Cyberthreat News Round-Up For February
This month’s round-up brings you key cybersecurity news from the past month, focusing on threats and trends that matter most to security professionals.
The US launches a national cybersecurity strategy, Countries ban TikTok on government devices amid cybersecurity concerns, Australian firms targeted by cyberattacks and more
Cyberattacks are on the rise across all industries with new attack surfaces emerging every day, from the internet of things (IoT) to cloud technology. This is driving new threats, ranging from phishing and social engineering to data manipulation, destruction and wiper attacks.
Hackers also rely on new technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and deep learning to evade defences and breach targets. These technologies allow attackers to learn from breaches, and improve their capabilities over time.
Russia’s aggressive cyberattacks against Ukrainian infrastructure have risen in 2018. The government-backed attackers have engaged in a multi-pronged effort to gain a wartime advantage, including using destructive attacks on Ukraine and Ukrainian military and civilian infrastructure, spear phishing attacks, and leaking sensitive information to further Russian narratives.
Amid a rise in cyberattacks, the US plans to strengthen its cyber defences by strengthening regulation and improving collaboration between the government and industry. The White House will announce a cybersecurity strategy on 20 February, calling for tighter controls over existing cyber practices and improving accountability for cybersecurity in critical infrastructure such as hospitals and dams.
The global financial system has become a target for cyberattacks, with threat actors targeting banks and other financial institutions to steal sensitive data and disrupt their operations. As financial innovation fuels the digital revolution, the risk is only increasing.