Appalachia Technologies Blog

Your biggest security risk isn't a zero-day exploit announced this morning. It’s that 20-year-old server running your door locks that everyone is too afraid to touch.

Let’s talk about the ghosts in your network.

We all have them. The Windows XP machine controlling a critical manufacturing line. The ancient server managing CCTV feeds. The forgotten box that holds the keys to your building's physical access. We keep them because they’re “too expensive to replace” or, more ominously, “too critical to turn off.”

But by treating them as untouchable, we're not avoiding risk; we are blindly accepting it.

The Difference Between Augmentation and Replacement

There's a moment in every AI implementation where you face a choice: Do we use this to amplify what humans do well, or do we use it to replace them entirely?

Most organizations don't even realize they're making this choice. They drift toward replacement by default, following vendor promises and cost-cutting instincts. But there's another way—one that recognizes a fundamental truth: The magic happens when humans and AI work together, not when one replaces the other.

This week, let's explore how to keep humans at the center of your AI strategy, not just in philosophy but in practice.

The AI Conversation We're Not Having

Every discussion about AI seems to devolve into the same tired debate: Will AI save us or destroy us? Are you a believer or a skeptic? Should we accelerate or pump the brakes?

This binary thinking is killing our ability to implement AI effectively. While we're busy arguing about robot overlords versus digital utopia, real organizations are struggling with real questions that don't fit neatly into either camp.

It's time for a third way—one that neither fears nor worships AI, but instead asks a simple question: How can we use this technology to make work more human, not less?

In my first blog of this series (Defining and Identifying Your Attack Surface), we covered what makes up your organization’s attack surface, and how it’s likely bigger (and more complex) than you realize. But knowing what’s out there is only the beginning. If you want to stay ahead of threats, you need to continuously monitor your environment, keep your asset inventory up to date, and prioritize which exposures deserve your attention.

Let’s break down what that really looks like in practice.

What Is Alert Fatigue?

Alert fatigue happens when cybersecurity teams receive so many alerts — from failed logins to firewall warnings — that they begin to tune them out.

• Example: A SOC analyst might receive hundreds or thousands of alerts in a single shift.
• The Risk: When every alert seems urgent, nothing feels urgent.

In the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, organizations invest heavily in vulnerability management programs, deploy cutting-edge scanning tools, and implement comprehensive patch management processes. Yet despite these efforts, many still fall victim to cyberattacks. Why? The answer often lies not in the sophistication of the threats, but in the fundamental blind spots that exist within their security posture.

We asked our security team to identify the most common blind spots they encounter when working with organizations. Their insights reveal a sobering truth: the most dangerous vulnerabilities often hide in plain sight, overlooked by even well-intentioned security programs.

In today’s evolving threat landscape, understanding your attack surface is no longer optional, it’s foundational. Before you can defend your organization effectively, you need to know what you’re defending. That’s why the first step in any strong Attack Surface Management (ASM) program is clearly defining and identifying your attack surface.

But what exactly is an “attack surface”? Let’s break it down.

Warning: The following blog is a commentary of the Netflix limited series, "Zero Day" and may contain spoilers.  

The Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 is based on the 110 security practices from NIST SP 800-171 rev 2. These practices are designed to protect controlled unclassified information (CUI) within the defense supply chain. For most DoD contractors, achieving CMMC Level 2 compliance is now mandatory, but the process is challenging. Organizations must navigate evolving requirements, implement technical controls, manage costs, train their workforce, and prepare for stringent audits. Here’s an overview of the top challenges contractors face along with the best practices for overcoming them.

PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliance isn’t new, but it does constantly change. Maybe you’ve sorted it out, maybe not. Regardless, making it easier should be a goal for every security or compliance leader. A strong compliance management program will maintain compliance for you. It can also be a great tool to help bolster security and justify budget allocation. So how do you do it?

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, safeguarding sensitive government data is a top priority for federal agencies—and for the contractors they partner with. While classified information has long been protected through well-established regulations, a new category of “Controlled Unclassified Information” (CUI) has emerged in recent years, prompting additional guidance and compliance requirements. Enter the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule for CUI.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what CUI is, why it matters to government contractors, and how the FAR rule on CUI will shape compliance requirements going forward.

Sourdough.  Yes, I am starting a blog for a cybersecurity company with the 2020 hot trend of sourdough.  Over Christmas break, my resistance to joining the sourdough club broke and I started down the path.  I spent time consuming all the information I could – I scoured Instagram and started following creators, I watched YouTube videos on how to properly do a ‘stretch and fold,’ and I perused website after website to figure out what the heck I was doing.  As a visual learner, I was thrilled when a blogger had included video for further explanation.  And in many cases, the videos were embedded from TikTok. 

Imagine being the owner of the most popular coffee joint on the corner. Your loyal customers line up outside each morning, eager to grab their caffeine fix. But, one day, as your staff hustles to keep up with the orders, a sudden storm knocks out the power, leaving the cafe in the dark. Or worse, a cyberattack targets your billing system, leaving a long line of frustrated customers.

Unexpected chaos can strike any business at any time. One moment, you’re basking in the glory of running a successful establishment; the next, you’re thrown against a wall, staring at a crisis that could disrupt your entire business. Don’t let this be your story.

Whether you’re a small business or a multinational corporation, your success hinges on the integrity and availability of critical data. Every transaction, customer interaction, and strategic decision relies on this precious asset.

As your dependence on data grows, so do the risks. Cyber threats and data breaches aren’t just potential disruptions when you possess valuable and sensitive data; they’re existential threats that can undermine your business continuity.

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, unexpected disruptions can strike at any time. Are you prepared to weather the storm and emerge stronger? Business continuity planning (BCP) is your essential toolkit for resilience. Let's delve into the importance of BCP, common threats, and how to create a robust plan to safeguard your organization.

In my 25+ year cyber security career, I have watched the demand for compliance auditing grow.  In a world where the need to carry cash is diminishing, the need for securing digital data, such as credit cards, is vital.  How do businesses go about protecting their clients’ credit data?  More importantly, how do we as customers know that our credit card data is being protected?  The answer is PCI.

AI has become a buzzword that often evokes a mix of awe, doubt and even fear, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. However, the fact is that if used effectively AI can revolutionize the way businesses like yours operate.

That’s why you must cut through the noise and separate fact from fiction if you want to leverage AI effectively. In this blog, we'll debunk some common misconceptions about AI in cybersecurity.

Managing a business on your own is challenging enough without worrying about cyberattacks. However, there is cause for alarm as hackers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to launch sophisticated cyberattacks to steal your data and disrupt business operations.

The good news is there are steps you can take to protect your business. This blog will explain how AI is being used in cybercrime and how you can safeguard your business.

As technology continues to advance, more and more businesses like yours are adopting Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications due to their flexibility, affordability and user-friendly nature. These cloud-based services have become a staple in the corporate world, offering tools that range from email and communication platforms to customer relationship management and project tracking systems.

However, as much as SaaS brings convenience and efficiency to the table, it also introduces new challenges — particularly when it comes to data protection. That’s why finding the right SaaS backup solution is not just an option but a necessity for safeguarding your business’s digital assets.

For businesses, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions offer unparalleled opportunities to enhance efficiency, scalability and overall operations. However, growing  SaaS backup-related misconceptions also have the potential to hurt your business growth.

In this blog, we’ll shed light on some SaaS-related truths you simply cannot afford to ignore. Let's dive in.