Iran’s MuddyWater breaches multiple U.S. organizations. The FBI probes a breach of wiretap management systems. A China-linked threat actor targets South American telecoms. Cisco patches critical firewall flaws. CISA flags actively exploited bugs in Hikvision cameras and Rockwell industrial systems. A House committee advances the controversial KIDS online safety bill. The FBI arrests a suspect accused of stealing millions in seized crypto from the U.S. Marshals Service. Ben Yelin and Ethan Cook unpack the dispute between Anthropic and the Pentagon. Wikimedia worm wreaks widespread wiki woes. 

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CyberWire Guest

Today, we’re bringing you a featured conversation from our Caveat podcast, where Ben Yelin sits down with N2K Lead Analyst Ethan Cook to unpack the fallout between the Pentagon and Anthropic, what led to the deal unraveling, and what it means as the government pivots to a similar AI contracting agreement with OpenAI. You can listen to their full conversation here and catch new episodes of Caveat featuring Dave and Ben every Thursday with special appearances by Ethan.

Selected Reading

Iranian APT Hacked US Airport, Bank, Software Company (SecurityWeek)

Tech Giants, Washington Rally for Anthropic in Pentagon Feud (GovInfo Security)

FBI investigates breach of surveillance and wiretap systems (Bleeping Computer)

Chinese state hackers target telcos with new malware toolkit (Bleeping Computer)

Cisco Patches 48 Firewall Vulnerabilities with Two CVSS 10 Flaws (Hackread)

CISA Flags Hikvision Camera & Rockwell Logix Vulnerabilities as Actively Exploited (SOCRadar)

House panel marks up kids digital safety act amid Democrat backlash (The Record)

US contractor's son arrested over alleged $46M crypto theft (The Register)

Wikipedia hit by self-propagating JavaScript worm that vandalized pages (Bleeping Computer)

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Show Notes:

As the cybersecurity industry has grown, the field has struggled to answer the question: do certifications matter? In this episode of CISO Perspectives, host ⁠Kim Jones⁠ sits down with N2K's own, ⁠Simone Petrella, to answer this question and discuss why the value of certifications continue to be debated. Throughout the conversation, Simone and Kim will discuss the challenges associated with certifications, and how the industry can adjust the ways it sees and utilizes them.

Got cybersecurity, IT, or project management certification goals?

For the past 25 years, N2K's practice tests have helped more than half a million professionals reach certification success. Grow your career and reach your goals faster with N2K’s full exam prep of practice tests, labs, and training courses for Microsoft, CompTIA, PMI, Amazon, and more at n2k.com/certify.

Want more CISO Perspectives?

Check out a companion ⁠⁠blog post⁠⁠ by our very own Ethan Cook, where he breaks down key insights, shares behind-the-scenes context, and highlights research that complements this episode. It’s the perfect follow-up if you’re curious about the cyber talent crunch and how we can reshape the ecosystem for future professionals.

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Unit 42 is tracking more than 60 active hacktivist groups and Iran-linked threat actors right now. What are they actually doing, what should you believe, and what should you do about it?

In this episode of Threat Vector, David Moulton sits down with Justin Moore, Senior Manager of Threat Intelligence Research at Unit 42, and Andy Piazza, Senior Director of Threat Intelligence at Unit 42, to walk through the Unit 42 Iran Threat Brief and what the observed activity means for defenders.

You'll learn:

- What Unit 42 is actually observing from groups like Handala Hack, FAD Team, and Dark Storm, and what claims remain unverified

- Why Iran's reduced internet connectivity changes the threat picture in ways that aren't obvious

- What dispersed operators and proxy groups mean for organizations far outside the Middle East

- Which defensive actions matter most against the TTPs and IOCs Unit 42 has documented

- How to handle hacktivist claims that may be exaggerated or false

Justin Moore brings nine years of intelligence officer experience plus senior threat intel roles at Mandiant, Google, and TikTok before joining Unit 42. Andy Piazza has more than 20 years in security operations and threat intelligence, including leading IBM X-Force's global threat intel team.

Read the threat brief from Unit 42: 

- Escalation of Cyber Risk Related to Iran (March 2026)

- Escalation of Cyber Risk Related to Iran (June 2025)

This episode is essential listening if you're: a CISO assessing current exposure, a threat analyst tracking Iran-linked groups, or a security leader who needs to explain the actual observed risk to your board.

Related Episodes:

- Inside the Mind of State-Sponsored Cyberattackers

- Frenemies With Benefits

- From Policy to Cyber Interference

#Cybersecurity #ThreatIntelligence

About Threat Vector

Threat Vector by Palo Alto Networks is your premier podcast for security thought leadership. Join us as we explore pressing cybersecurity threats, robust protection strategies, and the latest industry trends.

The podcast features in-depth discussions with industry leaders, Palo Alto Networks experts, and customers, providing crucial insights for security decision-makers.

Whether you're looking to stay ahead of the curve with innovative solutions or understand the evolving cybersecurity landscape, Threat Vector equips you with the knowledge needed to safeguard your organization.

Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks enables your team to prevent successful cyberattacks with an automated approach that delivers consistent security across the cloud, network, and mobile.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠http://paloaltonetworks.com.⁠

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Hacktivist activity surges in the Middle East. Defense tech firms distance themselves from Claude. International law enforcement take down the Leakbase cybercrime forum. A pair of Cisco SD-WAN vulnerabilities are under active exploitation. Google releases an urgent Chrome security update. Age-verification is put under the microscope. TikTok is leaving end-to-end encryption out of your DMs. Our guest is Daniel Barbu, Director of EMEA Security from Adobe, discussing fostering a human‑centered, enablement‑driven, and collaborative approach to AI. Clever code catches cardiac clues.

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CyberWire Guest

Today on our Industry Voices segment, we are joined by ⁠Daniel Barbu⁠, Director of EMEA Security from ⁠Adobe⁠, discussing how fostering a human‑centered, enablement‑driven, and collaborative approach to AI through the security guild, trainings, and other initiatives. Tune into the full conversation here.

Selected Reading

Retaliatory Hacktivist DDoS Activity Following Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion (Radware)

Threat Brief: March 2026 Escalation of Cyber Risk Related to Iran (Palo Alto Networks)

Unit 42's Iran Threat Brief: What We're Seeing (Threat Vector podcast special edition by Palo Alto Networks)

Defense tech companies are dropping Claude after Pentagon's Anthropic blacklist (NBC)

Sen. Wyden Warns of Mass Surveillance Amid Pentagon's Fight With Anthropic (Gizmodo)

Sprawling FBI, European operation takes down Leakbase cybercriminal forum (The Record)

Cisco Warns of More Catalyst SD-WAN Flaws Exploited in the Wild (SecurityWeek) 

Google Rolls Out Emergency Chrome Update to Patch 10 Critical Security Vulnerabilities (GB Hackers)

Hackers Expose The Massive Surveillance Stack Hiding Inside Your “Age Verification” Check (Techdirt)

TikTok says it won't encrypt DMs claiming it puts users at risk (BBC)

WiFi signals can measure heart rate—no wearables needed - News (UCSC)

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A suspected U.S. exploit kit shows up in global iOS attacks. Facebook goes down briefly worldwide. A critical help-desk flaw enables remote code execution. Juniper PTX routers face a major bug. LastPass warns of phishing. Telegram becomes a cybercrime marketplace. Healthcare groups fight relaxed IT rules. A stolen Gemini API key runs up massive bills. CISA’s CIO departs. Our guest is Brian Long, CEO and Co-Founder of Adaptive Security, discussing how AI is reshaping social engineering. The problem of posthumous profiles. 

CyberWire Guest

Today on our Industry Voices segment we are joined by Brian Long, CEO and Co-Founder of Adaptive Security, discussing how AI is reshaping social engineering. If you want to hear the full conversation, listen to it here.

Selected Reading

Possible U.S.-developed exploits linked to first known ‘mass’ iOS attack (CyberScoop)

Facebook accounts unavailable in worldwide outage (Bleeping Computer)

Critical FreeScout Vulnerability Leads to Full Server Compromise (SecurityWeek)

Juniper PTX Routers at Risk, Critical Takeover Flaw Disclosed (BankInfo Security)

LastPass Warns of New Phishing Campaign (SecurityWeek)

Telegram Increasingly Used to Sell Access, Malware and Stolen Logs Hackread)

Groups Push Back on HHS' Proposed Health IT Rollbacks (BankInfo Security)

Dev stunned by $82K Gemini API key bill after theft (The Register)

CISA CIO Robert Costello exits agency (CyberScoop)

Calls for Global Digital Estate Standard as Posthumous Deepfake Fraud Risk Grows (Infosecurity Magazine)

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GPS jamming hits the Strait of Hormuz. An Iran linked threat actor uses AI to target Iraqi government officials. Hacktivists leak thousands of DHS contract records. A Hawaii cancer center suffers a data breach. Google patches over a hundred Android vulnerabilities. A new report tallies the scale of third party breaches. An MS-Agent AI framework flaw allows full system compromise. On today's Threat Vector segment, Evan Gordenker, Director of AI Security and DPRK Operations at Unit 42, joins David Moulton to unpack North Korea’s hiring scams. Tire tech turns tattletale. 

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CyberWire Guest

North Korea has turned your hiring pipeline into a revenue machine. And most organizations have no idea. Evan Gordenker, Director of AI Security and DPRK Operations at Unit 42, joins David Moulton on today’s Threat Vector segment to unpack how this operation actually works. Listen to their full conversation to get more detail and catch new episodes of Threat Vector every Thursday on your favorite podcast app.

Selected Reading

Attacks on GPS Spike Amid US and Israeli War on Iran (WIRED)

Amazon: Drone strikes damaged AWS data centers in Middle East (Bleeping Computer)

Iranian Cyber Threat Actor Targets Iraqi Government Officials in AI-Powered Campaign (Infosecurity Magazine)

Hacktivists claim to have hacked Homeland Security to release ICE contract data (TechCrunch)

UH Cancer Center data breach affects nearly 1.2 million people (Bleeping Computer)

Android gets patches for Qualcomm zero-day exploited in attacks (Bleeping Computer)

Chrome Gemini panel became privilege escalator for rogue extensions (The Register)

Huge “Shadow Layer” of Organizations Hit by Supply Chain Attacks (Infosecurity Magazine)

Vulnerability in MS-Agent AI Framework Can Allow Full System Compromise (SecurityWeek)

Researchers Uncover Method to Track Cars via Tire Sensors (SecurityWeek)

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Show Notes:

As cybersecurity matures, one area still lags: diversity. In this thought-provoking episode of CISO Perspectives, host Kim Jones takes the mic solo to address a topic that remains both critical and controversial. Kim explores the current state of diversity in the cybersecurity field, why progress has been slow, and how inclusive teams drive greater innovation and resilience. Tune in for an honest conversation that challenges the status quo and pushes the industry forward.

Want more CISO Perspectives?:

Check out a companion ⁠⁠blog post⁠⁠ by our very own Ethan Cook, where he breaks down key insights, shares behind-the-scenes context, and highlights research that complements this episode. It’s the perfect follow-up if you’re curious about the cyber talent crunch and how we can reshape the ecosystem for future professionals.

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Cyberwar shadows the US Israel attack on Iran. Hackers hijack Pakistani news broadcasts. President Trump orders all federal agencies to stop using AI technology from Anthropic. The Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act clears a hurdle. A new RAT streamlines double extortion attacks against Windows systems. CISA updates warnings on a zero-day targeting Ivanti Connect Secure devices. A North Korea-linked group targets air-gapped systems. Monday business breakdown. On our Afternoon Cyber Tea segment from Microsoft Security, host Ann Johnson speaks with Rob Suárez, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, about cybersecurity in healthcare. Tim Starks from CyberScoop has the latest goings on at CISA. Microsoft says the slop stops here. 

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CyberWire Guest

Today we are joined by Tim Starks from CyberScoop as he is discussing ongoing challenges at CISA. If you are interested in this topic, you can learn more here.

Afternoon Cyber Tea

On our Afternoon Cyber Tea segment from Microsoft Security, host Ann Johnson speaks with Rob Suárez, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, about cybersecurity in healthcare. You can hear the full conversation here, and catch new episodes of Afternoon Cyber Tea every other Tuesday on your favorite podcast app.

Selected Reading

US-Israel and Iran Trade Cyberattacks: Pro-West Hacks Cause Disruption as Tehran Retaliates (SecurityWeek)

Western Cybersecurity Experts Brace for Iranian Reprisal (BankInfo Security)

Pakistan’s Top News Channels Hacked and Hijacked With Anti-Military Messages (Hackread)

Anthropic confirms Claude is down in a worldwide outage (Bleeping Computer)

Trump Orders Government to Stop Using Anthropic After Pentagon Standoff (New York Times)

OpenAI Will Deploy AI in US Military Classified Networks (GovInfo Security)

Senate Health Cyber Bill Clears Committee Hurdle (GovInfo Security)

Double whammy: Steaelite RAT bundles data theft, ransomware (The Register)

CISA warns that RESURGE malware can be dormant on Ivanti devices (Bleeping Computer)

North Korean APT Targets Air-Gapped Systems in Recent Campaign (SecurityWeek)

Astelia secures $35 million in combined seed and Series A funding. (N2K Pro Business Briefing)

Microsoft gets tired of “Microslop,” bans the word on its Discord, then locks the server after backlash (Windows Latest)

Share your feedback.

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In the final installment of our three-part series on ⁠Cyber Coalition 2025⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠, host here at N2K CyberWire, and ⁠⁠⁠Liz Stokes, CyberWire Producer, step back from the cyber range to reflect on what their time in Tallinn really meant. This episode moves beyond the mechanics of the exercise and into the broader stakes of collective cyber defense in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical moment.

Recorded two months after their visit, the conversation blends field tape and personal reflections — from standing outside the Russian Embassy in Old Town to recalling the weight inside NATO’s secure facilities. Estonia’s history, including the 2007 cyberattacks, and its visible solidarity with Ukraine underscore just how real and proximate the risks remain.

Be sure to check out the first two episodes of this three part series, you can find them below.

Episode one can be found ⁠here⁠.

Episode two can be found here.

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Please enjoy this encore of Career Notes.

Larry Cashdollar, Principal Security Intelligence Response Engineer at Akamai Technologies, sits down with Dave Bittner to discuss his life leading up to working at Akamai. He shares his story from his beginnings to now, describing what college life was like as a young computer enthusiast. He says "If you look at my 1986 yearbook, I think it was my sixth grade class, it says computer scientist for my career path. So I had a love of computers when I was really young. I guess I knew what field I wanted to get into right off the bat." He describes different career paths that all led him to his current position. He also shares his love for computers and technology through the decades of his youth, and how he is learning, even now. We thank Larry for sharing his story.

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