In this latest episode of Ransomware Rewind, we dive into the alarming surge of cyberattacks targeting the manufacturing sector and critical infrastructure.

With over 2,100 ransomware attacks recorded in the first three quarters of 2025 alone, industrial environments are now the primary frontline for cyber risk. Joe Erle and Mike Dowdy sit down with Josh Ross, Co-Founder and CEO of Ironloop, to dismantle the myth of the "air gap" and explore how modern hackers are moving laterally from IT networks into the factory floor.

Josh explains why critical systems from water utilities to overlooked cyber-physical assets like HVAC are becoming high-impact attack paths. We discuss the harsh reality that replacing end-of-life legacy systems is often impossible, making defense-in-depth and practical remediation the only viable path forward.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

The Air Gap Illusion: Why your systems aren't as isolated as you think.

Exploiting Firewalls: How IT/OT connections become gateways for ransomware.

Securing Underfunded Infrastructure: The unique challenges of protecting water and public utilities.

Practical Remediation: Why Ironloop focuses on configuration validation and lifecycle monitoring. On-Prem Privacy: Building a security architecture that never touches the cloud. If you are a CISO, a plant operator, or a security leader in the industrial space, this episode provides a masterclass in reducing downtime risk and protecting legacy environments.

Episode Chapters — Key Moments

00:00 – Intro Highlight

01:55 – Ransomware and Manufacturing: The 2025 Data

04:08 – Air Gaps Aren't Enough: The Myth of Isolation

06:01 – Water Systems and Defense in Depth

08:26 – Firewalls Exploited: Lateral Movement into OT

10:21 – Old vs. New: The Problem with Legacy Systems

22:12 – Manufacturing Drones and the Future of Logistics

25:17 – AI in Manufacturing: Predictive Maintenance or Risk?

31:13 – Budgetary Concerns: Security for Underfunded Plants

33:53 – The Data Problem: Monitoring Without Cloud Exposure

36:05 – Starting a Software Company Now: Ironloop's Origin

Expert Guest: Josh Ross | Co-Founder of Ironloop

LinkedIn: / josh-ross1

Website: https://www.ironloop.com

Host: Joe Erle | Cyber Group Practice Leader at C3 Insurance

LinkedIn: / joeerle

X: https://x.com/joe_erle

TikTok: / itscyberjoe

Instagram: / itscyberjoe

Facebook: / joeerle

Co-Host: Mike Dowdy

LinkedIn: / mikedowdy

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Ransomware Rewind, OT Security, Manufacturing, Cybersecurity 2026, SCADA, Industrial Control Systems, Josh Ross, Ironloop, Cyber Insurance, Risk Management