South Korea plans to strengthen measures to prevent the overseas leakage of business secrets as global competition for advanced technology intensifies, according to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok. The government will implement a “big data” system at the patent agency to monitor potential leaks and introduce stricter regulations with tougher penalties for offenders, although details on the punishments were not provided.
The National Intelligence Service reported 97 attempts to leak business secrets to foreign countries over the past five years, 40 of which targeted the semiconductor sector. If successful, these breaches could have caused losses of approximately 23 trillion won ($16.85 billion). Recently, a South Korean executive accused of stealing Samsung Electronics’ chip technology was detained again over new allegations.
In response to global competition and supply chain challenges, South Korea has identified 12 sectors, including semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, aerospace, and AI, as ‘national strategic technologies.’ These industries receive targeted support and protection to boost the country’s technological leadership.
Orro is enhancing its operational technology (OT) capabilities with the launch of its new division, Orro Critical Infrastructure, aimed at serving Australia and New Zealand. That initiative represents a significant advancement in Orro’s commitment to providing innovative solutions tailored to meet the growing demands of the industrial sector.
The division will offer a comprehensive suite of specialised services, including network infrastructure, cybersecurity, distributed cloud systems, and private LTE wireless networks. A key component of this initiative is establishing a new Security Operations Centre (SOC) designed explicitly for OT customers, providing real-time protection against potential cyberattacks and ensuring robust cybersecurity measures.
Additionally, Orro will focus on operational excellence by integrating best practices from IT and OT disciplines to effectively manage the complexities of OT production environments. The company will assess and stabilise existing critical infrastructure assets, working closely with industry regulators and clients to implement key transformations.
These expanded capabilities are expected to benefit customers across various sectors, including energy, transport and logistics, healthcare, retail, and state government entities, fostering innovation and resilience in critical infrastructure management.
The UK government prioritises adopting innovative technologies through its draft industrial strategy, ‘Invest 2035.’ The comprehensive plan aims to accelerate the integration and scaling of new technologies across eight key growth sectors, including cybersecurity solutions and ensuring that all emerging technologies are secure by design.
To support this technological advancement, the strategy focuses on strengthening cyber resilience by enhancing supply chain resilience to mitigate vulnerabilities that could impede long-term growth. Implementing strengthened cyber resilience measures is essential for safeguarding growth-driving sectors against potential digital threats, thereby reinforcing the overall security of the economy.
Additionally, a crucial element of the strategy is the investment in skills and workforce development, as the UK government acknowledges the need to prepare the workforce for future challenges through substantial investments in skills and training. Promoting cybersecurity education is vital, empowering individuals and organisations to protect themselves better and leverage technological advancements.
Furthermore, the draft strategy emphasises public consultation and stakeholder engagement, inviting input from businesses, experts, unions, and other stakeholders to refine the plan before its final publication in spring 2025. The government also highlights the importance of collaboration between itself and the cyber industry, as these partnerships are essential for addressing existing challenges, such as the skills gap and outdated cyber laws. Ultimately, this strategy aims to support the growth of a secure and resilient economy, fostering an environment where organisations can thrive safely in an increasingly digital world.
T-Mobile customers impacted by hurricanes in Florida can now send SMS texts via Starlink satellites. SpaceX confirmed that the service is available on a ‘best-effort basis’ and at no cost.
Users with T-Mobile phones can send texts, including messages to emergency services and 911, using Starlink satellites. Phones connected to the satellite service will display ‘T-Mobile SpaceX’ and may show 1 to 2 bars of service.
SpaceX advises that the service works best outdoors but can sometimes function near windows indoors. There may be occasional issues requiring users to retry sending texts.
Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ) and JSC Uzbektelecom have forged a significant collaboration to strengthen network security services in Uzbekistan and throughout the Central Asian region. Central to this partnership is the integration of IIJ Safous, a sophisticated zero-trust access service that IIJ will provide to empower Uzbektelecom to launch its own security offerings.
The initiative builds upon a previous partnership established through the Telecommunication Infrastructure Development Project awarded in January 2023, which includes prominent players such as Toyota Tsusho, NEC Corporation, and NTT Communication Corporation. Together, they aim to address the growing demand for enhanced cybersecurity solutions in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
That collaboration aligns closely with Uzbekistan’s ‘Digital Uzbekistan 2030‘ strategy, which aims to enhance the country’s digital infrastructure while highlighting the importance of cybersecurity. As the ICT market continues to expand, the partnership between IIJ and Uzbektelecom is set to foster innovations in managed security services and cloud solutions.
With the outsourcing services sector projected to grow by an annual rate of 12.53% from 2024 to 2029, this initiative strengthens Uzbekistan’s digital security landscape. It also serves as a model for similar partnerships that drive regional digital transformation.
Fortum, Finland’s largest power utility, is dealing with a wave of cyber threats and security incidents targeting its energy facilities, CEO Markus Rauramo revealed. The utility, which manages hydro, wind, solar, nuclear, and combined heat and power plants, faces daily denial-of-service attacks, disruptions to satellite communications, drone sightings, and suspicious individuals around its sites. Fortum has sought assistance from Finnish authorities to investigate the incidents, which have also impacted its operations in Sweden.
Finnish and Swedish intelligence services have declined to comment on the cyber attacks or identify any potential perpetrators. Fortum’s head of security, Jari Stenius, noted an uptick in the frequency of such incidents but emphasised that their impact on operations has been minimal so far. To strengthen its defences, the company has enforced strict access controls, employed private security, set up backup systems, and conducted regular drills with authorities.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (KRP) confirmed that police are currently conducting several investigations into activities near critical infrastructure sites.
Duos Technologies Group, through its subsidiary Duos Edge AI, has entered a strategic partnership with Accu-Tech to expand the deployment of edge data centres across the US. This collaboration aims to meet the rising demand for faster data processing and improved connectivity in underserved areas.
With Accu-Tech’s established distribution network, Duos Edge AI plans to accelerate the rollout of its advanced computing solutions. President Doug Recker sees this as a key moment in providing critical technology to local communities. The growing edge computing market, expected to reach $43.4 billion by 2027, highlights the importance of this venture.
CEO Chuck Ferry emphasises the alignment between Duos’ vision and the need for innovative infrastructure to support local businesses. By partnering with Accu-Tech, Duos ensures both reliable installation and efficient operation of its edge data centres.
The first edge data centres are expected to be operational by Q4 2024. The collaboration is set to improve connectivity and optimise performance, bringing advanced technology to underserved regions across the country.
Vodafone has announced a significant development in its Giga TV service, as part of a renewed billion-dollar partnership with Google Cloud. Over the next ten years, Google’s artificial intelligence capabilities will be integrated into the platform to enhance personalisation and content discovery for its users.
The companies plan to leverage Google Cloud’s AI to improve Vodafone’s Android-based TV system in Germany. New features will help users find content more easily and deliver a more tailored viewing experience. Additionally, Google Ad Manager will be integrated into Giga TV, enhancing the advertising landscape within the platform.
Further collaboration will see YouTube become more deeply embedded in Vodafone’s TV devices, providing a richer video experience. These improvements are set to bring significant advancements in how viewers engage with television content, both in entertainment and beyond.
Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group CEO, expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasising how these AI-driven innovations will transform communication and learning. She highlighted the unprecedented scale on which the new content and services will be delivered to millions of users.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted permission to SpaceX and T-Mobile to activate Starlink’s direct-to-cell capability for hurricane-hit regions in North Carolina. This emergency measure aims to restore communication services in areas heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, where over 74% of cell towers were initially knocked out.
SpaceX’s satellites have already begun transmitting emergency alerts to mobile networks across the state. Basic texting on T-Mobile’s network is also under testing as part of efforts to reconnect people in affected areas. According to the FCC, only 17% of cell towers now remain offline as restoration teams work to bring the infrastructure back online.
T-Mobile noted that, while the full deployment of Starlink’s direct-to-cell constellation has not yet occurred, even early access to the system is aiding first responders in their rescue missions. Their network is almost fully restored, with minimal disruptions persisting in some remote areas.
Although Starlink’s full capabilities are still under development, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr emphasised the critical need to manage expectations. The system is offering partial but vital assistance to communities as recovery efforts continue.
Chinese hackers reportedly accessed US broadband networks, compromising systems used for government-authorised wiretapping. The Wall Street Journal revealed that major telecom providers, including Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies, were affected by the breach.
Hackers are believed to have maintained access for months, enabling them to intercept internet traffic and sensitive communications data. US investigators, who labelled the hacking group ‘Salt Typhoon’, indicated that the breach was intelligence-focused.
China’s foreign ministry responded to the accusations, denying knowledge of the incident and condemning the US for what they called ‘a false narrative’. Beijing had previously denied involvement in similar cyber-espionage claims.
Lumen Technologies declined to comment, while Verizon and AT&T did not respond immediately. The breach follows the exposure of another Chinese hacking group earlier this year, as part of a broader campaign by US law enforcement.
