Latest cybersecurity reporting from selected sources.

Defense of Democracies' Mark Montgomery on Warfare Trends, Geopolitical ThreatsCyber operations now support military strategy rather than just acting alone. Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies warns that as militaries integrate cyber and kinetic action, private sector enterprises are facing greater exposure to geopolitical threats.

Report: China, Russia Exploiting US Cyber Policy Gaps to Gain Strategic AdvantageA new McCrary Institute report urges Washington to adopt a more offensive cyber strategy, warning that the current reactive approach leaves the U.S. unable to counter China and Russia’s persistent campaigns to gain asymmetric leverage in cyberspace.

Czech researcher lays out a business case for reducing reliance on Redmond Comment A sharply argued blog post warns that heavy reliance on Microsoft poses serious strategic risks for organizations – a viewpoint unlikely to win favor with Redmond or its millions of corporate customers.…

Numerous systemic vulnerabilities could scuttle $5.4T industry Despite the escalating cyber threats targeting America's maritime transportation system, the US Coast Guard still lacks a comprehensive strategy to secure this critical infrastructure - nor does it have reliable access to data on cybersecurity vulnerabilities and past attacks, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) warns.…

Microsoft warns that ransomware threat actor Storm-0501 has recently switched tactics and now targets hybrid cloud environments, expanding its strategy to compromise all victim assets. [...]

Report: North Korean, Russian, Chinese, Iranian Actors Are Targeting Research OrgsRussian state hackers are targeting think tanks studying strategic interests and the defense sector, warned the French cyber agency. A hacking group that officially is Unit 26165 of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate appears to be Russia's most prolific targeter of think tanks.

Ground stations are the perfect place for the Great Firewall to block things China finds unpleasant The multiple constellations of broadband-beaming satellites planned by Chinese companies could conceivably run the nation's "Great Firewall" content censorship system, according to think tank The Australian Strategic Policy Institute. And if they do, using the services will be dangerous.…

Our collection of the most relevant reporting and industry perspectives for those guiding cybersecurity strategies and focused on SecOps. Also included: Rockwell's dire ICS warning; a red alert on biometrics; cybersecurity for the Hajj season.

Pentagon Warns Failure to Modernize Defense Industrial Base Will Hinder US GloballyThe Department of Defense released a 60-page strategy that aims to modernize the defense industrial ecosystem and focuses on four long-term strategic priorities: improving supply chain resilience, enhancing workforce readiness, streamlining acquisitions and refining economic deterrence measures.

'Oxygen of Publicity' Helps Intimidate Victims and Recruit Affiliates, Experts WarnSeeking to maximize profits no matter the cost, ransomware groups have been bolstering their technical prowess and psychological shakedowns with a fresh strategy: attempting to control the narrative. Experts are warning security researchers and journalists to beware being co-opted.

Local corporate regulator warns boards that cyber is totally a directorial duty Australia will build "six cyber shields around our nation" declared home affairs minister Clare O'Neill yesterday, as part of a national cyber security strategy.…

Mandiant warns casino raiders are doubling down on 'monetization strategies' Scattered Spider, the crew behind at least one of the recent Las Vegas casino IT security breaches, has already hit some 100 organizations during its so-far brief tenure in the cybercrime scene, according to Mandiant.…

Identity services provider Okta on Friday warned of social engineering attacks orchestrated by threat actors to obtain elevated administrator permissions

As businesses aim to spend more on cybersecurity, Fastly warns that many do so without a clear strategy

Ransomware groups are looking to strike large agriculture cooperatives during strategic seasons, when they are most vulnerable, according to law enforcement.