Weekly Security Sprint EP 125. Hostile Events, AI driven Ransomware, and more!

In this week's Security Sprint, Dave and Andy covered the following topics:Warm Open:• Patch It or Pay: Closing the Door on Exploits. This blog is part of Gate 15’s Summer of Security: Ransomware Resilience Series, highlighting the essential considerations for organizational leaders and cybersecurity professionals.Main Topics:• House panel approves cyber information sharing, grant legislation as expiration deadlines loom• CISA Delays Cyber Incident Reporting Rule for Critical InfrastructureRansomware & Data Breaches: • Australian Government - Australian Institute of Criminology: Examining the activities and careers of ransomware criminal groups. PDF • Stopping ransomware before it starts: Lessons from Cisco Talos Incident Response• Cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover threatens to hit British economic growth• Hackers linked to M&S breach claim responsibility for Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack • How JLR's Cyber Breach is Disrupting Global Operations • Jaguar Land Rover staff home for another day as company reels from cyber attackPresidential Message on National Preparedness Month• National Insider Threat Awareness Month; Help prevent the exploitation of authorized access from causing harm to your organization• Plan to avoid scams this National Preparedness Month• ABA Foundation and FBI Release New Infographic to Help Americans Spot and Avoid Deepfake ScamsQuick Hits:• All IT work to involve AI by 2030, says Gartner, but jobs are safe. All work in IT departments will be done with the help of AI by 2030, according to analyst firm Gartner, which thinks massive job losses won’t result.• Salesloft Drift updates• Not Safe for Work: Tracking and Investigating Stealerium and Phantom Infostealers• Over 6,700 Private Repositories Made Public in Nx Supply Chain Attack• Frostbyte10 flaws in Copeland E2 and E3 controllers highlight cyber threats to refrigeration, HVAC, lighting infrastructure• Czech NUKIB alerts critical infrastructure sector to rising cyber risks from Chinese data transfers, remote management• ‘Unrestrained’ Chinese Cyberattackers May Have Stolen Data From Almost Every American• Chinese Hackers Impersonate US Lawmaker in Malware Scheme During Trade Talks• US military kills 11 in strike on alleged drug boat tied to Venezuelan cartel, Trump says• Targeting Iran’s Leaders, Israel Found a Weak Link: Their Bodyguards• U.S. and Canadian Intelligence Partners Issue Guidance to Protect Western Tech Startups from Exploitation in International Pitch Competitions • The Blockchain Is Not Your Friend: Examining EtherHiding and using Blockchain for Attacks• New Cyber Resources from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security: Cyber security hygiene best practices for your organization - ITSAP.10.102o Virtualizing your infrastructure (ITSAP.70.011)o Universal plug and play (ITSAP.00.008)

In this week's Security Sprint, Dave and Andy covered the following topics:Main Topics:Annunciation Catholic Church Attack • Minneapolis Suspect Knew Her Target, but Motive Is a Mystery• Shooter who opened fire on Minneapolis Catholic school posted rambling videos• Robin Westman: Minneapolis gunman was son of church employee• Robin Westman posted a manifesto on YouTube prior to Annunciation Church shooting• Minneapolis school shooter wrote “I am terrorist” and “Kill yourself” in Russian on weapon magazines and listened to Russian rappers• Minneapolis Catholic Church shooter mocked Christ in video before attack• Minneapolis school shooter 'obsessed with idea of killing children', authorities say• Minnesota Mass Shooter Steeped in Far-Right Lore, White Nationalist Murderers• In Secret Diaries, the Church Shooter’s Plans for Mass Murder• Minneapolis church shooting search warrants reveal new details and evidence• 'There is no message': The search for ideological motives in the Minneapolis shooting• Minneapolis Church Shooting: Understanding the Suspect’s Video• More Of Minnesota Shooter’s Writings Uncovered: ‘Gender And Weed F***ed Up My Head’• Classmates say Minnesota school shooter gave Nazi salutes and idolized school shootings back in middle schoolHoax Active Shooter Reports• More than a dozen universities have been targeted by false active shooter reports• This Is the Group That's Been Swatting US Universities• FBI urges students to be vigilant amid wave of swatting hoaxesAI & Cyber Threats • The Era of AI-Generated Ransomware Has Arrived• Researchers flag code that uses AI systems to carry out ransomware attacks & First known AI-powered ransomware uncovered by ESET Research • Anthropic: Detecting and countering misuse of AI: August 2025• A quick look at sextortion at scale: 1,900 messages and 205 Bitcoin addresses spanning four yearsCountering Chinese State-Sponsored Actors Compromise of Networks Worldwide to Feed Global Espionage System• FBI warns Chinese hacking campaign has expanded, reaching 80 countries• Allied spy agencies blame 3 Chinese tech companies for Salt Typhoon attacks• UK NCSC: UK and allies expose China-based technology companies for enabling global cyber campaign against critical networksQuick Hits:• Storm-0501’s evolving techniques lead to cloud-based ransomware • Why Hypervisors Are the New-ish Ransomware Target• FBI Releases Use-of-Force Data Update• Denmark summons US envoy over report on covert American ‘influence operations’ in Greenland• Falsos Amigos• Surge in coordinated scans targets Microsoft RDP auth servers• Vulnerabilities impacting Citrix NetScaler ADC and NetScaler Gateway - CVE-2025-7775, CVE-2025-7776 and CVE-2025-8424• Citrix patches trio of NetScaler bugs – after attackers beat them to it• U.S., Japan, and ROK Join Mandiant to Counter North Korean IT Worker Threats• US sanctions fraud network used by North Korean ‘remote IT workers’ to seek jobs and steal money• H1 2025 Malware and Vulnerability Trends • The FDA just overhauled its COVID vaccine guidance. Here’s what it means for you• 25 August 2025 NCSC, AFOSI, ACIC, NCIS, DCSA, FBI, ED, NIST, NSF bulletin • DOGE Put Critical Social Security Data at Risk, Whistle-Blower Says• Blistering Wyden letter seeks review of federal court cybersecurity, citing ‘incompetence,’ ‘negligence’• Email Phishing Scams Increasingly Target Churches

In this week's Security Sprint, Dave and Andy covered the following topics: Warm Open:• Nerd Out EP 61. The 2/3 of the Year Awards!Main Topics:FBI PSA - Russian Government Cyber Actors Targeting Networking Devices, Critical Infrastructure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning the public, private sector, and international community of the threat posed to computer networks and critical infrastructure by cyber actors attributed to the Russian Federal Security Service's (FSB) Center 16. The FBI detected Russian FSB cyber actors exploiting Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and end-of-life networking devices running an unpatched vulnerability (CVE-2018-0171) in Cisco Smart Install (SMI) to broadly target entities in the United States and globally. Info Ops: • Most Adults in 25 Countries Say Spread of False Information Is a Top National Threat. The findings come from Pew’s seventh iteration of its Global Attitudes Survey: International Opinion on Global Threats, which was last published in 2022. • Foreign disinformation enters AI-powered era. At least one China-based technology company, GoLaxy, seems to be using generative AI to build influence operations in Taiwan and Hong Kong… Documents also show that GoLaxy has created profiles for at least 117 members of Congress and over 2,000 American political figures and thought leaders.• Toxic politics and TikTok engagement in the 2024 U.S. election• Why wind farms attract so much misinformation and conspiracy theory UN - Terror threat posed by ISIL ‘remains volatile and complex,’ Security Council hears. The threat posed by the terrorist group ISIL – known more widely in the Middle East as Da’esh – remains dynamic and diverse, with Africa currently experiencing the highest level of activity worldwide.• PDF: Remarks by Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. • PDF: Remarks by Mr. Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.• UN Report: ISIS Fighters’ Migration to Afghanistan and the Taliban’s Failure• ISIS-K poses major threat with 2,000 fighters in Afghanistan, UN saysFEMA Employees Warn That Trump Is Gutting Disaster Response. After Hurricane Katrina, Congress passed a law to strengthen the nation’s disaster response. FEMA employees say the Trump administration has reversed that progress. Employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency wrote to Congress on Monday warning that the Trump administration had reversed much of the progress made in disaster response and recovery since Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast two decades ago. The letter to Congress, titled the “Katrina Declaration,” rebuked President Trump’s plan to drastically scale down FEMA and shift more responsibility for disaster response — and more costs — to the states. It came days before the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest and costliest storms to ever strike the United States.Quick Hits:• 25% of security leaders replaced after ransomware attack• Gate 15: Hack Yourself First: Pen Testing for Prevention • FB-ISAO: Ransomware Incident Review January to June 2025• Dissecting PipeMagic: Inside the architecture of a modular backdoor framework• Maryland Transit Administration says cybersecurity incident is affecting some of its servicesNevada state government offices closed after network security incident• Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2024• MIT report: 95% of generative AI pilots at companies are failing• Report: Russian Sabotage Operations In Europe Have Quadrupled Since 2023• CISA Requests Public Comment for Updated Guidance on Software Bill of Materials• Risky Bulletin: NIST releases face-morphing detection guideline• CVE-2025–41688: Bypassing Restrictions in an OT Remote Access Device• Think before you Click(Fix): Analyzing the ClickFix social engineering technique

In the latest episode of Nerd Out, Dave goes through the annual (3rd or 4th - who knows) 2/3 of the year awards! The categories are:MVP. Who or what is the security MVP to date. This can be a person, or a tactic.The Cobra (Sly Stallone) Award - "You're the disease and I’m the cure". What has been a great security process or procedure that can really help "cure" organization's security problems.The Dennis Green "they are who we thought they are" Award. What is a threat or tactic that threats use that really showed their true colors.The Aldus Snow (Get Him to The Greek) Award. Don’t forget about me - what is the security threat that remains always present . Something so simple yet so deadly.Dumpster Fire Award. What incident or threat will just make things a mess.Scotty Doesn’t Know award (EuroTrip) Award. What threat is out there that orgs aren’t thinking about but should.Avengers Team Up Award. Is there a great product or paper that involved multiple groups that orgs should know about.Heath Ledger Joker Award. What threat just takes it to another level - when you think last time was bad, the next time is worse.

In this episode of The Gate 15 Interview, Andy Jabbour speaks with Adam Rak, Executive Director CyberUSA, Head of Strategic Partnerships, and San Carlos City Council Member and Former Mayor. Adam is a highly accomplished, analytical government relations executive with 25 years of experience and proven success promoting initiatives in the technology and cyber security industry. Possesses detailed expertise in developing partnerships and programs to achieve organizational objectives, and enhance industry reputation. Learn more about Adam on LinkedIn.In the discussion Adam and Andy cover:Adam’s background.CyberUSA, overview, members, and marketplaceBuilding communitiesSelling new ideas in tech and securityWe play 3 Questions and talk civics, being an Eagle Scout, Vikings, Valkyries and more!Selected links:CyberUSANM Technology Council Unites with CyberUSA to Bridge Innovation and CybersecurityCyberUSA Welcomes CyberMontana as Newest AffiliateCyber Florida at USF Partners with CyberUSA, Strengthening National Cybersecurity CollaborationCyberUSA MarketplaceCyberUSA Gate 15 Marketplace Offer: Gate 15 Resilience and Intelligence Portal (GRIP) SubscriptionCyberUSA Gate 15 Marketplace Offer: Gate 15 Low Cost Ransomware Workshop

In this week's Security Sprint, Dave and Andy are joined by Alec Davison and they covered the following topics:Warm Open:• Crypto ISAC• Odin.fun Exploited for $7 Million as 58.2 BTC Stolen in Security Breach• BtcTurk under attack again: withdrawals suspended after alleged $50 million hack & Major Turkish Crypto Exchange BtcTurk Allegedly Hacked for Nearly $50 Million• Treasury Sanctions Cryptocurrency Exchange and Network Enabling Sanctions Evasion and Cyber Criminals• More everyday in the SUN. Join the GRIP! Get the SUN! Main Topics:EPA, WaterISAC caution utilities on drone threats and cyber risks in evolving security landscape. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and WaterISAC recognized that UASs (unmanned aerial systems), or drones, can pose significant threats to critical infrastructure, due to their accessibility, versatility, and potential for misuse. These threats can range from unauthorized surveillance, physical attacks, and even cyber attacks. Drones have revolutionized the critical infrastructure sector by enabling efficient and cost-effective inspections, reducing the need for manual labor and minimizing safety risks associated with hazardous environments, while providing real-time data and high-resolution imagery, allowing for more accurate monitoring and maintenance of infrastructure assets, leading to improved operational efficiency and reduced downtime. UK NPSA: Security Fences and Gates. Fences, along with integrated gates, play a key role in delivering security solutions both for perimeters and protecting important assets. This guidance is intended to aid those responsible for delivering security solutions including fences and gates to identify the factors that need to be considered. NPSA wish to advise that fences and gates are no longer tested to the Manual Forced Entry Standard (MFES). As a result, all fences and gates which were previously given an MFES rating have been removed from the Catalogue of Security Equipment. This document provides advice on the requirements for security fences and gates and signpost alternative security standards that should be considered. Please use the NPSA Forced Entry Standards Guidance1 to assist you. NPSA Forced Entry Standard 2024Hurricane Erin: • NHC issuing advisories for the Atlantic on Hurricane Erin• Key messages regarding Hurricane Erin• Hurricane Erin to grow, will next threaten US coast with dangerous conditionsQuick Hits:• NOAA - July 2025 was planet's 3rd warmest on record • Dragos Industrial Ransomware Analysis: Q2 2025 • CISA: Foundations for OT Cybersecurity: Asset Inventory Guidance for Owners and Operators• Canada’s Guide on Biometric Management Is a Useful Resource for All Corporate Security Directors• Canadian Centre for Cyber Securityo Steps to address data spillage in the cloud (ITSAP.50.112)o Introduction to cloud computing (ITSAP.50.110)o Models of cloud computing (ITSAP.50.111)• Norway spy chief blames Russian hackers for hijacking dam• Colt Telecom attack claimed by WarLock ransomware, data up for sale• SNI5GECT: Sniffing and Injecting 5G Traffic Without Rogue Base Stations & Risky Bulletin: Academics pull off novel 5G attack• Hundreds of N-able N-central Instances Affected by Exploited Vulnerabilities• ReliaQuest Uncovers New Critical Vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver• Plex warns users to patch security vulnerability immediately• ClickFix phishing links increased nearly 400% in 12 months, report says

In this week's Security Sprint, Dave and Andy covered the following topics:Main Topics:Physical Security: • FBI Releases 2024 Reported Crimes in the Nation Statisticso Hate crimes hit second largest record in 2024: FBIo Crime down in every category in 2024, FBI report sayso Jews targeted in 69% of religion hate crimes in 2024, 71% since October 2023, per FBI datao FBI Report: Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes Across U.S. Nearly 10x Higher Than Any Other Groupo NYC Sees Drop in Antisemitic Hate Crimes, Yet Jews Still Targeted Most, Police Say• CDC shooter blamed COVID vaccine for depression; union demands statement against misinformationo CDC Shooter Believed Covid Vaccine Made Him Suicidal, His Father Tells Policeo Suspect identified in Atlanta shooting outside CDC: What to know• Shooter kills three in a Target parking lot in Austin before being captured, police sayo Child among 3 killed in north Austin shooting, suspect detainedo 'I was running for my life' | 3 dead in shooting at North Austin TargetThe Cost of a Call: From Voice Phishing to Data Extortion - Update (August 5) & Google says hackers stole its customers’ data by breaching its Salesforce databaseHackers Hijacked Google’s Gemini AI With a Poisoned Calendar Invite to Take Over a Smart Home; For likely the first time ever, security researchers have shown how AI can be hacked to create real-world havoc, allowing them to turn off lights, open smart shutters, and more. In a new apartment in Tel Aviv, the internet-connected lights go out. The smart shutters covering its four living room and kitchen windows start to roll up simultaneously. And a connected boiler is remotely turned on, ready to start warming up the stylish flat. The apartment’s residents didn’t trigger any of these actions. They didn’t put their smart devices on a schedule. They are, in fact, under attack. Each unexpected action is orchestrated by three security researchers demonstrating a sophisticated hijack of Gemini, Google’s flagship artificial intelligence bot. Quick Hits:• NOAA - Prediction remains on track for above-normal Atlantic hurricane season• New state, local cyber grant rules prohibit spending on MS-ISAC• Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team (JCAT): Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Emergency Planning and Postattack Response Considerations• Canadian Centre for Cyber Security - Potential SSL VPN Zero-Day vulnerability impacting Gen 7 SonicWall Firewalls• SonicWall Hunts for Zero-Day Amid Surge in Firewall Exploitation• Microsoft Releases Guidance on High-Severity Vulnerability (CVE-2025-53786) in Hybrid Exchange Deployments • CISA Releases Malware Analysis Report Associated with Microsoft SharePoint Vulnerabilities• CISA Issues ED 25-02: Mitigate Microsoft Exchange Vulnerability • Leak Reveals the Workaday Lives of North Korean IT Scammers • US companies spending record amounts to protect executives as threats rise• Mysterious Crime Spree Targeted National Guard Equipment Stashes• American Nazis: The Aryan Freedom Network is riding high in Trump era• Florida Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Conspiring to Destroy Baltimore Region Power Grid & Neo-Nazi leader sentenced to 20 years for plotting Baltimore power grid attack• Leader of Transnational Terrorist Group Pleads Guilty to Soliciting Hate Crimes, Soliciting the Murder of Federal Officials, and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Terrorists

In this week's Security Sprint, Dave and Andy covered the following topics:Warm Open:• Decrypted: FunkSec Ransomware; Avast releases free decryptor for AI-assisted FunkSec ransomware & Skip directly to the decryptor download. Main Topics:Hostile Events:• NYC shooting at heavily secured office building raises questions about what more can be done • FBI Arrests Dayton Man for Making Social Media Post Threatening to Kill Tens of Thousands & Man accused of threatening to kill 30K Black people in Cincinnati days after megaviral attack video• Tennessee man threatened to kill public officials, kept explosive devices in his home, authorities sayCyber Threat Reports: • CrowdStrike 2025 Threat Hunting Report: AI Becomes a Weapon and a Target• Censys: 2025 State of the Internet: Malware Investigations• Forescout - Midyear Threat Report: Numbers Grow in Nearly All the Wrong Places• Cside: Client-Side Attack Report Q2 2025DHS Launches Over $100 Million in Funding to Strengthen Communities’ Cyber Defenses Quick Hits:• FBI PSA - Unsolicited Packages Containing QR Codes Used to Initiate Fraud Schemes• Leading phone repair and insurance firm collapses after paying crippling ransomware demand — Cutting 100+ employees to just eight wasn’t enough• Canadian Centre for Cyber Security - Security considerations for critical infrastructure (ITSAP.10.100)• Iran hiring criminal networks in Europe to attack Jews, US religious freedom report finds• UNC2891 Bank Heist: Physical ATM Backdoor & Linux Forensic Evasion Evasion• Swedish crypto exchange Trijo hacked for 7.8 MSEK

On this week's Security Sprint, Dave is solo and talked about the following topics.Warm Opening.Check out the blogs on the Gate 15 website including the recent one on network segmentation (www.gate15.global). https://gate15.global/digital-firebreaks/Main Topics.NYC active shooter incident. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nyc-shooting-suspect-shane-devon-temura-what-know-rcna221638Walmart incident and bystanders. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/walmart-stabbings-michigan-traverse-city-suspect-terrorism-what-know-rcna221445CISA Active Shooter resources: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/physical-security/active-shooter-preparednessChinese ‘Fire Ant’ spies start to bite unpatched VMware instances. https://www.csoonline.com/article/4029545/chinese-fire-ant-spies-start-to-bite-unpatched-vmware-instances.htmlSygnia Uncovers Active Chinese-Nexus Threat Actor Targeting Critical Infrastructure. https://www.sygnia.co/press-release/sygnia-uncovers-chinese-threat-targeting-critical-infrastructure/

In the latest Nerd Out, Alec and Dave welcome in Hunter Headapohl to talk about the cyber basics, and why so many threats can be prevented by following appropriate cyber hygiene. Alec and Hunter share their best practices and some of their tools and resources that can be leveraged to mitigate risk.Some of the references from the pod include:Top Cyber Actions for Securing Water Systems - https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/top-cyber-actions-securing-water-systemsDefending OT Operations Against Ongoing Pro-Russia Hacktivist Activity - https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/defending-ot-operations-against-ongoing-pro-russia-hacktivist-activityIRGC-Affiliated Cyber Actors Exploit PLCs in Multiple Sectors, Including US Water and Wastewater Systems Facilities - https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-335aChina Strategically Infiltrates U.S. Critical Infrastructure as Cyberattacks Escalate - https://thesoufancenter.org/intelbrief-2025-january-10/Secure by Design - https://www.cisa.gov/securebydesignCISA Training - https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/training