A recent Reuters article revealed a troubling statistic: complaints about ransomware attacks targeting U.S. infrastructure rose 9% in 2023, according to the FBI.
The increase underscores a persistent and evolving threat landscape—one that isn’t just targeting federal entities, but the private sector, small businesses, local governments, schools, and hospitals as well.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 2,800 complaints last year from organizations that fell victim to ransomware. These weren’t just minor nuisances—these were attacks aimed at critical infrastructure. Among the top targeted sectors were manufacturing, healthcare, and government facilities.
As the attacks grow in sophistication, the damage extends far beyond ransom payments. Business operations are halted, sensitive data is exposed, and public trust is eroded. In some cases, lives are even at risk when healthcare providers are forced offline.
Yet despite the rising tide of threats, many organizations still rely on traditional cybersecurity strategies built on a “Detect and Respond” model—a reactive approach that often fails when timing is critical. Once a ransomware attack has breached the perimeter, the clock starts ticking. Even with the best detection tools, containment and recovery are costly and disruptive.
It’s time to shift the cybersecurity conversation.
Why “Detect and Respond” Is Failing Us
The traditional “Detect and Respond” strategy assumes that some malware will inevitably make it through. From there, security teams scramble to identify and isolate the threat before it spreads. But ransomware doesn’t wait—it encrypts data within minutes and often disables monitoring tools before defenders can react.
In a world where attacks are often automated, stealthy, and fast-moving, a reactive posture simply isn’t enough. As the FBI’s report shows, even well-resourced sectors like manufacturing and government agencies are struggling to keep up. For small to midsized organizations, the threat is even more existential.
What’s needed is a paradigm shift—one that prevents the attack from executing in the first place.
Enter AppGuard: Proven Protection Through Isolation and Containment
AppGuard offers exactly that: a proactive, preventive approach through Isolation and Containment.
AppGuard is a proven endpoint protection solution with a 10-year track record of preventing malware—not detecting it after it runs, but stopping it before it can execute at all. It does this by enforcing strict security controls that isolate applications and contain processes, ensuring malicious code is never allowed to launch—even if it’s never been seen before.
Unlike traditional antivirus or EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) tools, AppGuard doesn’t rely on signatures or behavior patterns. It works by enforcing zero-trust execution policies directly on the endpoint, preventing unauthorized processes from initiating.
This is especially vital for sectors like manufacturing and healthcare, where uptime and safety are paramount, and where outdated or legacy systems can’t always be patched quickly. With AppGuard, organizations can lock down endpoints without interrupting day-to-day operations.
What Businesses Need to Do Now
The increase in ransomware complaints to the FBI is not just a warning—it’s a call to action. Every business, regardless of size or industry, needs to reconsider its cybersecurity posture.
Ask yourself:
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Are we relying on detection tools that react after malware is already running?
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Can we afford hours or days of downtime from a ransomware attack?
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Are we confident in our current ability to contain a breach before damage is done?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” it’s time to take the next step.
Talk to CHIPS About How AppGuard Can Help
At CHIPS, we help organizations move beyond reactive cybersecurity strategies. AppGuard’s proven technology, used for years in national security environments, is now available for commercial use. It’s the right solution for businesses ready to prevent attacks instead of cleaning up after them.
Let’s talk about how AppGuard can protect your business before ransomware strikes. Because in today’s environment, waiting for detection means it’s already too late.
👉 Contact CHIPS today to find out how AppGuard can safeguard your business with Isolation and Containment before the next threat hits your doorstep.
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