Twenty Three Years ago
I just finished reading a report about the attacks against water utilities in Minnesota, and one detail stopped me cold. In at least one of the affected utilities, the attackers reportedly modified the ladder logic inside the PLC project file. That detail matters far more than simply saying an attacker gained access to a controller. […]
National Security Isn’t a Convenience Feature
This morning I read a report that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is moving to restrict U.S. approval of new foreign-produced robots and network-connected power inverters due to concerns they could be remotely shut down, hijacked, or used for surveillance. Previously approved models can still be sold and used. My first reaction was simple: This […]
Another Breach. Another Letter. Another Year of Free Credit Monitoring.
The other day I was cleaning out a drawer in my office when I came across something that made me stop and think. It wasn’t old tax documents or forgotten receipts. It was a stack of breach notification letters. Not one or two, but enough that I had to laugh at how ridiculous it has […]
By Aaron Fansler, CEO, FrontLine Cyber Solutions This is probably going to be one of my more controversial articles. Not because I think IT professionals aren’t talented, they absolutely are. Not because I think IT isn’t critical to every organization, it absolutely is. The controversy comes from a question I’ve asked for years: “Why do we continue […]
Are We Stuck in a Cybersecurity Time Loop?
By Aaron Fansler, CEO, FrontLine Cyber Solutions I’ve been working in cybersecurity for almost 25 years now. Over that time, I’ve watched the industry evolve from protecting standalone networks and defending against relatively unsophisticated malware to combating nation-state adversaries, ransomware syndicates, AI-assisted attacks, supply chain compromises, and attacks against critical infrastructure. Technology has changed dramatically. […]
FrontLine Cyber Solutions Partners with Totem Technologies to Deliver an Affordable On-Premises CUI Enclave for Defense Contractors
Small defense contractors have long faced a difficult challenge: how to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) while meeting the rigorous requirements of NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC Level 2, without investing in expensive enterprise-class infrastructure. FrontLine Cyber Solutions is excited to announce our partnership with Totem Technologies to help solve that challenge. Together, we are […]
Beyond the Traditional SOC: Why Operational Technology Requires a Cyber Fusion Center
Industrial organizations are facing a new reality. Power utilities, manufacturers, oil and gas operators, water treatment facilities, transportation providers, and other critical infrastructure organizations can no longer rely on cybersecurity programs designed exclusively for traditional IT environments. The convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT), combined with increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and expanding […]
CIP-015-1 Changes Everything: Why Internal OT Monitoring Is No Longer Optional
Last month, on June 26, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved NERC CIP-015-1, introducing one of the most significant cybersecurity requirements the electric utility industry has seen in years. The new standard requires Internal Network Security Monitoring (INSM) within Electronic Security Perimeters (ESPs), fundamentally changing how utilities must defend critical operational technology (OT) […]