U.S. weighs cyberwarfare options, DeadLock uses smart contracts to hide work, China says stop using US and Israeli cybersecurity software

U.S. weighs private companies' cyberwarfare roles China: stop using US and Israeli cybersecurity software DeadLock uses smart contracts to hide work Thanks to our episode sponsor, ThreatLocker Want real Zero Trust training? Zero Trust World 2026 delivers hands-on labs and workshops that show CISOs exactly how to implement and maintain Zero Trust in real environments. Join us March 4–6 in Orlando, plus a live CISO Series episode on March 6. Get $200 off with ZTWCISO26 at ztw.com.  

GoBruteforcer targets blockchain projects Android accessibility issue just a bug Verizon to stop automatic phone unlocks Thanks to our episode sponsor, ThreatLocker Want real Zero Trust training? Zero Trust World 2026 delivers hands-on labs and workshops that show CISOs exactly how to implement and maintain Zero Trust in real environments. Join us March 4–6 in Orlando, plus a live CISO Series episode on March 6. Get $200 off with ZTWCISO26 at ztw.com.  

Instagram denies breach post-data leak Sweden detains consultant suspected of spying n8n supply chain attack steals OAuth tokens Thanks to our episode sponsor, ThreatLocker Want real Zero Trust training? Zero Trust World 2026 delivers hands-on labs and workshops that show CISOs exactly how to implement and maintain Zero Trust in real environments. Join us March 4–6 in Orlando, plus a live CISO Series episode on March 6. Get $200 off with ZTWCISO26 at ztw.com.  

Link to episode page This week's Department of Know is hosted by Rich Stroffolino with guests Johna Till Johnson, CEO and Founder, Nemertes (check out the Nemertes substack) and Jason Shockey, CISO, Cenlar FSB. Jason will be speaking at MBA Servicing Solution26 in Texas in late February. Details here. Thanks to our show sponsor, ThreatLocker Want real Zero Trust training? Zero Trust World 2026 delivers hands-on labs and workshops that show CISOs exactly how to implement and maintain Zero Trust in real environments. Join us March 4–6 in Orlando, plus a live CISO Series episode on March 6. Get $200 off with ZTWCISO26 at ztw.com. All links and the video of this episode can be found on CISO Series.com 

BreachForums hacking forum database leaked exposing 324,000 accounts Instagram breach exposes user data, creates password reset panic UK government exempts self from flagship cyber law Thanks to our episode sponsor, ThreatLocker Want real Zero Trust training? Zero Trust World 2026 delivers hands-on labs and workshops that show CISOs exactly how to implement and maintain Zero Trust in real environments. Join us March 4–6 in Orlando, plus a live CISO Series episode on March 6. Get $200 off with ZTWCISO26 at ztw.com. Find the stories behind the headlines at CISOseries.com.    

Microsoft to enforce MFA for Microsoft 365 admin center sign-ins Cisco patches ISE security vulnerability after PoC release Illinois state agency breaches itself Huge thanks to our sponsor, Hoxhunt A small tip for CISOs: if you're unsure whether your security training is actually reducing phishing risk, check out what Qualcomm achieved with Hoxhunt. They took their 1,000 highest-risk users from consistent under-performers to outperforming the rest of the company, driving measurable human risk reduction and earning a CSO50 Award. See the Qualcomm case at hoxhunt.com/qualcomm Find the stories behind the headlines at CISOseries.com.

ESA confirms new data heist Ni8mare lets hackers hijack n8n servers Taiwan blames 'cyber army' for intrusion attempts Huge thanks to our sponsor, Hoxhunt Traditional security training fails because it treats employees like the problem. Hoxhunt treats them like the solution. AI-powered simulations mirror actual attacks hitting your inbox. Instant coaching turns mistakes into learning moments. Gamified rewards make security engaging. The result? Real behavior change that measurably reduces your risk. Thousands of companies trust Hoxhunt to transform human vulnerability into human defense. Visit hoxhunt.com/cisoseries to learn more.

The UK hits reset on cybersecurity No MFA, Know Problems US may have coordinated cyberattacks with Maduro's arrest Huge thanks to our sponsor, Hoxhunt A small tip for CISOs: if you're unsure whether your security training is actually reducing phishing risk, check out what Qualcomm achieved with Hoxhunt. They took their 1,000 highest-risk users from consistent under-performers to outperforming the rest of the company, driving measurable human risk reduction and earning a CSO50 Award. See the Qualcomm case at hoxhunt.com/qualcomm

European hospitality blue screen of death Brightspeed investigates breach Convicted Bitfinex launderer freed Huge thanks to our sponsor, Hoxhunt Traditional security training fails because it treats employees like the problem. Hoxhunt treats them like the solution. AI-powered simulations mirror actual attacks hitting your inbox. Instant coaching turns mistakes into learning moments. Gamified rewards make security engaging. The result? Real behavior change that measurably reduces your risk. Thousands of companies trust Hoxhunt to transform human vulnerability into human defense. Visit hoxhunt.com/cisoseries to learn more.

Link to episode page This week's Department of Know is hosted by Rich Stroffolino with guests Peter Clay, CISO, Aireon, and Chris Ray, Field CTO, GigaOm Thanks to our show sponsor, HoxHunt A small tip for CISOs: if you're unsure whether your security training is actually reducing phishing risk, check out what Qualcomm achieved with Hoxhunt. They took their 1,000 highest-risk users from consistent under-performers to outperforming the rest of the company, driving measurable human risk reduction and earning a CSO50 Award. See the Qualcomm case at hoxhunt.com/qualcomm All links and the video of this episode can be found on CISO Series.com