In response to the evolving cyber threat environment, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has announced a pilot program to provide cutting-edge cybersecurity shared services on a voluntary basis to critical infrastructure entities most in need of help. Cyberattacks have increased in both volume and impact in recent years, affecting the everyday operations of organizations across critical infrastructure sectors. For example, the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline's corporate network disrupted fuel supplies to gas stations along the East Coast.

According to Imperva, the leading threat to online retailers is automated attacks conducted through sophisticated bad bots against application business logic. Other significant threats to online retailers include account takeover, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS), Application Programming Interface (API) abuse, and client-side attacks. Online retailers are built on an extensive network of API connections and third-party dependencies, making them vulnerable to a range of attacks.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added three security issues affecting Microsoft devices, a Sophos product, and an Oracle enterprise solution to its catalog of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV). The KEV catalog contains flaws that have been confirmed to be exploited by hackers in attacks. It serves as a repository for vulnerabilities that companies worldwide should prioritize.

Intel has patched the Reptar vulnerability Google security researchers found in its CPUs that could lead to data theft or DNS attacks. According to researchers, the Reptar flaw is a "redundant prefix" issue. When hackers execute a REP MOVSB instruction with a redundant REX prefix in an Intel processor, the chip manufacturer warns in an advisory that it can result in unpredictable system behavior. This can then cause the system to crash or hang. In some cases, it can also result in the escalation of privileges.

The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are warning about a group of hackers known as Scattered Spider, who have disrupted some of the country's largest companies through social engineering and other methods. The hacking group, also known as Starfraud, UNC3944, Scatter Swine, and Muddled Libra, has recently made headlines for alleged attacks on MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment. The FBI and CISA supported research from cybersecurity experts on how the group works in a recent advisory and press roundtable.

The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) has recently introduced the Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT), the industry’s inaugural authoritative zero trust certification.  CSA noted that the certification responds to the evolving landscape of pervasive technology and the inadequacy of legacy security models.  It aims to equip security professionals with the knowledge necessary to develop and implement a zero trust strategy.

One of the world’s largest libraries has recently confirmed it was hit by a ransomware attack on October 28 and that it will take weeks or possibly months to fully recover.  The British Library noted that the breach impacted phone lines and on-site services at its main building in London and a separate facility in Yorkshire, as well as access to digital collections, its website, and its digital catalog.  The library stated that it was continuing to experience a major technology outage as a result of a cyberattack.

Royal Mail has recently revealed a multimillion-pound cost attached to a serious ransomware breach it suffered earlier this year.  The British postal service company was hit by a LockBit affiliate in an incident which caused “severe service disruption” for items sent abroad.  The ransomware group was demanding nearly $80m from the firm to prevent it from leaking its stolen data.  Although Royal Mail refused to pay, in line with law enforcement advice, the operational costs associated with the incident are starting to emerge.