UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / November 25, 2025 / A new research paper by Jay Barach - IEEE Senior Member, published author, and award-winning innovator - offers fresh insight into how cloud-based HR systems can withstand the rising wave of ransomware threats.

The study, “Enhancing Ransomware Resilience in Cloud-Based HR Systems Through Moving Target Defense”, has been published in the latest Special Addition issue of Tech Science Press’ Computers, Materials & Continua journal.

The exclusive paper explores how AI and adaptive security techniques can help organizations better protect sensitive workforce data. Vera Lee, the Assistant Editor of CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, described Barach’s work in the field as ‘truly impressive’.

Ransomware attacks on HR platforms have accelerated in recent years, targeting systems that manage payroll, hiring workflows, personal information, and compliance records. Barach’s work focuses on a defensive approach known as Moving Target Defense (MTD), which disrupts attackers by continuously altering the system environment rather than relying on static, easily analyzed structures.

The research presents a model that integrates real-time anomaly detection with dynamic system reconfiguration, aiming to contain ransomware activity without interrupting essential business operations. By shifting system components at unpredictable intervals, the framework seeks to make reconnaissance and lateral movement significantly harder for attackers.

“HR platforms handle some of the most sensitive operational data inside any organization,” Barach said. “If attackers break in, they can freeze payroll, hijack employee records, and disrupt essential workflows. My goal with this research was to show that we don’t have to choose between security and continuity: we can have both.”

While the paper offers detailed experimentation results and evaluates system performance under simulated attack conditions, it also highlights a broader challenge: many organizations depend on HR platforms that were never designed to resist modern, AI-enabled ransomware strategies. Barach’s analysis suggests that adaptive defense mechanisms may offer a practical path forward, particularly as cloud adoption continues to accelerate.

He added, “This research is a step toward redefining how we defend high-value systems. We need AI-driven resilience that moves as fast as the threat landscape - and that’s exactly what this framework sets out to deliver.”

As ransomware groups continue to evolve their techniques, Barach’s work contributes to the growing body of research exploring how AI can support real-time defense and improve the reliability of systems critical to day-to-day operations - helping organizations stay ahead of emerging threats.

The study is available via the Tech Science website:  www.techscience.com/cmc/online/detail/24871.

For more information on Jay Barach's work, visit https://thebarach.com.