Lockdown Profits: Airlock Digital’s Allowlisting Gamble Pays Off with Zero Breaches and Triple-Digit ROI

Imagine a world where ransomware never even gets a chance to knock - where the only code running on your company’s endpoints is code you explicitly trust. According to a new independent study by Forrester Consulting, that’s not science fiction, but the daily reality for organizations deploying Airlock Digital’s application control. The numbers are dramatic: a 224% return on investment, $3.8 million in net present value, and - perhaps most strikingly - zero successful breaches among study participants. But does this signal a true paradigm shift in endpoint security, or is allowlisting still a tough sell in a world hooked on reactive defenses?

For decades, cybersecurity has played catch-up - detecting and responding to threats after attackers have breached the gates. Airlock Digital, an Australian-founded security firm, is betting that “deny by default” is the only way to break this cycle. Their approach: strict application allowlisting, meaning nothing runs unless it’s explicitly approved. Skeptics point to the administrative headaches and productivity snarls of legacy allowlisting, but the Forrester TEI study paints a different picture. Interviewed organizations reported that a single analyst could manage Airlock’s policies with a fraction of the effort required by older tools.

The study’s methodology - Forrester’s Total Economic Impact analysis - combines interviews with actual customers and financial modeling based on a composite organization. The verdict? Airlock Digital’s solution not only slashes the risk of breaches by more than 25%, but also delivers millions in savings and operational efficiencies. Security teams, often stretched to the breaking point, found they could enforce strict controls without drowning in paperwork or slowing down users.

David Cottingham, Airlock’s CEO, frames the mission bluntly: “Trust cannot be assumed - it must be enforced.” And in an era of supply chain attacks, ransomware rampages, and regulatory crackdowns, his argument hits home. By blocking anything not explicitly trusted, Airlock’s customers sidestepped malware outbreaks and compliance headaches alike. The study’s boldest claim - zero breaches after implementation - may raise eyebrows, but it’s backed by customer interviews and stands in stark contrast to the daily headlines of ransomware devastation.

The catch? Successful allowlisting depends on operational ease. Airlock’s pitch is that its platform finally makes “deny by default” practical at enterprise scale. With only a few hours a week of maintenance, organizations reportedly saw both security and financial dividends.

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, is proactive prevention poised for a comeback? If Airlock Digital’s TEI numbers hold up, the days of relying on reactive tools may be numbered. For organizations weary of playing defense, allowlisting could be the next big play in the cybersecurity playbook.

WIKICROOK

• Allowlisting: Allowlisting is a security policy that permits only pre-approved software or users to access a system, blocking all others by default.
• Endpoint: An endpoint is any device, such as a computer or smartphone, that connects to a network and must be kept secure and updated to prevent cyber threats.
• ROI (Return on Investment): ROI in cybersecurity evaluates the financial benefits of security investments, helping organizations justify costs and prioritize effective risk-reduction measures.
• Net Present Value (NPV): Net Present Value (NPV) measures the profitability of cybersecurity investments by comparing the current value of future cash flows to initial costs.
• Application Control: Application control restricts and monitors which software can run on devices or networks, enhancing cybersecurity by blocking unauthorized or harmful applications.