As ransomware gangs and nation-state attackers double down on exploiting flaws in critical infrastructure, the cybersecurity world is witnessing a dangerous trend: the shift from data theft to system-wide disruption.
In a recent CSO Online article, experts warn that vulnerabilities in ICS (Industrial Control Systems) and OT (Operational Technology) environments are no longer just theoretical concerns—they’re now the weapons of choice in real-world cyberattacks.
The article outlines a chilling reality: attackers are targeting critical systems that power utilities, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare—not for espionage, but for maximum impact. These operations are no longer isolated events but part of a broader, coordinated shift to disrupt essential services and demand ransom. The vulnerabilities being exploited? Many of them are known, unpatched, or inherently difficult to fix due to aging infrastructure or proprietary systems that can’t be easily updated.
What makes this new wave of cyberattacks especially dangerous is the growing preference for disruption over data theft. Shutting down power grids, halting manufacturing operations, or crippling hospital systems have far-reaching consequences—not just financially, but in terms of public safety and national security.
These attacks aren’t just coming from ransomware cartels. Nation-states are getting in on the action too, using supply chain infiltration and weaponized vulnerabilities as tools of influence or retaliation.
According to CSO Online, organizations in the critical infrastructure sector are caught in a perfect storm:
They rely on legacy systems with known flaws.
They can’t patch quickly due to uptime and safety requirements.
Traditional security tools still operate in a “detect and respond” mindset.
That last point is key—because by the time you detect, the damage is often already done.
The cybersecurity industry has spent decades refining the “detect and respond” model. SIEMs, EDRs, threat intelligence feeds, and response playbooks are all built around the assumption that we can identify an attack quickly enough to minimize harm. But in critical infrastructure environments, that approach is proving insufficient.
The average ransomware dwell time—the amount of time attackers linger inside a system before striking—has dropped dramatically. In some cases, it's less than 24 hours. That leaves little to no time for traditional tools to spot and stop the threat.
Worse, attackers are increasingly using zero-days, stolen credentials, and “living off the land” techniques that bypass detection altogether.
This is where AppGuard provides a crucial shift in defense strategy. Instead of trying to identify malicious behavior after it starts, AppGuard stops malware before it can execute—no signatures, no updates, no reliance on detection.
AppGuard enforces real-time isolation and containment of applications and processes. If malware tries to launch—even if it’s never been seen before—it’s prevented from doing harm. It cannot detonate, laterally move, or exploit OS-level vulnerabilities.
This approach is especially well-suited for critical infrastructure environments, where patching isn’t always possible and operational continuity is non-negotiable.
AppGuard has a proven 10-year track record of success in protecting high-risk systems in government and defense. Now available for commercial use, it offers a proactive layer of protection that legacy tools simply can’t match.
As the CSO Online article makes clear, critical infrastructure organizations are in the crosshairs—and the traditional defenses we’ve relied on are no longer enough. Business leaders must rethink their cybersecurity posture now, before an attacker forces the issue.
It’s time to move from “Detect and Respond” to “Isolation and Containment.”
Let’s Talk.
If your business is part of the critical infrastructure supply chain—or simply wants to ensure continuity in the face of today’s escalating threats—talk with us at CHIPS about how AppGuard can stop attacks before they start.
This isn’t about reacting faster. It’s about not needing to react at all.
AppGuard is the answer.
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