Officials from the United States and Israel have refuted claims of approving the sale of Israeli spyware firm Paragon to Florida-based AE Industrial Partners. Reports of the transaction surfaced in Israeli media, suggesting both governments had greenlit the deal, but US and Israeli representatives dismissed these assertions.
The White House clarified that the sale was a private transaction with no formal US approval, while Israel‘s Defence Ministry stated it was still evaluating the deal. Paragon, linked to former Israeli intelligence officers, has faced scrutiny in the US market, including a paused $2 million contract with ICE.
The alleged acquisition has drawn attention due to Paragon’s ties to national security and controversial surveillance software. Both AE and Paragon have not yet commented on the situation.
Manila Central University (MCU) has partnered with Fortinet, a global leader in cybersecurity, through its Academic Partner Program to address the growing talent shortage in the Philippines. That collaboration aims to equip students with essential skills to meet industry demands by integrating Fortinet’s Network Security Expert (NSE) training and certification program into the university’s curriculum, either as coursework or standalone offerings.
Faculty members will receive advanced training, and students will benefit from guest lectures, practical exercises, and hands-on learning in areas like network security, malware analysis, and defence strategies. Additionally, the partnership includes establishing a state-of-the-art Cyber Innovation Lab to provide immersive learning experiences.
The initiative aligns with findings from Fortinet’s ‘Cybersecurity Skills Gap 2024 Global Research Report,’ which revealed that 94% of organisations in the Philippines experienced security breaches in 2023, with 77% partly attributed to a lack of cybersecurity skills. MCU joins nine other institutions, including Mapúa University and Mindanao State University-Sulu, in Fortinet’s nationwide effort to strengthen cybersecurity education.
The partnership also represents a significant step toward bridging the cybersecurity skills gap in the Philippines. By combining Fortinet’s expertise with MCU’s academic foundation, the program offers students industry-recognised certifications and practical knowledge needed to excel as cybersecurity professionals.
Why does it matter?
The initiative addresses immediate challenges highlighted in the report and strengthens the country’s capacity to defend against evolving digital threats, ensuring a robust pipeline of future professionals ready to meet global cybersecurity standards.
The United States has charged Rostislav Panev, a Russian-Israeli dual citizen, for his alleged role as a developer for the Lockbit ransomware group, which authorities describe as one of the world’s most destructive cybercrime operations. Panev, arrested in Israel in August, awaits extradition.
Lockbit, active since 2019, targeted over 2,500 victims across 120 countries, including critical infrastructure and businesses, extorting $500 million. Recent arrests, guilty pleas, and international law enforcement efforts have significantly disrupted the group’s activities.
Experts say law enforcement actions have tarnished Lockbit’s reputation, reducing its attacks and deterring affiliates. Authorities emphasise the importance of holding cybercriminals accountable.
Sparkle and Fincantieri have formed a strategic partnership to protect submarine telecommunications cables, which are crucial for global connectivity and national security. The collaboration aims to develop innovative technological solutions for securing subsea infrastructure, ensuring its resilience in the face of emerging threats.
By combining Fincantieri’s expertise in underwater technology and shipbuilding with Sparkle’s vast fibre-optic network, the two companies plan to enhance the operational security of these vital systems. Sparkle, with over 600,000 km of fibre-optic cables across multiple continents, has long prioritised the protection of submarine cables through advanced monitoring and security measures.
That partnership is part of broader strategy of Italy to boost technological development and international competitiveness, focusing on safeguarding critical infrastructures fundamental to digital connectivity and economic growth. The collaboration also strengthens Italy’s leadership in digital innovation, with Fincantieri focusing on submarine infrastructure protection and Sparkle enhancing resilience in partnership with the Italian Navy and Polo Nazionale della dimensione Subacquea.
NETSCOUT SYSTEMS announced significant updates to its Arbor Edge Defense (AED) and Arbor Enterprise Manager (AEM) products as part of its Adaptive DDoS Protection solution. These enhancements are designed to address the growing threats of AI-enabled DDoS attacks, which have surged in sophistication and frequency.
Application-layer and volumetric attacks have increased by 43% and 30%, respectively, with DDoS-for-hire services making attacks easier to execute. To combat these evolving threats, NETSCOUT leverages AI and machine learning (ML) within its ATLAS Threat Intelligence system, which monitors over 550 Tbps of real-time internet traffic across 500 ISPs and 2,000 enterprise sites worldwide.
The AI/ML-powered solution enables dynamic threat identification and mitigation, creating a scalable, proactive defence mechanism. The updated AED and AEM products automate a closed-loop DDoS attack detection and mitigation process, providing real-time protection by adapting to changing attack vectors and applying mitigation recommendations automatically.
NETSCOUT’s solution also offers comprehensive protection across hybrid IT environments, including on-premise infrastructure, private data centres, and public cloud platforms like AWS and Microsoft Azure, with enhancements such as 200 Gbps mitigation capacity, high-performance decryption, and visibility into non-DDoS threats.
By minimising downtime and safeguarding business-critical services, NETSCOUT’s Adaptive DDoS Protection reduces business risks and protects productivity and reputation. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, organisations can rely on NETSCOUT’s innovative technology to stay ahead of attackers and maintain IT resilience. Industry experts and agencies like the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) highlight the need for adaptive cybersecurity measures. NETSCOUT’s AI/ML-driven solutions meet these demands by offering robust, future-proof protection for critical IT infrastructure.
Stc Bahrain has partnered with Huawei to launch the fourth edition of its successful Technical Capacity Program, aligning with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 to foster digital innovation and talent development. The program aims to advance Bahrain’s digital economy by providing extensive training in critical ICT sectors, including networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, and emerging technologies.
Participants will gain hands-on experience through technology showcases, engaging with the latest industry advancements and best practices. This year, the program will expand across stc Bahrain’s entire technology divisions, including Digital, Business, Wholesale, Consumer, and Customer Experience, reflecting the company’s commitment to empowering its workforce and driving the country’s digital transformation.
The initiative plays a key role in stc Bahrain’s broader digital transformation strategy by equipping employees with the skills necessary to innovate and lead in the telecommunications sector. The program is vital for nurturing a culture of continuous learning and talent development.
Through this collaboration, stc Bahrain is contributing to developing a highly skilled ICT workforce in Bahrain and supporting the kingdom’s goal of achieving sustainable economic growth and leadership in the digital space.
China has enacted new regulations asserting state ownership over rare earth materials, critical for semiconductor production, with a rule effective from October 1. Additionally, on December 3, the Ministry of Commerce announced a ban on the export of dual-use items such as gallium, germanium, and antimony to the US. These moves are expected to impact industries reliant on these materials, especially solar cell production and semiconductor manufacturing.
As the world’s largest supplier of rare earths, China has long dominated the market due to its lax environmental regulations, which allow for large-scale extraction and refining. However, with many countries looking to reduce their dependency on China, the long-term effectiveness of these export restrictions may diminish. Nations like the US and Australia are expanding their rare earth production lines, and efforts to recycle rare earth materials are also gaining traction.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain in replicating China’s refining capabilities, as many countries are limited by technical and environmental obstacles. Notably, the US has partnered with Australia’s Lynas Corporation to build a rare earth extraction facility, aiming to strengthen its supply chain.
The future of the rare earth market may shift toward the development of substitute materials, although creating viable replacements is a time-consuming process. In this ongoing battle, China has already secured patents for some high-performance materials that could serve as alternatives, indicating that the competition could soon turn to technological innovation and patent rights.
A US judge has ruled against Israel’s NSO Group in a lawsuit brought by WhatsApp, finding the spyware firm liable for hacking and breach of contract. The case, heard in Oakland, California, revolves around allegations that NSO exploited a vulnerability in WhatsApp to install Pegasus spyware, enabling unauthorised surveillance of 1,400 individuals. The court decision moves the case forward to determine damages.
Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, described the ruling as a triumph for privacy, emphasising the need for accountability in the spyware industry. WhatsApp expressed gratitude for support from various organisations and pledged continued efforts to safeguard private communications. Cybersecurity experts, including Citizen Lab’s John Scott-Railton, hailed the judgment as a pivotal moment for holding spyware companies accountable.
NSO argued that its Pegasus software serves to combat serious crime and threats to national security. However, the courts previously rejected claims of immunity, noting the company’s activities fell outside the protection of federal law. Appeals by NSO to higher courts, including the US Supreme Court, failed, paving the way for the trial to proceed.
The judgment signals a significant shift in how the spyware industry may be regulated, with implications for firms previously claiming they were not responsible for the misuse of their technology. Experts see it as a warning to surveillance companies that illegal actions will not go unchallenged.
US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday that Bo Hines, a former congressional candidate from North Carolina, will serve as executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets. The council, a newly formed body under Trump’s administration, will focus on shaping US policy on cryptocurrencies and digital assets. It will be chaired by David Sacks, a prominent venture capitalist and tech entrepreneur who has been dubbed the incoming administration’s ‘crypto czar.’
Hines, a political newcomer who gained attention during his congressional campaign, has been a vocal supporter of blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionise finance. In his new role, Hines will work closely with Sacks to advise the administration on regulatory frameworks, market opportunities, and the integration of digital assets into the broader economy. The appointment signals a potential shift in federal policy toward a more active and structured approach to managing the growing influence of cryptocurrencies.
David Sacks, known for his extensive experience in the tech sector and his advocacy for decentralised finance, is expected to play a leading role in the council’s direction. His appointment reflects the administration’s interest in fostering innovation while addressing concerns about security, fraud, and market stability. Together, Sacks and Hines will oversee a team of experts tasked with navigating the complexities of the digital asset landscape, aiming to position the United States as a global leader in the rapidly evolving sector.
Trump’s creation of the council underscores the importance of cryptocurrencies and blockchain in the modern economy. As the sector continues to expand, the administration’s policies could have far-reaching implications for innovation, financial regulation, and the global competitiveness of the US digital asset industry.
President-elect Donald Trump hinted at allowing TikTok to continue operating in the US, at least temporarily, citing the platform’s significant role in his presidential campaign. Speaking to conservative supporters in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump shared that his campaign content had garnered billions of views on TikTok, describing it as a “beautiful” success that made him reconsider the app’s future.
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has faced pressure from US lawmakers to divest the app over national security concerns, with allegations that Chinese control of TikTok poses risks to American data. The US Supreme Court is set to decide on the matter, as ByteDance challenges a law that could force divestment. Without a favourable ruling or compliance with the law, TikTok could face a US ban by January 19, just before Trump takes office.
Trump’s openness to TikTok contrasts with bipartisan support for stricter measures against the app. While the Justice Department argues that Chinese ties to TikTok remain a security threat, TikTok counters that its user data and operations are managed within the US, with storage handled by Oracle and moderation decisions made domestically. Despite ongoing legal battles, Trump’s remarks and a recent meeting with TikTok’s CEO suggest he sees potential in maintaining the platform’s presence in the US market.
