Greetings for joining us in this week’s rendition of our roundup of cybersecurity events, showcasing the recent progresses and perspectives from the UK and beyond.
British Government’s Stance on Encryption Sparks Worldwide Concerns
The decision of the UK authorities to demand Apple to furnish a means to access encrypted backups of iCloud users under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 has drawn global attention. This covert directive doesn’t pertain solely to British users but potentially encompasses Apple’s user base globally. In retaliation, Apple has discontinued its Advanced Data Protection functionality in the UK, citing disappointment. This action carries significant consequences, instigating worries about global user privacy and security. Experts contend that the creation of access points jeopardizes overall security, potentially facilitating malicious entities to infiltrate. Apple’s compliance or resistance will establish a model for other administrations seeking analogous access. Read more
Enhancement of Physical Security at Sellafield Nuclear Facility Amid Cybersecurity Alarms
Sellafield, recognized as the world’s largest repository of plutonium, has been cleared from heightened scrutiny for physical security by the UK’s regulatory body for the nuclear sector, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). This resolution follows significant enhancements in protective protocols, permitting regular assessments in lieu of intensified regulatory monitoring. Nonetheless, concerns persist regarding its cybersecurity. In the prior year, Sellafield faced a penalty of nearly £400,000 due to lapses in cybersecurity, purportedly associated with hacking factions connected to Russia and China. While concrete evidence of a successful cyber intrusion is lacking, cybersecurity prevails as a pivotal apprehension. Read more
Economic Toll of Cyberattacks on UK Enterprises
Over the past half-decade, cyber incidents have inflicted roughly £44 billion ($55.08 billion) in financial losses on British enterprises, with 52% of privately-owned corporations having experienced at least one assault within that timeframe, per data from insurance intermediary Howden. On average, these incidents have amounted to a 1.9% reduction in annual revenue for the afflicted companies. Larger corporations, generating more than £100 million annually, are more prone to being targeted. Despite the substantial risks, merely 61% of businesses integrate anti-malware systems, and only 55% deploy network firewalls, primarily due to cost constraints and limitations in internal IT capabilities. Read more
International Sanctions Aimed at Russian Cybercrime Network
Collaboratively, the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have enforced sanctions against Zservers, a Russian service provider of impenetrable web hosting and two Russian operatives associated with it for aiding the LockBit ransomware syndicate. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, in conjunction with its UK and Australian counterparts, targeted Zservers for enabling LockBit attacks by furnishing servers that are impervious to legal actions. Lock
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