                                                     |
| Deduplication Period | 1 Day                                                                                                  |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent                                                                                              |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Impact (TA0040), Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                                              |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Data Encrypted for Impact (T1486), Obfuscated Files or Information: Encrypted/Encoded File (T1027.013) |
| Severity             | Low                                                                                                    |

### Description

Known applications were used to encrypt data within a machine's local file system.

### Attacker's Goals

Damage or hide data on the local file system.

### Investigative actions

* Check if the action was done using an automation service.
* Check if there are any other suspicious activities originated from the same machine/executing user.


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