Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office

GAO: SolarWinds, Exchange Hacks Reveal Info-Sharing Gaps

Dan Gunderman • January 17, 2022

GAO auditors say in a new report that the federal government's response to both the SolarWinds software supply chain attack and the exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Servers in 2021 sharpened its coordination efforts, but also exposed information-sharing gaps.

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

CISA: Federal Response to Log4j Has Been 'Exceptional'

Latest

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Privacy Fines: GDPR Sanctions in 2021 Exceeded $1 Billion

Mathew J. Schwartz • January 18, 2022

Privacy regulators in Europe last year imposed known fines totaling more than $1.2 billion under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, including two record-breaking sanctions, law firm DLA Piper finds. The total value of fines in 2021 was nearly a sevenfold increase from that seen in 2020.

Fraud Management & Cybercrime

NSO Group Spyware Reportedly Used by Israeli Police Force

Dan Gunderman • January 18, 2022

Spyware from controversial Israeli firm NSO Group was reportedly used by the nation's civilian police force, according to a new report from an Israeli business publication. Its findings allege that the Israel Police conducted warrantless phone taps on Israeli politicians and activists, among others.

Cyberwarfare / Nation-State Attacks

New Chinese Threat Group Deals in Espionage and Theft

Mihir Bagwe • January 18, 2022

A new threat group linked to China, dubbed "Earth Lusca" by researchers, is not only running cyberespionage campaigns against governments around the globe but also seeking financial gain.

Cyberwarfare / Nation-State Attacks

EU's Cyber Rapid Response Team on Standby for Ukraine

Prajeet Nair • January 18, 2022

After the defacement of multiple Ukrainian government websites last week and subsequent deployment of destructive malware against Ukraine over the weekend, Lithuanian officials have offered to deploy the EU's Cyber Rapid Response Team to help Ukraine deal with cyberattacks.

Business Email Compromise (BEC)

How 'The Great Resignation' Is Affecting Cybersecurity

Anna Delaney • January 18, 2022

People are leaving their jobs in droves during "The Great Resignation," and the cybersecurity industry is not immune to the trend. Mike Hamilton, the former CISO for the city of Seattle, warns organizations about the opportunities this presents for cybercriminals and outlines how employers can work to retain talent....

Application Security

Destructive Malware Discovered Targeting Ukrainian Systems

Mathew J. Schwartz • January 17, 2022

The defacement of Ukrainian government websites may have been intended as a smokescreen for a destructive malware attack that failed to execute or has yet to be unleashed, some security experts warn. Ukraine continues to investigate the attack, which it suggests may trace to Russia, Belarus or both.

Cybercrime

Russia Charges 8 REvil Ransomware Suspects After Raids

Mathew J. Schwartz • January 17, 2022

Russian authorities have charged eight individuals with crimes tied to the REvil ransomware operation, after raiding 25 properties and detaining 14 suspects, thanks in part to U.S.-shared intelligence. The White House says one of the suspects was also responsible for last year's attack on Colonial Pipeline.

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

OCC Chief Calls for Collaboration in Crypto Regulations

Devon Warren-Kachelein • January 15, 2022

With 16% of U.S. citizens using a cryptocurrency trading platform, OCC acting Chief Michael Hsu urges collaborative efforts to pass cryptocurrency regulations, which he says could lead to greater innovation in the space.

Governance & Risk Management

FCC Proposes Stricter Telecom Breach Notification Measures

Dan Gunderman • January 14, 2022

The FCC is considering changes to its breach notification requirements for telecommunication companies. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel confirmed in a statement this week that the agency is strengthening its rules for both customer and federal law enforcement notification of breaches involving customer proprietary...

Application Security

ISMG Editors: Is 2022 the Year of the SBOM?

Anna Delaney • January 14, 2022

In the latest weekly update, four editors at Information Security Media Group discuss important cybersecurity issues, including the importance of incident repose planning; the worldwide impact of the LOg4j flaw, which may lead to 2022 being the year of the SBOM; and the increasingly blurred line between conventional...

Business Continuity Management / Disaster Recovery

Ukrainian Websites Defaced as Tensions With Russia Continue

Mathew J. Schwartz • January 14, 2022

Multiple government sites in Ukraine, as well as Swedish, U.K. and U.S. embassy websites, have been defaced with warnings to "be afraid and expect the worst." The defacements occurred after a week of "intensive" but unresolved talks between NATO and Russia, which continues to mass troops on Ukraine's border.

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

North Korean APTs Target Cryptocurrency Startups

Devon Warren-Kachelein • January 14, 2022

A new Lazarus-linked APT threat known as BlueNoroff has emerged and is actively targeting cryptocurrency startups in a campaign called "SnatchCrypto." Research by Kaspersky found that more than 15 venture businesses and their employees have fallen victim to the nation-state threat actors.