The use of digital platforms and cloud systems for critical functions increases exposure in the public services sector to significant risks. A ransomware attack can cause a power interruption to numerous users and cause immediate financial losses.

Ransomware represents a significant threat to all types of companies, but especially in regulated sectors such as energy and distribution, which often manage hybrid IT-OT infrastructures with sensitive customer data. Organizations like AIR-e face sophisticated attacks that exploit weak credentials, phishing, and vulnerabilities in connected environments.

‍

The Ransomware That Paralyzed Air-e

‍

In September 2024, AIR-e, a Colombian company specialized in the distribution of electrical energy in the Caribbean region, was the victim of a ransomware attack orchestrated by the Qilin group. The incident began with a Phishing aimed at employees, which allowed attackers to obtain initial credentials and move laterally across the internal network.

Once compromised, cybercriminals encrypted key billing, online payment and infrastructure management systems, blocking access to operational data such as consumption measurements. The attack caused interruptions of more than a week in digital services, affecting tens of thousands of users who were unable to pay bills or report failures, with estimated losses of $2 million including downtime and remediation.

‍

The Solution: Layered Defense and Recovery with Microsoft and Azure

‍

To counter threats such as those suffered by AIR-e, companies need a framework of Zero Trust that combines prevention, detection and recovery. This multilayered approach, powered by the Microsoft ecosystem, not only blocks initial intrusions, but also contains propagations and restores operations in hours.

‍

• Managing devices using Microsoft Intune: is a device management platform that allows you to centrally manage and protect teams and business data.

• Detection with Microsoft Defender for Endpoints: is a next-generation security solution that protects devices against advanced threats.

• Resiliency with Azure: Ensures continuity through protected backups and disaster recovery plans.

‍

By integrating these tools, AIR-e could have limited the impact: M365 and Intune preventing initial access, Defender detecting the spread, and Azure ensuring rapid restoration of billing and user data.

‍

‍

Conclusion

‍

Protection against ransomware is essential to ensure the operational continuity of your business. The case of AIR-e illustrates how cyber threats can paralyze essential services. Adopting Zero Trust not only mitigates immediate risks, but it also positions your organization as a leader in sustainable cybersecurity, reducing costs and fostering trust. In a world where digitalization is accelerating, invest today in these tools for a future of uninterrupted and secure operations.

Don't wait to be the next target! Evaluate your security infrastructure today, and protect your business against ransomware and other digital threats.

‍