DefenceTalkIsrael’s ground-breaking surveillance technology was once feted as a prized export bolstering diplomatic ties abroad, but reports the secret spyware was also turned on citizens at home has trigged domestic outrage. Bombshell allegations in Israeli media centre on the controversial Pegasus malware made by the Israeli firm NSO, which can turn a phone into a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/domestic-use-of-israels-spyware-sparks-scandal-at-home-77858/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department relies on the entrepreneurial companies and their innovative, hard-working employees in the defense industrial base, or DIB, to create capabilities for warfighters. Through procurements from private-sector sources, the department leverages the best technologies and innovations to give service members the battlefield advantages they need to win decisively, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said. “DIB cybersecurity is and will remain an expanding […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-dod-focused-on-protecting-the-defense-industrial-base-from-cyber-threats-77841/

DefenceTalkAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s WeChat account has disappeared, prompting accusations of Chinese “interference” from senior members of his government Monday. But Tencent, the Chinese tech giant that owns WeChat, has denied that the prime minister’s account was hacked or removed from its platform. “Based on our information, this appears to be a dispute over […]https://www.defencetalk.com/wechat-denies-australia-pms-account-was-hacked-77733/

DefenceTalkMicrosoft security specialists have discovered malware on dozens of Ukrainian government computers that could prove more destructive than originally thought, the US company said late on Saturday. A Microsoft blog post said that the malware was first detected on Thursday, coinciding with an attack that took down some 70 government websites. The malware was disguised […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-microsoft-reports-destructive-malware-after-cyberattack-77694/

DefenceTalkKyiv on Friday reported a massive cyber attack on key government websites as tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine escalate following several rounds of unsuccessful talks. The education ministry said on Facebook that its website was down due to a “global (cyber) attack” that had taken place overnight. Other websites that were down […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-reports-massive-cyber-attack-on-government-websites-77685/

DefenceTalkSwitzerland’s army has banned the use of WhatsApp whilst on duty, a spokesman confirmed Thursday, in favor of a Swiss messaging service deemed more secure in terms of data protection. The ban also applies to using other messaging apps like Signal and Telegram on soldiers’ private phones during service operations. At the end of December, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/swiss-army-bans-whatsapp-at-work-77630/

DefenceTalkThe Department of the Air Force, along with the security research community, publicly announced the 2021 winners of its second annual Hack-A-Sat 2 space security challenge final event December 12. Brig. Gen. John M. Olson, call sign “Sprocket,” is the mobilization assistant to the chief of space operations for the Space Force and gave keynote […]https://www.defencetalk.com/reduce-daf-declares-hack-a-sat-challenge-winners-aims-to-reduce-space-vulnerability-77585/

DefenceTalkDARPA’s System Security Integration Through Hardware and firmware (SSITH) program is exploring hardware security architectures and tools that protect electronic systems against common classes of hardware vulnerabilities exploited through software, with the goal of breaking the endless cycle of software patch-and-pray. To date, research on the program has focused on developing approaches and proving out […]

DefenceTalkUS authorities unveiled Wednesday long-delayed new rules aimed at clamping down on export to nations like Russia and China of hacking technology amid a sharp uptick in cyberattacks globally. The rules, which are set to go into force in 90 days, would prevent the sale of certain software or devices to a list of countries […]

DefenceTalkWhile much attention is paid to detecting and remedying flaws or vulnerabilities in software, the way a system is designed can also create large opportunities for attackers. System designers primarily focus on ensuring a program is adept at executing a specific task, focusing on how a design can best support intended features and behaviors and […]