AI is Fueling, Killing Ransomware

Security Breach

Security Breach
AI is Fueling, Killing Ransomware
Aug 28, 2026
Eric Sorensen

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In this episode, we’re doubling up on a couple of topics that continue to be at the top of industrial cybersecurity’s critical issue list – ransomware and artificial intelligence.

The confluence of these two topics is interesting to break down in considering how AI has contributed to the speed and scale of ransomware attacks, while the growth of these extortion campaigns has led to more enterprises seeking out AI solutions to bolster their cyber defenses.

To discuss these intertwining facets of industrial cybersecurity, we’ll first hear from Rob T. Lee, the Chief AI Officer and Chief of Research at the SANS Institute, then from Eric Herzog, the Chief Marketing Officer at Infinidat before getting some closing remarks from Rob. Listen/watch as they discuss:

• The growing threat landscape and what is feeding it.
• How data storage strategies can help mitigate attacks.
• The growing importance of response plans.
• How AI is generating both concern and excitement for cybersecurity strategies.
• The rise of autonomous attack schemes.
• Why experimentation should be a key element of cybersecurity training.
• A copy of the report Rob mentioned can be found here.

To catch up on past episodes, you can go to Manufacturing.net, IEN.com or  MBTmag.com. You can also check Security Breach out wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple, Amazon and Overcast. And if you have a cybersecurity story or topic that you’d like to have us explore on Security Breach, you can reach me at jeff@ien.com.
#Cybersecurity #Ransomware #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #IndustrialCybersecurity #Manufacturing #OTSecurity #CyberThreats #CyberDefense #ManufacturingCybersecurity

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To catch up on past episodes, you can go to Manufacturing.net, IEN.com or MBTmag.com. You can also check Security Breach out wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple, Amazon and Overcast.

If you have a cybersecurity story or topic that you’d like to have us explore on Security Breach, you can reach me at jeff@ien.com.

Episode Artwork AI is Fueling, Killing Ransomware 27:14 Episode Artwork Good Guys Also Use AI 26:35 Episode Artwork LISTEN: The Continuing Evolution of Ransomware 34:13 Episode Artwork LISTEN: Security Breach: 'Prevention is Damn Near Impossible' 34:52 Episode Artwork The Hard Realities of OT Cybersecurity 30:52 Episode Artwork Focus on Hitting Lower, Not Harder 43:38 Episode Artwork 'Defense in Depth is Dead' 35:36 Episode Artwork Countering New-Age, State-Sponsored Industrial Hackers 35:25 Episode Artwork Taking Down of a North Korean Remote Access Scam 36:41 Episode Artwork Multiple Paths to Zero Trust - Channeling D&D, LOTR and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia 44:01 Episode Artwork The Bad Guy's Different Set of Rules 29:01 Episode Artwork Finding the Soul of a Pirate 37:35 Episode Artwork Analyzing, Responding to the Inevitable Uptick in Iranian Cyberattacks 36:38 Episode Artwork Hybrid Warfare is Upon You 31:34 Episode Artwork Security Breach: Strengthening Your Weakest Links 32:58 Episode Artwork Clarifying the Big-Picture Impacts of CMMC 41:23 Episode Artwork Shiny Objects and the Power of Preparation 44:22 Episode Artwork You Don't Have to Out-Tech the Hacker 40:55 Episode Artwork Speaking the Right Language 46:39 Episode Artwork Why People Are Not the Biggest Risk 49:03 Episode Artwork Preserving Uptime in the Face of Evolving Attacks 31:05 Episode Artwork New Patching Strategies for Old Vulnerabilities 26:12 Episode Artwork The Wild & Weird of Industrial Cybersecurity 30:33 Episode Artwork Using AI to Stay Ahead of the Hack 31:41 Episode Artwork Threat Landscape Update 49:32