From the CloudCast Studios at Skyhigh Security, I’m your host Scott Schlee and these are your Cybersecurity Headlines for the week of Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Thank you for listening to Skyhigh CloudCast. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform so you never miss an update. If you like the show, please leave us a review. It helps others find the podcast. For more information about Skyhigh Security or CloudCast, please visit skyhighsecurity.com.
CloudCast is hosted by Skyhigh Security’s very own Digital Experience Manager, Scott Schlee. Scott’s engaging demeanor and wit, backed by over 20 years in digital media production and web development, has led to successful collaborations with top-tier brands. His experience includes hosting and producing a wide range of podcasts and videos. Scott has been recognized for his outstanding work, including an award-winning digital short and a Webby Awards nomination for Viral Marketing (Branded). Beyond his professional achievements, Scott’s personal journey as a decade-long pancreatic cancer survivor has led him to share his story with the U.S. Congress and other organizations as an advocate for increased cancer research funding.
Transcript
It’s September 10th, 2024, and you’re listening to Skyhigh CloudCast. I’m your host, Scott Schlee, and these are your cybersecurity headlines.
Overall increase in malware attacks being reported. Several cybersecurity firms have reported an increase in malware attacks across various sectors. There’s been a significant increase in malware attacks globally with various regions experiencing sharp rises. In 2022, Europe, Latin America, and Asia recorded malware attack increases of 10%, 17%, and 38% respectively. While ransomware attacks involving public extortion saw a 13% year-over-year increase in Q2 2024, totaling about 1,200 incidents. This upward trend underscores the growing threat landscape and the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Attacks linked to NATO and EU cyber-attacks. German intelligence has linked a series of cyber-attacks on NATO and EU organizations to Russia’s GRU, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions in cyberspace.
A Wisconsin insurer discloses major data breach. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation, WPS, has disclosed a major data breach affecting 950,000 individuals. The breach occurred due to the Move It hack last year, which resulted in the theft of personal information such as names, social security numbers, and medical data. This incident underscores the ongoing risks associated with cyber threats targeting sensitive data in the insurance sector.
Leaked Disney data reveals financial and strategy secrets. The leaked Disney data reveals detailed financial and strategic information about the company, including revenue figures for Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, and specific pricing strategies for Disney’s theme parks. The data provides insights into Disney’s business performance and internal strategies that are typically kept confidential.
Russia’s RT seeking to push U.S. voters toward Trump, U.S. intelligence officials say. Russian state media outlet RT is actively attempting to influence U.S. voters to support Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. U.S. intelligence officials report that RT is using American and international personalities to promote content that favors Trump, reflecting a broader strategy by Russia to sway the election in favor of the Republican candidate.
Russian hackers exploit U.S. government contractors. Russian state-sponsored hackers have breached multiple US defense contractors to gather sensitive information on the development and deployment of American weapons systems. The attacks, which began in early 2020 and continued through 2022, involved leveraging access to contractor networks to collect intelligence. These breaches have exposed critical supply chain vulnerabilities within US Defense infrastructure, enhanced cybersecurity measures and contractor operations.
Australian government tightened cybersecurity regulations. In response to rising threats, the Australian government has introduced stricter cybersecurity regulations, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data.
And in education news, the US government is removing four-year degree requirements for federal cyber jobs. The U.S. government is removing the four-year degree requirements for many federal cybersecurity positions to attract a wider range of talent and address the critical need for cybersecurity professionals. This initiative, part of a broader shift towards skills-based hiring, aims to provide more opportunities for individuals with practical experience and certifications rather than traditional educational backgrounds. The move is expected to boost the federal cyber workforce by making it easier to hire qualified candidates who possess relevant skills but may lack a formal degree.
And those are your headlines for the week. Thank you again for listening to Skyhigh CloudCast. If you’ve enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform so you never miss an update. If you like the show, please leave us a review. It helps others find the podcast.
For more information about Skyhigh Security or CloudCast, please visit SkyhighSecurity.com.
Please Note: All transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and human transcription, and may contain errors. Please check the corresponding audio before quoting in print.
