The FBI recently disclosed that the Play ransomware operation has compromised more than 900 organizations worldwide, including entities in critical infrastructure sectors.
In a report by BleepingComputer, the scope and impact of these breaches underscore just how ineffective traditional “detect and respond” strategies have become in the face of modern ransomware campaigns.
The Rise and Reach of Play Ransomware
The Play ransomware gang has been active since June 2022, and it has made a name for itself through double-extortion tactics—encrypting files and exfiltrating sensitive data to pressure victims into paying. According to the FBI, the 900 known victims span North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, with targets ranging from finance and healthcare to government and manufacturing.
Play ransomware exploits vulnerabilities in public-facing applications and relies heavily on valid accounts and remote desktop protocols (RDP) to move laterally through networks. Once inside, attackers deploy custom scripts to disable antivirus tools and delete backups, effectively neutralizing common defenses.
It’s a brutal reminder that many ransomware campaigns don’t need to “break in”—they log in. And once inside, they move quickly, often before endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions can flag unusual behavior.
“Detect and Respond” Is Too Late
Traditional cybersecurity models have long relied on “detect and respond” strategies, where software attempts to spot unusual activity and stop it before damage is done. But what happens when the malware is novel, the behavior appears legitimate, or the attackers use legitimate tools?
The Play ransomware operation illustrates this flaw. Many of the group’s tactics involve “living off the land”—using standard admin tools and legitimate software already inside the network, making detection extremely difficult. By the time something gets flagged, it's often too late: files are encrypted, data is stolen, and operations are paralyzed.
The Case for “Isolation and Containment”
It’s time for a fundamental shift in endpoint security—from “detect and respond” to “isolation and containment.” Instead of trying to detect everything, containment-based solutions prevent untrusted processes from executing harm in the first place.
That’s where AppGuard stands apart.
AppGuard’s patented technology prevents attacks by blocking malicious actions at the process level—without needing to recognize the malware. It stops unauthorized changes to memory, system configurations, and application behavior before damage can occur. Even if a device is exploited through a zero-day vulnerability or a stolen credential, AppGuard keeps the threat isolated and contained.
And this isn’t new. AppGuard has a proven 10-year track record of success, initially protecting classified government systems. Today, that same technology is available for commercial use—empowering businesses to protect themselves from ransomware like Play without the false confidence of after-the-fact detection.
No One Is Too Small to Be Targeted
While the news focuses on global corporations and critical infrastructure, small and mid-sized businesses are increasingly at risk. These organizations often lack the layered defenses of larger enterprises but remain attractive targets due to valuable data and weaker security postures.
Whether you’re a healthcare provider, manufacturer, financial services firm, or local government agency, you can’t afford to rely on reactive tools when ransomware is this pervasive, stealthy, and fast-moving.
A Better Way Forward
The Play ransomware campaign is only one example—but it’s a chilling one. Hundreds of victims, including organizations vital to public well-being, were breached. Their defenses failed not because they weren’t trying—but because they were relying on strategies that can’t keep up.
At CHIPS, we believe there’s a better way. It’s time to adopt a prevention-first mindset that isolates threats before they execute and contains them before they spread.
Let’s Talk
If you're a business owner or IT leader, don't wait until you're a victim. Talk with us at CHIPS about how AppGuard can protect your endpoints by stopping ransomware like Play before it starts. Let’s move beyond “detect and respond” and embrace the power of “isolation and containment.”
AppGuard is the answer. Let’s make sure you’re ready.
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