What happens when artificial intelligence gives cybercriminals the ability to identify, map, and exploit critical infrastructure faster than defenders can respond? For the organizations responsible for power grids, manufacturing plants, water utilities, and data centers, that question is no longer hypothetical.
In this episode of The Business of Cybersecurity, I welcome Almog Apirion, CEO and Co-Founder of Cyolo, to discuss why the rules of defending operational technology are changing. Drawing on his experience leading the Israeli Navy's cyber unit and serving as a CISO before founding Cyolo, Almog shares why the rise of AI-powered attacks demands a renewed focus on the security fundamentals many organizations have overlooked.
One of the strongest messages from our conversation is that AI has dramatically lowered the barrier for attackers. Capabilities that once required highly skilled specialists are now becoming accessible to a much wider range of threat actors. Rather than spending weeks researching vulnerable systems, attackers can now automate reconnaissance, identify weak points, and prepare attacks at unprecedented speed. That leaves defenders with far less time to react.
Instead of relying solely on detection and response, Almog argues that businesses must build security into their environments from the beginning. We discuss why identity controls, multi-factor authentication, segmentation, and tightly governed access remain some of the most effective ways to reduce cyber risk, even as AI continues to reshape the threat landscape. Sometimes the simplest security controls still prevent the biggest attacks.
Our conversation also examines why traditional VPN-based remote access has become increasingly difficult to justify inside critical infrastructure. Almog explains why giving users access to an entire network creates unnecessary exposure when modern approaches can limit access to only the specific systems people need to perform their work. That principle sits at the heart of mature zero trust strategies, where every connection is verified and every action is tightly controlled.
Another area we explore is microsegmentation and why it is becoming an increasingly important part of protecting operational technology. Rather than assuming attacks can always be prevented, organizations should prepare for the possibility of compromise and focus on limiting how far an attacker can move through a network. Reducing the blast radius can often make the difference between a contained security incident and a major operational disruption.
We also discuss the practical challenges security leaders face every day. Replacing legacy remote access tools, introducing zero trust without disrupting production, supporting third-party vendors, and maintaining always-on access for mission-critical operations all require careful planning. Almog explains why cybersecurity cannot come at the expense of uptime, particularly in industries where every minute of disruption carries real-world consequences.
This conversation serves as a timely reminder that while AI is changing both sides of cybersecurity, the strongest defenses are still built on solid foundations. As attackers become faster and more automated, organizations must ensure that identity, access, segmentation, and resilience are designed into their environments from the start rather than added after an incident occurs.
If AI is making attacks faster, should security teams spend less time chasing alerts and more time reducing opportunities for attackers altogether? And are the foundations of your security strategy strong enough for the threats that already exist today? I'd love to hear your thoughts after listening.