In a significant blow to its reputation and data security practices, Meta has been fined €91 million ($101.56 million) by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) for a major security lapse dating back to March 2019. The investigation revealed that millions of Facebook and Instagram users' passwords were stored in plaintext, an alarming oversight for a company of Meta's scale and influence.

In an increasingly connected world, the lines between digital security and physical safety are rapidly blurring. The automotive industry, now more reliant on connectivity than ever before, faces a new wave of cybersecurity threats. Millions of Kia vehicles, ranging from the 2013 model year to 2025, were recently found to be vulnerable to remote hacking via license plate information.

Decision 2024 – the ultimate election year – is in full swing, with more than 60 countries holding national elections this cycle. In the United States, where presidential candidates are polling neck and neck and stakes are high, this “first true AI election” has brought election security to the forefront of the conversation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across Asia, driving innovation, economic growth, and societal advancements. However, AI’s profound impact also brings significant governance challenges. As with any transformative technology, robust regulatory frameworks are essential to mitigate risks, ensure ethical use, and protect public interests. Reflecting on the evolution of cybersecurity regulation may provide insight into how AI regulation might develop.

Read also: the US charges money launderers linked to Rescator and Joker’s Stash, a police op dismantles a cybercrime ring in West Africa, and more.

CrowdStrike is excited to announce we are named a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SIEM for Enterprise 2024 Vendor Assessment.1 This marks our first appearance in a SIEM-focused analyst report since bringing CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen SIEM to market less than a year ago. We believe this milestone speaks volumes about our commitment to revolutionizing security operations.

CrowdStrike is proud to be named a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Attack Surface Management Solutions, Q3 2024. Our position as a Leader reinforces our belief that the rapid expansion of modern attack surfaces requires a powerful, unified solution — and CrowdStrike Falcon Exposure Management provides the critical capabilities modern organizations need.

As the digital world continues to grow, so do the threats within it. Cybercrime is no longer just an online inconvenience—it’s a serious issue affecting real lives, families, and communities. In recognition of Cyber Awareness Month this October, The Cyber Helpline is launching a crucial campaign to raise £50,000 to expand and enhance our vital services for victims of online harm.

A ransomware attack is underway. The threat actor has gained initial access to an endpoint and executed malicious code on it. As far as the threat actor is concerned, things are going well. However, the next stage is critical to a ransomware attack’s success. Without the ability to spread throughout the entire environment, encrypting or locking up all systems, threat actors are unlikely to be able to extort payment from an organization.