By OptionOne Technologies
We searched through the most popular cybersecurity websites to bring you the latest industry news, updates, and tips from December 2024.
Cybersecurity Threat News
Treasury Department Suffers Major Cybersecurity Incident—Suspected Chinese Threat Actors Infiltrate BeyondTrust Service
The U.S. Treasury Department reported a “major cybersecurity incident” involving suspected Chinese threat actors remotely accessing some computers and unclassified documents, The Hacker News reported. The breach occurred on December 8, 2024, when BeyondTrust, a third-party software service provider, notified the Treasury that a threat actor had gained access to a key used to secure a cloud-based service for remote technical support.
The incident allowed the attackers to override security measures, remotely access certain Treasury Departmental user workstations, and view unclassified documents. The Treasury is collaborating with CISA and the FBI, with evidence suggesting the involvement of a state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actor from China—an APT is a long-term cyberattack campaign that targets specific entities, often from a known threat actor.
In response, the Treasury has taken the BeyondTrust service offline. It has found no evidence of ongoing unauthorized access.
BeyondTrust itself was recently the victim of a digital intrusion affecting some of its Remote Support SaaS instances, which led to the discovery of two security flaws in their products. The company has taken steps to address the issue, including revoking the compromised API key and notifying affected customers.
This incident occurs amid reports of Chinese state-sponsored threat actors targeting U.S. telecommunication providers.
2025 Will be Year of Reckoning for AI in Cybersecurity, Senior IEEE Member Says
A majority of enterprise leaders believe that in 2025, there will be a ‘generative AI reckoning’ in cybersecurity, said a report by InfoSecurity Magazine. This will be driven by people’s increasing familiarity and understanding of what the technology can do.
“Clearly the dynamic between hackers and cybersecurity teams is shifting,” said Professor Kevin Curran, a Senior IEEE Member and Professor of Cybersecurity at Ulster University.
“Both sides are employing AI tools within their arsenal to outmaneuver one another.”
Here is a synopsis of what this reckoning will look like from both sides:
Defensive AI Applications
- Real-time data analysis for anomaly detection
- Personalized security measures based on user behavior
- Predictive analytics to forecast emerging threats
- Machine learning models for identifying unusual network activities
Offensive AI Applications:
- Enhanced phishing attacks with more sophisticated content
- Automated malware creation and network vulnerability scanning
- Deepfake scams for identity theft and fraud
- Adversarial AI to trick defensive systems
Emerging AI-Powered Threats
- Polymorphic Malware: Self-modifying code that evades detection
- Adversarial AI: Manipulating AI systems to make poor decisions
- Deepfake Scams: Manipulated audio, video, or images for data extraction
By 2025, cybersecurity strategies will likely include:
- AI-driven deception techniques to mislead attackers
- Autonomous AI systems for threat detection and response
- Balanced human-AI collaboration in security operations
Organizations must adopt proactive, comprehensive cybersecurity policies to stay ahead of AI-powered threats. While AI offers powerful tools for defense, human oversight remains crucial for critical decision-making and avoiding over-reliance on automated systems.
Cybersecurity Tips
These Are the Biggest Lessons from 2024, According to DarkReading
In a comprehensive review of cybersecurity trends in 2024, DarkReading has highlighted several critical lessons that emerged throughout the year. The article, titled “What Security Lessons Did We Learn in 2024?”, sheds light on the evolving threat landscape and the challenges faced by organizations in defending against increasingly sophisticated attacks.
Nation-State Actors Will Increasingly Take Advantage of Zero-Day Exploits
One of the most significant developments in 2024 was the surge in zero-day exploits, particularly those leveraged by nation-state actors. Threat researchers observed a year-over-year increase in zero-day vulnerabilities, with China being singled out as a major player in this arena.
The collaboration between nation-states and cybercrime rings emerged as a new trend, amplifying the threat posed by these sophisticated attacks.
Resiliency Planning Needs More Attention Due to Growing Ransomware Risk
2024 exposed the fragility of supply chains and highlighted the need for improved business continuity strategies. Ransomware operators increasingly targeted service providers and supply chain networks, causing widespread disruptions.
A notable example was the cyberattack on Ahold Delhaize, which affected over 2,000 stores and disrupted various services for several days.
Critical Infrastructure and Government-Run Systems Are Under Attack
Attacks on critical infrastructure reached unprecedented levels in 2024. Government-run water systems became targets of nation-state attacks, as evidenced by a cybersecurity incident at a facility in Arkansas City, Kansas.
The shift in focus from well-protected facilities to more vulnerable upstream systems, such as water supplies and power grids, became apparent.
The Telecommunications Sector Is Not Secure (or Particularly Trustworthy)
The year concluded with alarming news about the telecommunications sector’s vulnerabilities. The cyber-espionage group Salt Typhoon, allegedly linked to the Chinese government, successfully infiltrated telecommunications networks in multiple countries.
In the United States alone, at least eight major telecom companies were compromised, exposing sensitive data including call logs and unencrypted text messages. The issue is so widespread that “the FBI has recommended Americans use encrypted messaging apps, like Signal and WhatsApp, to ensure their communications stay hidden,” the report said.
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