In 2024, the organization became the target of a sustained cyber campaign aimed at exploiting legacy applications, VPN-accessed systems, and application-layer vulnerabilities. The attacks leveraged Layer 7 abuse, anomalous traffic patterns, and targeted exploitation of internal endpoints at scale. To ensure uninterrupted manufacturing operations and protect critical business workflows, the organization deployed Prophaze Web Application and API Protection (WAAP), enabling real-time threat mitigation and continuous availability across its industrial digital environment.
0
M+
Malicious requests blocked
0
Gbps
Peak attack traffic absorbed
0
%
Production and operational uptime maintained
Challenge
- Targeted Layer 7 attacks against internal and VPN-accessed applications
- Exploitation of legacy systems lacking modern security controls
- Outdated encryption protocols exposing applications to interception and misuse
- Limited visibility into internal user behavior and traffic anomalies
- Application-layer DDoS attempts impacting operational workflows
- Risk of production disruption and operational downtime
- Zero tolerance for security controls that could impact plant availability
Solution
The manufacturer deployed Prophaze WAAP as an always-on application security layer across its internal and VPN-accessed infrastructure.
- Real-time application-layer protection for legacy and internal applications
- AI-driven behavioral analysis to detect anomalous and malicious activity
- Domain-based routing with encrypted traffic inspection at the WAF layer
- Virtual patching to protect vulnerable applications without code changes
- Adaptive rate limiting on sensitive operational and authentication endpoints
- Layer 7 DDoS mitigation to absorb high-volume malicious traffic
- Kubernetes-native auto-scaling to maintain performance during attack spikes
- Centralized dashboards delivering real-time visibility into threats and traffic behavior
Results
- Over 180 million malicious requests neutralized without impacting operations
- No production downtime or disruption to manufacturing workflows
- Legacy systems secured without requiring application modernization
- Improved visibility into internal application traffic and threat patterns
- Reduced operational load on IT and security teams through automated mitigation
- Strengthened resilience against future application-layer and zero-day threats
“Operational continuity is critical in manufacturing. Prophaze enabled us to secure our legacy applications and internal systems in real time—without disrupting production or business workflows.”
–
Senior Technology Leader, Cement Manufacturing Enterprise
Customer
- Industrial Cement Manufacturing Infrastructure
Our Role
- Internal Application Security for Manufacturing Systems
- Layer 7 Application Protection
- Legacy System Protection via VPN Access
- AI-Driven Threat Detection
- Adaptive Rate Limiting for Critical Endpoints
- Behavioral & Anomaly-Based Defense
