--- title: Ransomware Attackers May Target Industrial Machines Soon description: Ransomware Attackers May Target Industrial Machines Soon --- [Securafy Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) - [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) - [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) - [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Topics](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-cover) [Tools](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-tools) [Books & Guides](https://blog.securafy.com/#sf-books) [Talk to Securafy](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) [Knowledge Hub](https://blog.securafy.com) / IT Operations IT Operations # Ransomware Attackers May Target Industrial Machines Soon Ransomware Attackers May Target Industrial Machines Soon ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) By Randy Hall Updated Jul 2024 3 min read Share [**](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2021/07/21/ransomware-attackers-may-target-industrial-machines-soon) [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.securafy.com/2021/07/21/ransomware-attackers-may-target-industrial-machines-soon&text=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3ERansomware+Attackers+May+Target+Industrial+Machines+Soon%3C%2Fspan%3E) [**](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3ERansomware+Attackers+May+Target+Industrial+Machines+Soon%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https://blog.securafy.com/2021/07/21/ransomware-attackers-may-target-industrial-machines-soon) ![](https://static.hsstatic.net/BlogImporterAssetsUI/ex/missing-image.png)Government officials and some internet security researchers have been saying for quite some time now that the nation's (and the world's) core infrastructure is at risk. Some examples include the flow of water into cities, the flow of electricity, and the traffic lights that keep city streets relatively organized. All of these depend on the reliable function of Industrial Control Systems, and these, as it turns out, are incredibly easy to hack. A couple of years ago, hackers brought traffic to a standstill in a city in Texas by hacking the control system for signal lights. Other hackers have attacked water systems, with the effect of denying large numbers of citizens access to clean water for days at a time. We've also seen hackers overload transformers and cut power in limited areas of municipalities, and this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. So far, these attacks have been little more than experiments. Small forays into a new frontier designed to test the defenses of the perimeter and see what's possible. The results of those initial attacks have revealed glaring weaknesses that, if exploited in a serious and large scale way, could paralyze entire cities, perhaps for weeks at a time. Those hacks, if and when they occur, will absolutely cost lives. **As Bharat Mistry, the technical director of Trend Micro puts it:** *"The underground cyber crime economy is big business for ransomware operators and affiliates alike. Industrial Control Systems found in critical national infrastructure, manufacturing and other facilities are seen as soft targets, with many systems still running legacy operating systems and unpatched applications. Any infection on these systems will most likely cause days if not weeks of outage."* This is a dangerous time, and worse, at present, there is no serious effort being made anywhere to better secure industrial control systems. It's a ticking bomb that could go off at any time. Sooner or later, a state sponsored group of hackers is going to pull the trigger. Probably sooner than later. Tagged Under IT Operations[Cybersecurity](https://blog.securafy.com/tag/cybersecurity)Cyber RiskBusiness Continuity In This Article Need Help With Your Current Setup? Talk through your current systems, risks, and support gaps with Securafy. [Book a Strategy Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/securafy/strategy-call) ## Join The Conversation Have a question or perspective on this topic? Add it below. ![Randy Hall](https://blog.securafy.com/hubfs/Randy%20Hall%202.png) About The Author Randy Hall · CEO & Founder Randy Hall is the CEO and Founder of Securafy, with decades of experience helping organizations make smarter, safer decisions about technology. A frequent speaker and instructor at national IT events, Randy has advised thousands of organizations, from startups and SMBs to large enterprises and U.S. government entities, on secure, practical technology adoption. He writes about the decisions business leaders are often expected to make without enough context, including cybersecurity, compliance, AI, cyber insurance, IT strategy, and business resilience. Outside the office, you’ll often find Randy on Lake Erie enjoying time on his 38-foot Chris-Craft. **Writes about:** Cybersecurity strategy, compliance, AI security, business resilience, cyber insurance, SMB risk, IT leadership [More From This Author →](https://blog.securafy.com/author/randyhall) Related Articles Business Continuity [Compliance Risk Assessment: How Downtime Impacts Your Bottom Line](https://blog.securafy.com/compliance-risk-assessment-how-downtime-impacts-your-bottom-line) When systems go down, compliance obligations don't pause—and the financial consequences ... 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