Ransomware is entering a new phase. According to a recent Axios article, “AI ransomware attacks are coming” — and the stakes for businesses have never been higher. Axios Here’s a breakdown of what is happening, why it matters to you, and how shifting from a “Detect and Respond” mindset to “Isolation and Containment” with AppGuard can make all the difference.
The article explains that ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) groups are now embedding AI into their toolkits. Some of the key points:
Researchers at ReliaQuest found that around 80 % of the RaaS platforms they monitor are now offering automation or AI-tools for attacks.
In one proof-of-concept experiment at Palo Alto Networks, a simulated ransomware attack using AI went from initial compromise to data exfiltration in just 25 minutes.
These AI-enabled attacks are still relatively rare today, but the article warns they are likely to become the norm.
In short: adversaries are leveraging AI to speed up, automate, and scale ransomware campaigns. For business owners that means the window for detection is narrowing—and response alone may no longer suffice.
Several reasons:
Faster attacks, less warning time
When an attack can go from breach to encryption in minutes, your security team has very little time to react. Traditional “detect and respond” frameworks may struggle in that compressed timeframe.
New tactics, more stealth
AI enables attackers to refine phishing campaigns, impersonate your staff with deep fake audio/video, and exploit zero-day vulnerabilities with far less effort. The article cites that attackers are already using AI-generated audio and video to impersonate help-desk agents.
Legacy protection models are reactive
If your security model is built primarily on detecting indicators of compromise, then responding, you’re one step behind: by the time you detect something, the damage may already be done. As adversaries accelerate, you need a different posture.
Critical sectors are increasingly targeted
Whether it’s healthcare, manufacturing, or corporate supply chains, industries with high-value data and operations are especially at risk. (While the article focuses more on the AI innovation side, we know from many other sources this trend holds.)
Here’s the key message: if you keep relying solely on detect-then-respond, your business is exposed. The evolving ransomware threat demands a proactive model built on isolation and containment. That’s precisely where AppGuard shines.
AppGuard doesn’t wait for malware signatures or known IOCs. It uses proven isolation techniques to prevent malicious code or behavior from executing or spreading.
With a 10-year track record of success across enterprise environments, AppGuard is no longer just for the “cutting-edge” — it’s now available for commercial use.
When you isolate threats early, you stop them before they escalate into full-blown breaches, data encryption, or business interruption.
The concept is simple: stop threats at the endpoint by cutting off their ability to execute or move laterally—rather than chasing them after they’ve already started their damaging sequence.
Here are actionable steps:
Assess your current endpoint protection
Are you still relying primarily on detect and respond capabilities (signatures, heuristics, threat intelligence feeds)? If yes, you’re likely vulnerable to AI-driven ransomware.
Validate isolation/containment capabilities
Do your protections actively isolate unknown or untrusted behaviors? Can you prevent the attacker’s next move instead of simply alerting on it?
Engage with a partner who understands the threat landscape
With ransomware gangs now using AI automation, your security partner must be aligned with this new reality—and able to deliver a solution that works under these conditions.
Deploy AppGuard across endpoints
Leverage AppGuard’s mature platform to block threats early, contain malicious behavior, and give you the confidence to focus on business growth rather than constant incident firefighting.
The threat curve is climbing. The Resilience data cited in the article shows that ransomware accounted for 91 % of all losses among its customer base in the first half of 2025. If you’re still relying on signature-based security tools and a purely reactive approach, you’re engaging in a losing battle.
This is no longer “if” your business will be targeted but “when”. And when that time comes, the difference between bouncing back or collapsing may come down to whether you had isolation and containment in place—or whether you were still just detecting and responding.
Call to action
If you are a business owner ready to take control of your endpoint security and stop ransomware in its tracks, let’s talk. At CHIPS we’re ready to show you how AppGuard can shift your defense posture from “detect and respond” to true “isolation and containment”. Don't wait for the next AI-driven incident—schedule a consultation today and protect your business from tomorrow’s threats.
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