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The Russian Threat – An OODA Network Webinar

OODA Network Members are invited to participate in our webinar on the Russian Threat scheduled for Tuesday February 19, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. EST.
Here’s What the New U.S. Intelligence Strategy Says About Cyber Threats

The United States intelligence strategy for 2019 has been released, covering seven specific themes. Here’s how the United States Intelligence Community will deal with cyber threats: “Despite growing awareness of cyber threats and improving cyber defenses, nearly all information, communication networks, and systems will be at risk for years to come. Our adversaries are becoming…
Manage Insider Risk and Prevent ‘Big Brother’ Perception, Part 4

This is the final article in a four-part series focused on proactively managing corporate security culture and workforce expectations as your organization prepares to prevent, detect, and respond to insider risk incidents. In Part 3 of this series, I provided four actionable steps for explaining the benefits of insider risk management to your workforce, read more…
The Five Modes of HACKthink

How can you use HACKthinking to solve complex problems or evolve or develop a disruptive solution.
Manage Insider Risk and Prevent ‘Big Brother’ Perception, Part 3

This is the third article in a four-part series focused on proactively managing corporate security culture and workforce expectations as your organization prepares to prevent, detect, and respond to insider risk incidents. In Part 2 of this series, I provided four actionable steps for being straightforward with your workforce about how you plan to establish…
Best Security, Business, and Technology Books of 2018

The top ten books of the year as curated by OODA Loop founder Matt Devost.
Manage Insider Threat Risk and Prevent ‘Big Brother’ Perception, Part 2

This is the second article in a four-part series focused on proactively managing corporate security culture and workforce expectations as your organization prepares to prevent, detect, and respond to insider risk incidents. In Part 1 of this series, GPSG’s insider threat risk team introduced its workforce investment strategy and provided actionable steps for explaining to your…
LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media – An OODA Loop interview with P.W. Singer

An OODA Loop interview with author P.W. Singer on his new book about information operations on social networks.
Manage Insider Threat Risk and Prevent ‘Big Brother’ Perception

This is the first article in a series focused on proactively managing corporate security culture and workforce expectations as your organization prepares to prevent, detect, and respond to insider risk incidents.Your organization faces insider risk every day. The average cost of an incident over a 12-month period is $8.76 million, according to a recent Ponemon…
Software Has Become A National Security Vulnerability

Software and our internetworked computer systems are more complex than ever. Which means to develop countermeasures to these new types of cyberattacks we have to work harder than ever.
Software Ate The World: Now it is both a corporate and national security threat

With every sector of the economy, every element of critical infrastructure and every component of government now dependent on IT and software, clearly software has eaten the world.
How Strong Leadership Propels Winning Companies

10 lessons from one headhunter’s two decades behind the scenes working with hundreds of clients and thousands of senior executives.
Defense Science Board Task Force On Improving Cyber As A Strategic Weapon

The United States is currently years behind its rivals in cyberspace, both conceptually and operationally.
Enhancing the Effectiveness of International Criminal Justice

Domain experts have called into question the effectiveness of the International Criminal Court.
Embracing a Future of Technical and Political Churn

Two things happened last week that will ultimately have a huge impact on almost every American consumer alive today.

Briefs

Israel downing Houthi missile is first instance of space warfare

For the first time ever, Israel was pushed to the ends of the Earth last week. Last Tuesday, it was announced that the Arrow missile defense system shot down a ballistic missile for the first time, in this instance fired at Israel by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The IDF stated that air force systems tracked…
Canon’s Advanced Chip Machines to Cost a Fraction of ASML’s Best

Canon Inc. plans to price its new chipmaking gear at a fraction of the cost of ASML Holding NV’s best lithography machines, seeking to make inroads in the cutting-edge equipment now playing a central role in the US-China tech rivalry. The Tokyo-based company’s new nanoimprint technology would open up a way for smaller semiconductor makers…
Tech giants pour billions into cloud capacity in AI push

Amazon, Microsoft and Google parent Alphabet look set to ramp up capital spending, as the world’s biggest cloud computing groups build up capacity to serve the growth of generative artificial intelligence. The Big Tech groups, which together dominate the global cloud market, have boosted investment in computing infrastructure over the past few years. Capital spending rose…
Robots plus generative AI: Everything you need to know when they work as one

We keep dreaming — albeit they’re most often nightmares — of intelligent robots such as Terminators. However, while robots are now essential for factories and making inroads in the home, no one could mistake them for being intelligent. Roomba cat rides and smart vacuums are fun and useful. Intelligent? Not so much. But since generative…
The Vital Role Of Partnerships In Scaling Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an incredibly powerful business tool, but not many organizations are capable of using it to its full potential. This is particularly true for those who try to go it alone. An effective way of tackling this challenge is to find friendly partners who can help bear the burden. This means other businesses…
Elon Musk debuts ‘Grok’ AI bot to rival ChatGPT, others

Meet Grok, the first technology out of Elon Musk’s new AI company, xAI. Grok, the company said, is modeled on “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” It is supposed to have “a bit of wit,” “a rebellious streak” and it should answer the “spicy questions” that other AI might dodge, according to a Saturday statement…
China Takes Cautious Approach to Diplomacy Over Israel-Gaza War

After the armed group Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel on October 7th, US President Joe Biden quickly condemned Hamas’s attack. His administration later ordered two carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean and readied the deployment of 2,000 troops to deter any other actors from widening the war in the region. Biden, as…
Blinken Makes Unannounced Iraq Trip Amid Israel-Gaza War Spillover Fears

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made a surprise visit to Iraq amid growing fears that the Israel-Hamas war could escalate into a broader regional conflict. He held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Sunday as Washington seeks Baghdad’s help in cracking down on attacks on US forces that it…
Russia Says it Test-Fired Nuclear-Capable Bulava Missile from New Submarine

Russia has said it successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads from one of its submarines. The missile, which the Federation of American Scientists says is designed to carry as many as six nuclear warheads, was launched from an underwater position in the White Sea off Russia’s northern coast and hit…
The US is Quietly Arming Taiwan to the Teeth

When US President Joe Biden recently signed off on a $80m (£64.6m) grant to Taiwan for the purchase of American military equipment, China said it “deplores and opposes” what Washington had done. While fury is Beijing’s default response to any military support for Taiwan, this time something was different. This money came from American taxpayers.…
Security Agency Publishes Post-Quantum Guidance for Firms

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has released more information designed to help organizations migrate their systems to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Quantum computing promises to open the door to boundless innovation, but also the threat of effectively breaking public key cryptography (PKC); specifically, the algorithms used for key establishment and digital signatures, the agency…
Iranian APT Targets Israeli Education, Tech Sectors With New Wipers

Since January 2023, an Iranian advanced persistent threat (APT) actor has been targeting higher education and technology organizations in Israel with wipers, cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks reports. The APT has been active since at least 2020 and is believed to be sponsored by the Iranian government. The threat actor has been launching espionage and…
Exploring the Global Shift Towards AI-Specific Legislation

Sarah Pearce, a Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth, has offered insights into the evolving landscape of AI legislation and its global impact. Pearce explores key principles, public participation, the future of AI laws in a world of rapid technological advancements, and how to balance fostering innovation and ensuring effective regulation. There is evidence of a…
North Korean Hackers Use New ‘KandyKorn’ macOS Malware in Attacks

Security researchers warn that the North Korean hacking group Lazarus has used new macOS and Windows malware in recent attacks. These recent attacks are a multi-stage process involving various evasion techniques and loaders. At the end of these attacks, a new macOS malware named KandyKorn is executed on the target machine, allowing the attackers to…
AI and IoT Integration: Synergy for the Future

In this ever-changing world of technology, 2023 has been the year we have witnessed significant changes in the business world. Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things are the two most prominent technology that has helped me and many businesses around the world to innovate. In this read, I will be sharing my perspective on…
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried convicted of defrauding cryptocurrency customers

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s spectacular rise and fall in the cryptocurrency industry — a journey that included his testimony before Congress, a Super Bowl advertisement and dreams of a future run for president — hit rock bottom Thursday when a New York jury convicted him of fraud for stealing at least $10 billion from customers…
China to build humanoid robots by 2025

China has unveiled plans to build humanoid robots that can work in farms, factories and houses within two years. Beijing’s ministry of industry and information technology has laid out plans to support bipedal robots by funding a series of breakthroughs. The ambition represents a new technological challenge to the US, where companies like Boston Dynamics…
Regulatory hold up keeps Varda spacecraft stuck in orbit

There’s a small spacecraft zipping around Earth right now, but, unlike most satellites in orbit, it wants to come down. The only catch is that, so far, it’s not allowed to. Last month’s Senate hearing on space regulations highlighted the challenge authorities face in regulating this industry, balancing safety while innovative technologies butt up against established…
Elon Musk’s Artificial Intelligence Startup Launching Its First Product Saturday

Elon Musk’s long-teased artificial intelligence company will release its first product on Saturday, the billionaire announced on Friday, while offering few details on what the model will do—as companies compete for a slice of the growing market and tech leaders set out their visions for AI and the future of the transformative technology. xAI will…
Spy Module Discovered in WhatsApp Mods

There are several popular mods found to contain a spy module identified as Trojan-Spy.AndroidOS.CanesSpy in WhatsApp. According to an advisory published by the security experts, the spy module functions by utilizing suspicious components in the trojanized client manifest, including a service and a broadcast receiver that are not present in the official WhatsApp client. The…
Microsoft Launches New Initiative to Augment Security

Microsoft is launching the Secure Future Initiative, to boost the overall security of Microsoft’s products and its customers and users. This initiative was prompted by the 200% increase in ransomware attempts since 2022. As part of it, Microsoft is extending AI capabilities to help customers extract threat intelligence from their own data and respond to…
G7 Countries Establish Voluntary AI Code of Conduct

The Group of Seven countries, the U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.S., as well as the European Union, have created a voluntary AI code of conduct, released on October 30, regarding the use of advanced artificial intelligence. This code of conduct called “Hiroshima Process International Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced…
Delhi air pollution: Schools shut as air quality turns severe

Air pollution in Delhi has reached severe levels, prompting authorities to shut all primary schools for two days. The city’s air quality typically deteriorates in the winter due to factors like crop burning by farmers, low wind speeds, and the bursting of firecrackers. The peak of air pollution occurs from 1-15 November when crop burning…
Germany: Illegal migration rise prompts border crackdown

Germany is grappling with an increase in irregular migration, particularly in rural border areas like Altenberg in Saxony. Here, people smugglers are frequently dropping off individuals seeking illegal entry into the country. This surge of new arrivals is straining local services and raising concerns, as the far-right appears to be gaining ground by exploiting the…
Pablo Escobar’s feral hippos face cull in Colombia

Colombia is facing a challenge involving a population of hippos that are descendants of animals originally owned by the infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar. After his death in 1993, the hippos were left to roam, and over the years, their numbers have grown to over 100 individuals. Their uncontrolled reproduction poses a threat to humans…
Tuscany storm and floods ravage central Italy leaving six dead

Tuscany, Italy, experienced severe flooding and landslides as heavy rains hit the region due to Storm Ciarán, leaving at least six people dead and several others missing. The River Bisenzio burst its banks, causing extensive damage in several towns, including Livorno, Prato, and Montemurlo. Cars were swept away, hospitals were flooded, and people were trapped…
Onyx Protocol Victim of $2 Million Exploit

According to blockchain analytic company PeckShield, the decentralized finance (DeFi) project Onyx protocol has lost $2 million worth of Ethereum (ETH) to exploiters. PeckShield informed community members about an exploit worth $2.1 million. Furthermore, the wallet address of the Onyx protocol exploiter has a balance of 1,164 ETH (approx $2.1 million). The hackers swapped some…
U.S. Marines Test Robot Dog Armed With A Rocket Launcher

Marines with the Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group recently conducted a proof-of-concept test of a quadruped robot firing an M72 rocket launcher, according to a Marine Corps news release. Last year a St Petersburg company offered a rocket-armed robot dog to the Russian military; this appears to be based on the same robot used…
Microsoft is overhauling its software security after major Azure cloud attacks

Microsoft has had a rough few years of cybersecurity incidents. It found itself at the center of the SolarWinds attack nearly three years ago, one of the most sophisticated cybersecurity attacks we’ve ever seen. Then, 30,000 organizations’ email servers were hacked in 2021 thanks to a Microsoft Exchange Server flaw. If that weren’t enough already,…
Space Force awards $2.5 billion in rocket contracts to SpaceX and ULA for 21 launches

The U.S. Space Force assigned 21 rocket launches to SpaceX and United Launch Alliance, worth about $2.5 billion in total, the military branch told CNBC. Space Force’s Space Systems Command on Tuesday announced the mission assignments, which represent the last round of orders under a multiyear program called National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2.…
CIOs sharpen cloud cost strategies — just as gen AI spikes loom

Experience, best practices, and better tools are helping IT leaders get savvier about cloud economics. But emerging technologies such as generative AI and the drive to innovate will perennially complicate the equation. Cloud costs remain a key concern for IT leaders, who find themselves nearing a crossroads where expenditures for core workloads will need containment to…
How is Israel’s military using AI in Gaza strikes?

The fog of war has thickened in Gaza, a ground invasion is gathering steam, and aerial bombardments continue at a furious pace. On Tuesday, missiles struck a refugee camp in Jabaliya, where the Israel Defense Forces said a senior Hamas leader was stationed, killing dozens of civilians. Debate over the crisis rages online and off, yet…
AP News Site Hit by Apparent Denial-of-Service Attack

The Associated Press news website experienced various outages on Tuesday afternoon that were likely caused by a denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. The home page would load, but users could not access links to individual stories. AP news noted that the hacktivist group Anonymous Sudan stated on its Telegram channel Tuesday that it would conduct attacks on…
Russian drone hits oil refinery, frontline attacks repelled – Ukraine military

A Russian drone detonated at the Kremenchuk oil refinery in central Ukraine, cutting off power to three villages in the region. The attack was accompanied by a notable increase in Russian attacks on the frontline in Ukraine’s east and northeast. Ukraine’s Air Force said its defenses eliminated 18 of 20 drones, as well as one…
Diplomacy to pause fighting and ease siege intensifies as Israeli ground troops advance on Gaza city

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden suggested a humanitarian pause to Israel’s ongoing ground offensive in the northern end of Gaza. The agreement was reached alongside Egypt and Qatar, which both mediate with Hamas. Israel did not respond to Biden’s calls for a temporary cessation of violence, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously…
Israel deploys missile boats in Red Sea as Houthis attack from Yemen

The Israeli military deployed missile boats to the Red Sea on Wednesday. The reinforcements mobilized after Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen launched missile and drone attacks at Israel on Tuesday. The Israeli military shared images of its Saar-class corvettes operating near its Eilat port shortly after the announcement. Israel will likely continue to expand security…
Mozi Botnet Likely Killed by Its Creators

ESET cybersecurity researchers determined that Mozi operators shut down their own botnet in August. According to Chinese cybersecurity firm Qihoo 360, the Mozi botnet launched in 2019 and expanded to over 1.5 million infected nodes in 2021, primarily infecting systems in China and India. Qihoo 360 helped Chinese authorities arrest Mozi’s developers in 2021, but…
Iranian Cyber Spies Use ‘LionTail’ Malware in Latest Attacks

Scarred Manticore, an Iranian nation-state threat actor with possible connections to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security, recently used a new ‘LionTail’ malware framework to attack various organizations in the Middle East. The threat actor targeted numerous government and critical infrastructure organizations in Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Check Point…
Lula militarizes Brazil’s main ports, airports amid rising crime

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva deployed military security forces to Brazil’s main ports and airports on Wednesday in response to rising crime in Rio de Janeiro state. Gang members recently set 35 buses on fire in Rio after a police operation killed a local crime boss. Gang members also murdered three doctors in…
North Korean Hackers Targeting Crypto Experts with KANDYKORN MacOS Malware

Elastic Security Labs researchers recently observed state-sponsored threat actors from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) targeting blockchain engineers of an unspecified crypto exchange platform. The operation’s TTPs align with previous Lazarus Group activity. Unlike previous Lazarus Group macOS malware attacks, this operation employed social engineering tactics on a public Discord server to trick…
WeWork Plans to File for Bankruptcy as Early as Next Week

Shares in the troubled office-sharing firm WeWork plunged on Wednesday, following reports it could file for bankruptcy as early as next week. Its shares fell by more than 50% in early trade in New York. The firm was once seen as the future of the office. But it has been plagued by problems, including a disastrous attempt…
From Debt To Agility: AI-Enabled Supply Chain

Can artificial intelligence (AI) make supply chains more agile? The short answer is yes. For a fuller explanation, let’s first consider where supply chains stand today. With deep roots in supply chain, I’ve been through many cycles of innovation, deployment and inertia. These 25-plus years of entrepreneurial, management consultant, and operational and IT experience have…
Why Nvidia is teaching robots to twirl pens and how generative AI is helping

The field of robotics, a classic application of artificial intelligence, has recently been amplified by the very new and fashionable technology of generative AI, programs such as large language models from OpenAI that can interact with natural language statements. For example, Google’s DeepMind unit this year unveiled RT-2, a large language model that can be…
U.S. Space Force chief urges universal rules to keep China in check

When a Chinese fighter plane came within 10 feet of a U.S. B-52 bomber over the South China Sea last week, the U.S. military swiftly condemned the “unsafe and unprofessional” intercept. But when it comes to China’s space operation, Washington first wants to see universal safety rules put in place. Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space…
US, China and 26 other nations agree to co-operate over AI development

Twenty-eight countries including the US, UK and China have agreed to work together to ensure artificial intelligence is used in a “human-centric, trustworthy and responsible” way, in the first global commitment of its kind. The pledge forms part of a communique signed by major powers including Brazil, India and Saudi Arabia, at the inaugural AI…
Macron visits Kazakhstan on strategic tour of Central Asia

French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Central Asia, including meetings with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is part of his efforts to strengthen ties in a region where Russia and China have strong influence. During the visit, several agreements were signed, covering critical minerals for clean energy technologies, pharmaceuticals, and aerospace. France is the fifth-largest foreign…
NR Narayana Murthy: Why Indians are debating a 70-hour work week

The debate on the ideal number of working hours per week has been reignited in India after software billionaire NR Narayana Murthy suggested that young people should be prepared to work 70 hours a week for the country’s development. His comments received mixed reactions on social media, with some criticizing the potential impact on work-life…
Ukraine war: Russian attacks force evacuations of children

The conflict in Ukraine has led to the forced evacuation of children and families from towns and villages near the frontlines. Russia’s renewed offensives in parts of the Donetsk region and escalating fighting in the Kherson region have made conditions too dangerous for residents. Last week, orders were issued to evacuate these areas, bringing more…
Afghan refugees forced to leave Pakistan say they have nothing

Pakistan has initiated a nationwide crackdown on foreign nationals it claims are in the country illegally, leading to the arrest of Afghans as the country enforces its deportation policy. Thousands of Afghans who have lived in Pakistan for decades have returned to Afghanistan over the past two months, fearing the Taliban government and the enforcement…
SIEM and Log Management Provider Graylog Raises $39 Million

Graylog, a provider of security information and event management (SIEM) and log management solutions, has raised $39 million in funding, bringing the total investment in the company to $66.5 million. The funding round was led by Harbert Growth Partners, Piper Sandler Merchant Banking, and Silver Lake Waterman. Graylog offers a centralized log management solution that…
Cutting-Edge AI Raises Fears About Risks to Humanity. Are Tech and Political Leaders Doing Enough?

Frontier AI has become the latest buzzword as concerns grow that the emerging technology has capabilities that could endanger humanity. Frontier AI is shorthand for the latest and most powerful AI systems. These systems are based on foundation models, which are algorithms trained on a broad range of information from the internet. That makes frontier…
Chrome 119 Patches 15 Vulnerabilities

Google has released Chrome 119 to the stable channel with patches for 15 vulnerabilities, including three “high” severity bugs. Among the 13 issues reported by external researchers, the company paid $16,000 for the first flaw and $11,000 for the second but hasn’t yet determined the amount to be awarded for the third issue. In total,…
Mass Exploitation of ‘Citrix Bleed’ Vulnerability Underway

Kansas officials are grappling with a massive computer outage that has left most of the state’s courts offline for two weeks. The outage is suspected to be a ransomware attack, given the characteristics of the disruption, with analysts noting the rising frequency of attacks on state, city, or municipal court systems. In Kansas, the first…
What the White House executive order on AI means for cybersecurity leaders

Artificial intelligence continues to snare the technological limelight and, rightly so as we move well into the final quarter of 2023, there is wide international interest in harnessing the power of AI. But with the excitement and anticipation come some appropriate notes of caution from governments around the world, concerned that all of AI’s promise…
Shield AI raises $200M at a $2.7B valuation to scale military autonomous flying tech

Shield AI has raised $200 million in new funding as it looks to scale its autonomous flying systems for the U.S. military and its allies. The startup, which was founded in 2015, is now valued at $2.7 billion. This latest round was co-led by U.S. Innovation Technology Fund (USIT) and Riot Ventures, both prior investors in…
Amazon has new AI-powered robots. Labor leader Chris Smalls say unions could protect workers

In recent weeks, Amazon announced that its warehouses are starting to adopt new robotic arms and sorting machines fueled by artificial intelligence, starting with a fulfillment center in Houston. The retail giant says the new tech will help address safety issues for its workers, but its main objective is to boost productivity and shorten delivery…
International Space Station at risk of falling on Earth, NASA warns

The American space agency NASA is brainstorming ways to safely retrieve the International Space Station (ISS), a mission that looks trickier than it seems. NASA is taking this matter extremely seriously, because if gone wrong it can be a catastrophe on Earth. At a briefing on Thursday, the space agency’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP)…
Big Tech is lying about AI’s risk to humanity: Google Brain cofounder

A leading AI expert and Google Brain cofounder said Big Tech companies were stoking fears about the technology’s risks to shut down competition. Google Brain was a deep-learning AI research team that merged with the DeepMind division earlier this year. Andrew Ng, an adjunct professor at Stanford University who taught OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, told…
White House Executive Order on AI Provides Guidelines for AI Privacy and Safety

On October 30, U.S. President Joe Biden released an executive order on the regulation and use of AI. The executive order has wide-ranging guidance on maintaining safety, civil rights and privacy in government agencies while promoting AI innovation and competition throughout the U.S. The order doesn’t specify artificial intelligence, but it was likely raised in…
Boeing Breached by Ransomware, LockBit Gang Claims

A prolific ransomware threat group LockBit claims that it breached Boeing and will begin to release sensitive data it stole from the company’s systems by Nov 2 if ransom demands are not met. The threat group posted the comment on its leak site and included a countdown to the deadline. A Boeing spokesperson said that…