When Ransomware Strikes: Lessons from Fort Bend County Libraries
In what’s been called “the biggest cyber event in Fort Bend County history,” a massive ransomware attack struck the county library system on February 24, 2025. According to internal emails, “everything in the library that was connected to the network is compromised”, and the fallout has been severe.
The attack wasn’t just swift—it was devastating. The ransom note declared that “all files were encrypted and important data was copied to the operator’s storage”. Systems remain offline months later: patrons can’t access catalogs, renew cards, or use library computers. The county has spent millions rebuilding the network, and services may continue to be impaired for months.
What went wrong?
A post-incident assessment exposed glaring vulnerabilities: outdated operating systems, unsupported hardware, lack of security monitoring, and—critically—publicly exposed servers assigned to open internet IPs. An IT director said bluntly that the county “is facing this event because of [the library IT staff’s] lack of knowledge and poor management of the library technology infrastructure” .
Attempts by library staff over the years to secure cybersecurity tools were repeatedly rejected. One staffer said: “The library has asked for tools, resources, and engineering hours in every budget submitted, only to be denied.” In short, years of neglected security posture—what’s often called technical debt—led to catastrophe.
The takeaway is clear: playing the cyber “detect and respond” game only delays problems—it doesn’t stop them.
Traditional endpoint protection focuses on detection and response—often after damage is already in motion. The Fort Bend attack shows how quickly ransomware can overwhelm that approach.
We must shift to Isolation and Containment—stopping threats at the endpoint before they spread. That’s where AppGuard transforms defense.
Why AppGuard?
Proven track record: Trusted for over 10 years in government, defense, and enterprise environments.
Pre-execution containment: Automatically isolates untrusted or malicious activity—before ransomware can encrypt files or exfiltrate data.
Minimal disruption: Unlike intrusive detection systems, AppGuard operates quietly in the background, preventing threats without compromising user productivity.
Commercial availability: Now accessible to businesses of all sizes looking to harden endpoint defenses without overhauling infrastructure.
No more waiting for alerts when it's already too late. AppGuard delivers proactive protection by stopping bad behavior in its tracks.
Fort Bend County’s libraries are a cautionary tale: don’t wait for your systems to collapse under ransomware before acting. The cost financially and reputationally—is too high.
Stop playing the crazy game. Come over to the AppGuard way of doing things.
Make the switch:
Move from “Detect & Respond” to “Isolation & Containment.”
Protect your endpoints with AppGuard’s decades-proven, now-commercial solution.
Ensure continuity—don’t let your operations go dark for months.
If you're a business owner concerned about ransomware or persistent endpoint threats, reach out to us at CHIPS today. Let’s start a conversation about how AppGuard can prevent incidents like this by breaking the attack before it begins. Don’t wait for chaos, let's fortify your defenses now.
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