iCNN-LSTM: A batch-based incremental ransomware detection system using Sysmon

Abstract

In response to the increasing ransomware threat, this study presents a novel detection system that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. By leveraging Sysmon logs, the system enables real-time analysis on Windows-based endpoints. Our approach overcomes the limitations of traditional models by employing batch-based incremental learning, allowing the system to continuously adapt to new ransomware variants without requiring complete retraining. The proposed model achieved an impressive average F2-score of 99.61\%, with low false positive and false negative rates of 0.17\% and 4.69\%, respectively, within a highly imbalanced dataset. This demonstrates exceptional accuracy in identifying malicious behaviour. The dynamic detection capabilities of Sysmon enhance the model's effectiveness by providing a reliable stream of security events, mitigating the vulnerabilities associated with static detection methods. Furthermore, the parallel processing of LSTM modules, combined with attention mechanisms, significantly improves training efficiency and reduces latency, making our system well-suited for real-world applications. These findings underscore the potential of our CNN-LSTM framework as a robust solution for real-time ransomware detection, ensuring adaptability and resilience in the face of evolving cyber threats.