Cybersecurity Archives | Page 362 of 392 | Digital Watch Observatory

Nokia and Swisscom collaborate on Swiss drone network

The Finnish tech magnate has teamed up with Swisscom to deploy a drones network across Switzerland aimed at enhancing emergency response and infrastructure inspections. The partnership will see the Finnish telecom company providing 300 unmanned aerial vehicles, operated by Swisscom through a drones-as-a-service (DaaS) network, allowing public safety agencies and other clients to use drones on demand without the need to purchase or operate them.

Swiss public safety organisations, including police and fire services, will be able to request drone flights from Swisscom Broadcast, using the technology to gather crucial data during emergencies. The network will also facilitate the remote inspection of infrastructure such as power lines, solar panels, and oil and gas facilities, reducing the need to send personnel into potentially hazardous situations, according to Thomas Eder, Nokia’s head of embedded wireless.

As drones increasingly find applications beyond military use, including in delivery services and agriculture, there remain concerns about privacy, noise, and safety. Nokia and Swisscom have pledged to work closely with aviation and spectrum regulators to ensure compliance with data protection laws, including the establishment of no-fly zones over sensitive areas like beaches and swimming pools.

Nokia’s venture into drone technology comes as the company continues to innovate, recently introducing immersive technology for phone calls and agreeing to sell its submarine networks to the French state for $374 million. The global industrial drone market is currently valued at between $32 billion and $35 billion, reflecting the growing importance of such technologies in various sectors.

California’s AI regulation bill sparks industry backlash

California has become the focal point in the debate over regulating AI as a new bill, SB 1047, advances through the state legislature. The bill, which has drawn significant opposition from AI startups and tech giants, proposes safety measures for large AI models to prevent ‘catastrophic harm,’ such as cyberattacks or mass casualties. The legislation would require developers to conduct safety tests and ensure that humans can shut down AI systems if they pose a danger.

Critics argue that the bill needs to be more specific and could stifle innovation in California. Opponents, including major companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Google, have voiced concerns about the bill’s broad and undefined requirements. They fear it could lead to legal uncertainties and discourage the public release of AI models, harming the state’s vibrant tech ecosystem.

The bill has already passed several legislative hurdles but faces strong resistance as it moves toward a final vote. While its author, Democratic state senator Scott Wiener, is open to amendments, he maintains that the bill aligns with safety standards already adopted by the industry. However, many in the tech community still need to be convinced, citing potential legal and operational challenges if the bill becomes law.

Why does this matter?

The outcome of this legislative battle could have far-reaching implications for AI regulation across the United States, as California often sets the precedent for other states. As the debate continues, the tech industry is closely watching how the state will balance innovation with the need for safety and regulation in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

Elon Musk under fire as social media giant X implicated in fuelling UK riots

Elon Musk is under fire for his social media posts, which many believe have exacerbated the ongoing riots in Britain. Musk, known for his provocative online presence, has shared riot footage on his platform, X, and made controversial remarks, including predicting a ‘civil war’ and criticising Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the British government for prioritising speech policing over community safety.

The unrest began after a stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, England, resulted in the deaths of three young girls. Allegedly, false information spread online suggested the attacker was an illegal Muslim immigrant. However, the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, is a 17-year-old born in Cardiff, Wales, with unknown religious affiliation, though his parents are from predominantly Christian Rwanda.

Despite the facts, anti-immigrant protests have erupted in at least 15 cities across Britain, leading to the most significant civil disorder since 2011. Rioters have targeted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, with much violence directed at the police.

Prime Minister Starmer has criticised social media companies for allowing violent disinformation to spread. He specifically called out Musk for reinstating banned far-right figures, including activist Tommy Robinson. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has met with representatives from major tech companies like TikTok, Meta, Google, and X to stress their duty to curb the spread of harmful misinformation.

Publicly, Musk has argued that the government should focus on its duties, mocking Starmer and questioning the UK’s approach to policing speech.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has stated that social media has amplified disinformation, promising government action against tech giants and online criminality. However, Britain’s Online Safety Act, which mandates platforms to address illegal content, will be fully effective next year. Meanwhile, the EU’s Digital Services Act, which Britain is no longer part of, is already in effect.

Microsoft and Delta clash over cyber outage

A prolonged recovery from a global cyber outage has been attributed to Delta Air Lines by Microsoft, following over 6,000 cancelled flights. The issue began with a software update by CrowdStrike, which caused system problems for various Microsoft customers. While other airlines recovered quickly, Delta continued to face disruptions.

Delta has defended its IT investments, citing billions spent since 2016 on both capital and operating costs. Despite this, flight disruptions affected hundreds of thousands of travellers, costing the airline an estimated $500 million. An investigation by the US Transportation Department is now underway, and Delta has hired litigator David Boies to seek damages from CrowdStrike and Microsoft.

Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian criticised Microsoft and CrowdStrike for failing to provide exceptional service, calling Microsoft’s platform “fragile.” Microsoft responded, labelling Delta’s comments as false and damaging. The tech giant insisted it had offered assistance to Delta, which was declined.

CrowdStrike also denied responsibility for the disruptions, with its CEO personally offering onsite help to Delta without receiving a reply. Microsoft has vowed to defend itself vigorously if a lawsuit is filed, and tensions between the airline and tech companies remain high.

Amazon reveals Mithra to enhance network security

The multinational technology magnate has unveiled an internal security platform designed to handle the immense scale of the company’s network. Built on a vast graph database, Mithra helps Amazon manage and protect its systems by filtering vast amounts of data to identify and neutralise malicious domains. Chief Information Security Officer C.J. Moses likens Mithra to a funnel, narrowing down data until human intervention is minimal.

Mithra’s integration with Sonaris, Amazon’s network observation platform, creates a robust defensive net around Amazon’s environments. AI and machine learning are essential for managing the large-scale data, with AI models trained to detect anomalies and potential threats. Generative AI further assists threat analysts by allowing them to interact with data in plain language, enhancing decision-making efficiency.

Amazon’s proactive approach extends beyond technology. The company maintains a strong network of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to facilitate rapid communication and collaboration in times of crisis. The unveiling of Mithra comes as Amazon faces scrutiny over its AI deal with startup Adept and accountability issues for hazardous products in the United States.

Major firms turn to Lumen for AI needs

Telecommunications firm Lumen Technologies has secured $5 billion in new deals from cloud and tech companies for its networking and cybersecurity solutions. These agreements come as more businesses rush to adapt AI-driven technologies. One notable deal involves Microsoft, which will use Lumen’s network equipment to expand its capacity for AI workloads.

Lumen, which provides secure digital connections for data centres, announced ongoing discussions with customers to secure an additional $7 billion in sales opportunities. The surge in AI adoption has led enterprises across multiple sectors to invest heavily in building infrastructure capable of supporting AI-powered applications.

Major corporations are increasingly seeking high-capacity fibre, a resource becoming valuable and potentially scarce due to growing AI requirements. Lumen’s AI-ready infrastructure and expansive network are key factors driving this demand. According to CEO Kate Johnson, this marks the beginning of a significant opportunity that could lead to one of the largest expansions of the internet ever.

In response to rising demand, Lumen has established a new division, Custom Networks, to oversee its Private Connectivity Fabric solutions portfolio. The division aims to meet the increasing needs of various organisations for secure and reliable connectivity solutions.

Air travellers sue CrowdStrike over global outage

CrowdStrike is facing legal challenges following a major global computer outage that disrupted air travel and affected various sectors, including banks and hospitals. A proposed class action lawsuit filed in Austin, Texas, alleges that the cybersecurity company’s negligence in testing and deploying its software caused the outage. The plaintiffs, who are air travellers, claim they incurred significant expenses and inconvenience as they scrambled to reach their destinations.

Many travellers had to spend hundreds of dollars on lodging, meals, and alternative travel arrangements, with some even experiencing health issues from sleeping on airport floors. The plaintiffs argue that CrowdStrike should compensate those affected by the disruption, citing previous technology-related flight groundings that made the outage foreseeable. CrowdStrike has stated that it believes the case lacks merit and plans to defend itself vigorously.

The outage was caused by a flawed software update that crashed over 8 million computers worldwide. Delta Air Lines, which cancelled more than 6,000 flights at a cost of about $500 million, has indicated it may take legal action against CrowdStrike. The airline declined CrowdStrike’s offer of assistance, and a US Department of Transportation probe is underway to determine why Delta took longer to recover compared to other airlines.

CrowdStrike’s stock price dropped by about one-third following the incident, prompting a shareholder lawsuit. Despite the mounting legal pressures, CrowdStrike maintains that it was neither grossly negligent nor at fault for the problems faced by Delta. The outcome of these legal battles could have significant implications for the cybersecurity company.

SEMI Europe urges EU to limit investment restrictions

SEMI Europe, a leading semiconductor industry group, urged the EU to minimise restrictions on outbound investments in foreign chip technology. The EU is considering proposals to screen such investments, which could impact European funding in the global semiconductor, AI, and biotechnology sectors. However, no decisions are expected until 2025.

The US has already proposed rules to limit investments in China to protect national security and prevent the transfer of advanced technology. SEMI Europe argues that excessive restrictions could hinder European companies’ ability to invest and innovate, potentially compromising their competitive edge.

The organisation criticised the EU’s potential policies as too broad, suggesting they could force companies to reveal sensitive information and disrupt international research collaborations. SEMI Europe represents over 300 European semiconductor firms and institutions, including major players like ASML, Infineon, and STMicroelectronics.

In addition to outbound investment screening, the EU is advancing legislation to monitor foreign investments in critical European infrastructure and technology to address potential security risks.

Chinese firms stockpile HBM chips amid US export restrictions

Chinese tech giants, including Huawei and Baidu, and startups are stockpiling high bandwidth memory (HBM) semiconductors from Samsung Electronics in anticipation of potential US export restrictions. The ramped-up purchasing began earlier this year, with China accounting for about 30% of Samsung’s HBM chip revenue in the first half of 2024. This strategic plan reflects China’s efforts to maintain its technological ambitions amid increasing trade tensions with the US and other Western nations, impacting the global semiconductor supply chain.

US authorities will soon announce an export control package, including new shipment restrictions to China’s semiconductor industry. The new package of measures will likely detail limits on access to HBM chips, although specific details and potential impacts remain unclear.

HBM chips are essential for developing advanced processors, such as Nvidia’s graphics processing units, used for generative AI since only three bigger chipmakers, SK Hynix, Samsung, and US-based Micron Technology, produce these kinds of chips.

Chinese demand has focused on the HBM2E model, two generations behind the latest HBM3E. Due to the global AI boom, the advanced model is in short supply. Chinese companies, from satellite manufacturers to tech firms like Tencent, have purchased these chips. Huawei has used Samsung’s HBM2E semiconductors for its advanced Ascend AI chip, and other firms like Hawking have also placed orders.

While Chinese firms like Huawei and CXMT are making progress in developing HBM2 chips, their efforts could be hindered by the new US restrictions. Samsung may face a major impact from these restrictions compared to its rivals, as it relies more on the Chinese market. SK Hynix, focusing on advanced HBM chip production, has nearly sold out its HBM chips for the next two years, while Micron has already stopped selling its HBM products to China since last year.

TikTok challenges DOJ’s secret evidence request

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are urging a US appeals court to dismiss the Justice Department’s request to keep parts of its legal case against TikTok confidential. The government aims to file over 15% of its brief and 30% of its evidence in secret, which TikTok argues would hinder its ability to challenge any potentially incorrect factual claims.

The Justice Department, which has not commented publicly, recently filed a classified document outlining security concerns regarding ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok. The document includes declarations from the FBI and other national security agencies.

The government contends that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses a significant national security threat due to its access to vast amounts of personal data from American users and China’s potential for information manipulation.

In response, TikTok maintains that it has never and will never share US user data with China or manipulate video content as alleged. The company suggests appointing a district court judge as a special master to review the classified submissions if the court does not reject the secret evidence.

The Biden administration has asked the court to dismiss lawsuits filed by TikTok, ByteDance, and TikTok creators that aim to block a law requiring the divestiture of TikTok’s US assets by 19 January or face a ban. Despite the lack of evidence that the Chinese government has accessed US user data, the Justice Department insists that the potential risk remains too significant to ignore.