Cyberconflict and warfare

Italian defence firms hit by suspected Indian state-backed hackers

An advanced persistent threat (APT) group with suspected ties to India has been accused of targeting Italian defence companies in a cyber-espionage campaign.

Security researchers found that the hackers used phishing emails and malicious documents to infiltrate networks, stealing sensitive data.

The attacks, believed to be state-sponsored, align with growing concerns about nation state cyber operations targeting critical industries.

The campaign, dubbed ‘Operation Tainted Love,’ involved sophisticated malware designed to evade detection while exfiltrating confidential documents.

Analysts suggest the group’s motives may include gathering intelligence on military technology and geopolitical strategies. Italy has not yet issued an official response, but the breach underscores the escalating risks to national security posed by cyber-espionage.

This incident follows a broader trend of state-backed hacking groups increasingly focusing on the defence and aerospace sectors.

Cybersecurity experts urge organisations to strengthen defences, particularly against phishing and supply chain attacks. As geopolitical tensions influence cyberwarfare, such operations highlight the need for international cooperation in combating digital threats.

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Azerbaijan’s State Security Service tackles surveillance camera cyber breach

Azerbaijan’s State Security Service has disrupted a significant cybersecurity breach targeting surveillance cameras nationwide. The agency says unauthorised remote access had allowed attackers to capture and leak footage of private homes and offices.

The attackers exploited a digital video recorder (DVR) system vulnerability, intercepting live camera feeds. Footage of private family life was reportedly uploaded to foreign websites and even sold online.

In response, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan coordinated with other state bodies to identify compromised systems and locations. Technical inspections revealed a widespread security flaw in the surveillance devices.

The vulnerability was reported to the foreign manufacturer of the equipment, with an urgent request for a fix. Illegally uploaded footage has since been removed from affected platforms.

Citizens are urged to avoid using devices of unknown origin and follow best practices when managing digital systems. Authorities emphasised the importance of protecting personal data and maintaining cyber hygiene.

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Ransomware gangs feud after M&S cyberattack

A turf war has erupted between two significant ransomware gangs, DragonForce and RansomHub, following cyberattacks on UK retailers including Marks and Spencer and Harrods.

Security experts warn that the feud could result in companies being extorted multiple times as criminal groups compete to control the lucrative ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) market.

DragonForce, a predominantly Russian-speaking group, reportedly triggered the conflict by rebranding as a cartel and expanding its affiliate base.

Tensions escalated after RansomHub’s dark-web site was taken offline in what is believed to be a hostile move by DragonForce, prompting retaliation through digital vandalism.

Cybersecurity analysts say the breakdown in relationships between hacking groups has created instability, increasing the likelihood of future attacks. Experts also point to a growing risk of follow-up extortion attempts by affiliates when criminal partnerships collapse.

The rivalry reflects the ruthless dynamics of the ransomware economy, which is forecast to cost businesses $10 trillion globally by the end of 2025. Victims now face not only technical challenges but also the legal and financial fallout of navigating increasingly unpredictable criminal networks.

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US Cyber Command proposes $5M AI Initiative for 2026 budget

US Cyber Command is seeking $5 million in its fiscal year 2026 budget to launch a new AI project to advance data integration and operational capabilities.

While the amount represents a small fraction of the command’s $1.3 billion research and development (R&D) portfolio, the effort reflects growing emphasis on incorporating AI into cyber operations.

The initiative follows congressional direction set in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which tasked Cyber Command and the Department of Defense’s Chief Information Officer—working with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, DARPA, the NSA, and the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering—to produce a five-year guide and implementation plan for rapid AI adoption.

However, this roadmap, developed shortly after, identified priorities for deploying AI systems, applications, and supporting data processes across cyber forces.

Cyber Command formed an AI task force within its Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) to operationalise these priorities. The newly proposed funding would support the task force’s efforts to establish core data standards, curate and tag operational data, and accelerate the integration of AI and machine learning solutions.

Known as Artificial Intelligence for Cyberspace Operations, the project will focus on piloting AI technologies using an agile 90-day cycle. This approach is designed to rapidly assess potential solutions against real-world use cases, enabling quick iteration in response to evolving cyber threats.

Budget documents indicate the CNMF plans to explore how AI can enhance threat detection, automate data analysis, and support decision-making processes. The command’s Cyber Immersion Laboratory will be essential in testing and evaluating these cyber capabilities, with external organisations conducting independent operational assessments.

The AI roadmap identifies five categories for applying AI across Cyber Command’s enterprise: vulnerabilities and exploits; network security, monitoring, and visualisation; modelling and predictive analytics; persona and identity management; and infrastructure and transport systems.

To fund this effort, Cyber Command plans to shift resources from its operations and maintenance account into its R&D budget as part of the transition from FY2025 to FY2026.

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Ukraine strengthens cybersecurity ties with EU

Ukraine participated for the first time in the EU National Cybersecurity Coordination Centers meeting and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) Steering Board in Rome.

The event, supported by Italy’s National Agency for Cybersecurity, focused on enhancing cooperation among EU member states and fostering a unified cyber community.

Natalia Tkachuk, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity, highlighted the nation’s challenges and experiences in countering cyber threats amidst ongoing conflict.

She emphasized Ukraine’s role in both receiving and sharing cybersecurity knowledge to strengthen collective European security.

Discussions included the establishment of a joint Center of Competence for Cyber Resilience in Ukraine, aiming to counter Russian cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage.

The center will utilize artificial intelligence trained on unique Ukrainian data to enhance response capabilities.

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Global instability fuels surge in cyberattacks

A surge in cyberattacks is fuelled by global instability, with businesses worldwide now facing heightened risks. A new report by GlobalData warns that rising geopolitical tensions are giving state actors, terrorists, hacktivists and cybercriminals more opportunities to strike.

Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have created a volatile digital landscape. Cyberattackers are exploiting weakened defences, targeting both national infrastructure and private enterprises.

‘Those not after money are often motivated by revenge,’ the report states. The key perpetrators are disgruntled employees, unhappy customers, and ideologically driven hackers. While some attackers aim to cause reputational harm or attract attention, others seek to turn off critical systems.

Nation states, in particular, use cyberwarfare as a strategic tool against rival governments. Businesses are warned to prepare for disruption as cyber threats become more frequent and sophisticated. The report concludes that no organisation is immune in today’s digital and geopolitical uncertainty climate.

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FBI issues warning as airline cyberattacks rise, posing national security threat

Less than a year after the cyberattack that shut down Sea-Tac Airport, the FBI has issued a stark new warning: America’s airlines are now targets. The agency confirmed that the cybercrime gang Scattered Spider is actively attacking aviation systems.

This group, known for crippling MGM Resorts, uses social engineering to bypass security. By posing as airline staff, they access systems, steal data and deploy ransomware within hours of a breach.

WestJet, Hawaiian Airlines and Qantas have all been hit in the last two months alone. Qantas reported a data breach affecting more than six million passengers.

Today’s airlines depend on interconnected digital infrastructure. Disruption to crew scheduling, flight planning or maintenance can trigger chaos across entire networks.

The FBI says these attacks are shifting from isolated incidents to coordinated campaigns. Experts fear that state and non-state actors are watching closely, ready to exploit aviation vulnerabilities.

Aircraft are now flying data centres. Their connectivity brings both efficiency and risk. Flight safety could be at stake if attackers compromise weather feeds or ground systems.

Sea-Tac was a warning. What happens when multiple airports are targeted at once? Fictional scenarios are edging closer to reality.

Previous attacks — from Warsaw to London — exposed system weaknesses. The threat has only grown. It is no longer a question of if, but when.

The industry must act decisively. Stronger identity checks, hardened systems, and real-time intelligence sharing are no longer optional. Cybersecurity must become as essential as flight safety.

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UK plans new laws to tackle undersea cable sabotage

The UK government’s evolving defence and security policies aim to close legal gaps exposed by modern threats such as cyberattacks and sabotage of undersea cables. As set out in the recent Strategic Defence Review, ministers plan to introduce a new defence readiness bill to protect critical subsea infrastructure better and prepare for hostile acts that fall outside traditional definitions of war.

The government is also considering revising the outdated Submarine Telegraph Act of 1885, whose penalties, last raised in 1982 to £1,000, are now recognised as inadequate. Instead of merely increasing fines, officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology intend to draft comprehensive legislation that balances civil and military needs, clarifies how to prosecute sabotage, and updates the UK’s approach to national defence in the digital age.

These policy initiatives reflect growing concern about ‘grey zone’ threats—deliberate acts of sabotage or cyber aggression that stop short of open conflict yet pose serious national security risks. Recent suspected sabotage incidents, including damage to subsea cables connecting Sweden, Latvia, Finland, and Estonia, have highlighted how vulnerable undersea infrastructure remains.

Investigations have linked several of these operations to Russian and Chinese interests, emphasising the urgency of modernising UK law. By updating its legislative framework, the UK government aims to ensure it can respond effectively to attacks that blur the line between peace and conflict, safeguarding both national interests and critical international data flows.

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FBI warns cybercriminals are targeting airline security systems

The FBI has warned that a notorious cybercrime group known as Scattered Spider has broadened its attacks to target the airline sector. The gang, previously linked to breaches at Caesars, MGM, Aflac, and UK retailers, employs sophisticated social‑engineering methods.

These criminals impersonate employees or contractors and persuade IT help‑desk staff to register unauthorised devices, bypassing multi‑factor authentication. FBI and cybersecurity experts stress that airlines and third‑party suppliers are at serious risk.

While their flight operations remained unaffected, recent incidents at WestJet and Hawaiian Airlines are consistent with Scattered Spider’s modus operandi. Help‑desk teams are urged to reinforce identity verification protocols to prevent such incursions.

The FBI is collaborating with aviation partners to share intelligence and assist victims. Warnings emphasise prompt reporting of suspicious requests and reviews of help‑desk procedures. In particular, staff should resist pressure to add MFA devices or reset credentials without rigorous authentication, no matter how credible or urgent the request may appear.

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Pentagon backs $10M deal with AI firm to integrate LLMs across its command centres

Pentagon officials have awarded AI firm Ask Sage a $10 million contract to integrate large language models (LLMs) across all US Combatant Commands, the Joint Staff, and the Office of the Secretary of Defence. The collaboration seeks to harness generative AI to speed up battlefield decision‑making and streamline workflows.

Application benefits include operational planning, logistics, command and control, intelligence, cybersecurity, and weapons development. Ask Sage’s AI‑powered tools will be deployed through the US Army’s LLM workspace, seamlessly linking classified and unclassified networks.

Deployment of these models is expected to support more agile, informed military operations while navigating security and data‑sharing challenges inherent to classified environments. The deal marks a strategic continuation of the Pentagon’s wider AI and digital transformation efforts.

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