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The Verge
2 days ago
- The Verge
How vulnerable is critical infrastructure to cyberattack in the US?
Our water, health, and energy systems are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattack. Now, when tensions escalate — like when the US bombed nuclear facilities in Iran this month — the safety of these systems becomes of paramount concern. If conflict erupts, we can expect it to be a 'hybrid' battle, Joshua Corman, executive in residence for public safety & resilience at the Institute for Security and Technology (IST), tells The Verge. 'With great connectivity comes great responsibility.' Battlefields now extend into the digital world, which in turn makes critical infrastructure in the real world a target. I first reached out to IST for their expertise on this issue back in 2021, when a ransomware attack forced the Colonial Pipeline — a major artery transporting nearly half of the east coast's fuel supply — offline for nearly a week. Since then, The Verge has also covered an uptick in cyberattacks against community water systems in the US, and America's attempts to thwart assaults supported by other governments. It's not time to panic, Corman reassures me. But it is important to reevaluate how we safeguard hospitals, water supplies, and other lifelines from cyberattack. There happen to be analog solutions that rely more on physical engineering than putting up cyber firewalls. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. As someone who works on cybersecurity for water and wastewater, healthcare, food supply chains, and power systems — what keeps you up at night? Oh, boy. When you look across what we designate as lifeline critical functions, the basic human needs — water, shelter, safety — those are among some of our most exposed and underprepared. With great connectivity comes great responsibility. And while we're struggling to protect credit card cards or websites or data, we continue to add software and connectivity to lifeline infrastructure like water and power and hospitals. We were always prey. We were just kind of surviving at the appetite of our predators, and they're getting more aggressive. How vulnerable are these systems in the US? You might have seen the uptick in ransomware starting in 2016. Hospitals very quickly became the number one preferred target of ransomware because they're what I call 'target rich, but cyber poor.' The unavailability of their service is pretty dire, so the unavailability can be monetized very easily. You have this kind of asymmetry and unmitigated feeding-frenzy, where it's attractive and easy to attack these lifeline functions. But it's incredibly difficult to get staff, resources, training, budget, to defend these lifeline functions. If you're a small, rural water facility, you don't have any cybersecurity budget. We often usher platitudes of 'just do best practices, just do the NIST framework.' But they can't even stop using end of life, unsupported technology with hard-coded passwords. 'You have this kind of asymmetry and unmitigated feeding-frenzy' It's about 85 percent of the owners and operators of these lifeline critical infrastructure entities that are target rich and cyber poor. Take water systems, for example. Volt Typhoon has been found successfully compromising US water facilities and other lifeline service functions, and it's sitting there in wait, prepositioning. [Editor's note: Volt Typhoon is a People's Republic of China state-sponsored cyber group] China specifically has intentions toward Taiwan as early as 2027. They basically would like the US to stay out of their intentions toward Taiwan. And if we don't, they're willing to disrupt and destroy parts of these very exposed, very prone facilities. The overwhelming majority don't have a single cybersecurity person, haven't heard of Volt Typhoon, let alone know if and how they should defend themselves. Nor do they have the budget to do so. Turning to recent news and the escalation with Iran, is there anything that is more vulnerable at this moment? Are there any unique risks that Iran poses to the US? Whether it's Russia or Iran or China, all of them have shown they are willing and able to reach out to water facilities, power grids, hospitals, etc. I am most concerned about water. No water means no hospital in about four hours. Any loss of pressure to the hospital's pressure zone means no fire suppression, no surgical scrubbing, no sanitation, no hydration. What we have is increasing exposure that we volunteered into with smart, connected infrastructure. We want the benefit, but we haven't paid the price tag yet. And that was okay when this was mostly criminal activity. But now that these points of access can be used in weapons of war, you could see pretty severe disruption in civilian infrastructure. Now, just because you can hit it doesn't mean you will hit it, right? I'm not encouraging panic at the moment over Iran. I think they're quite busy, and if they're going to use those cyber capabilities, it's a safer assumption they would first use them on Israel. Different predators have different appetites, and prey, and motives. Sometimes it's called access brokering, where they're looking for a compromise and they lay in wait for years. Like in critical infrastructure, people don't upgrade their equipment, they use very old things. If you believe that you'll have that access for a long time, you can sit on it and wait patiently until the time and the place of your choosing. Think of this a little bit like Star Wars. The thermal exhaust port on the Death Star is the weak part. If you hit it, you do a lot of damage. We have a lot of thermal exhaust ports all over water and healthcare specifically. What needs to be done now to mitigate these vulnerabilities? We're encouraging something called cyber-informed engineering. What we've found is if a water facility is compromised, abrupt changes in water pressure can lead to a very forceful and damaging surge of water pressure that could burst pipes. If you were to burst the water main for a hospital, there would be no water pressure to the hospital. So if you wanted to say, 'let's make sure the Chinese military can't compromise the water facility,' you'd have to do quite a bit of cybersecurity or disconnect it. What we're encouraging instead, is something much more familiar, practical. Just like in your house, you have a circuit breaker, so if there's too much voltage you flip a switch instead of burning the house down. We have the equivalent of circuit breakers for water, which are maybe $2,000, maybe under $10,000. They can detect a surge in pressure and shut off the pumps to prevent physical damage. We're looking for analog, physical engineering mitigation. 'Think of this a little bit like Star Wars.' If you want to reduce the likelihood of compromise, you add cybersecurity. But if you want to reduce the consequences of compromise, you add engineering. If the worst consequences would be a physically damaging attack, we want to take practical steps that are affordable and familiar. Water plants don't know cyber, but they do know engineering. And if we can meet them on their turf and help explain to them the consequences and then co-create affordable, realistic, temporary mitigations, we can survive long enough to invest properly in cybersecurity later. Federal agencies under the Trump administration have faced budget and staffing cuts, does that lead to greater vulnerabilities as well? How does that affect the security of our critical infrastructure? Independent of people's individual politics, there was an executive order from the White House in March that shifts more of the balance of power and responsibility to states to protect themselves, for cybersecurity resilience. And it's very unfortunate timing given the context we're in and that it would take time to do this safely and effectively. I think, without malice, there has been a confluence of other contributing factors making the situation worse. Some of the budget cuts in CISA, which is the national coordinator across these sectors, is not great. The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center is a key resource for helping the states serve themselves, and that too lost its funding. And as of yet, the Senate has not confirmed a CISA director. We should be increasing our public private partnerships, our federal and state level partnerships and there seems to be bipartisan agreement on that. And yet, across the board, the EPA, Health and Human Services, Department of Energy and CISA have suffered significant reduction in budget and staff and leadership. There's still time to correct that, but we are burning daylight on what I see as a very small amount of time to form the plan, to communicate the plan, and execute the plan. Whether we want this or not, more responsibility for cyber resilience and defense and critical functions is falling to the states, to the counties, to the towns, to individuals. Now is the time to get educated and there is a constellation of nonprofit and civil society efforts — one of them is the good work we're doing with this but we also participate in a larger group called Cyber Civil Defense. And we recently launched a group called the Cyber Resilience Corps, which is a platform for anyone who wants to volunteer to help with cybersecurity for small, medium, rural, or lifeline services. It's also a place for people to find and request these volunteers. We're trying to reduce the friction of asking for help and finding help. I think this is one of those moments in history where we want and need more from governments, but cavalry isn't coming. It's going to fall to us.
Arabian Post
5 days ago
- Arabian Post
Sheriff Breaches Bitcoin ATM to Reclaim $25K From Scam
Jasper County authorities in Texas executed a search warrant to physically open a Bitcoin ATM on June 16, retrieving approximately $32,000 in cash—$25,000 of which a local family had deposited after falling prey to a scammer posing as a government official. Sheriff Chuck Havard authorised the operation after tracing funds to an ATM operated by Bitcoin Depot. Law enforcement agents secured the warrant following a police report that fraudulent calls threatened the family with fines unless they paid via the kiosk. Deputies pulled cash from the machine using a power‑cutting tool, recovering a surplus in addition to the family's deposit. The sheriff defended his actions: 'When thieves, low‑lifes and scammers attempt to take advantage of the citizens of Jasper County, we will work swiftly and utilise every resource at our disposal to protect our citizens and their property at all costs'. He also warned that cryptocurrency‑based fraud cases are notoriously complex and that the perpetrator remains unidentified. ADVERTISEMENT The incident has sparked debate across digital‑currency communities. Some critics argue that damaging ATM infrastructure and seizing funds from an operator may undermine property rights, asserting that the ATM itself—provided by a third party—was collateral damage in the scam. One Redditor remarked: 'Sounds like maybe government employees destroyed an innocent third party's property and stole his money.' This episode highlights a concerning rise in crypto‑ATM scams. The FBI logged nearly 11,000 complaints totaling over $246 million in losses tied to such ATMs in 2024—a 31 percent increase from the previous year—with many victims aged over 60. Citing the surge in fraud, Spokane, Washington, enacted a ban on crypto‑ATMs on June 18, and Australia imposed tighter transaction caps earlier this month. Bitcoin Depot, the ATM's operator, confirmed it works closely with law‑enforcement agencies under AML and KYC protocols, but typically does not supervise cash retrieval directly from kiosks. The nature of cryptocurrency—its decentralisation and pseudonymity—adds obstacles to tracking illicit transfers and returning funds to victims. Although the seized amount exceeds the family's loss, victims must navigate legal processes to claim reimbursement, and success often depends on tracing crypto to identifiable exchanges. Past efforts, such as the U.S. Department of Justice recovering $2.3 million from the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, show that fund recovery is complex and rare. Industry observers say the operation may set a legal precedent for law enforcement intervention in crypto‑ATM fraud. However, critics caution against the public destruction of third‑party property without clear evidence of complicity, warning it could erode trust in digital‑currency infrastructure. Amid growing consumer vulnerabilities, experts call for enhanced public education, robust regulation, and strengthened compliance from ATM operators. Proposed measures include mandatory transaction limits, stricter licensing, real‑time fraud monitoring, and clearer cooperation channels with enforcement agencies. Federal and state authorities are also considering new legislation targeting crypto‑ATM fraud. The Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act, if passed, would require improved operator oversight and clearer protocols for law‑enforcement response. Meanwhile, states like North Dakota and Nebraska have already introduced licensing and transaction‑cap laws. As this case advances, Jasper County officials and Bitcoin Depot are expected to coordinate further to identify the scammer and determine rightful ownership of the recovered assets. The outcome of this operation may shape future legal and regulatory standards governing crypto‑ATM responses to fraud.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
High Profile Cyberattacks Continue to Spur Rapid Adoption of Payment Tokenization Solutions to US$1 Billion Market
LONDON, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Payment tokenization continues to reign supreme in the payments space thanks to its ability to minimize potential points of failure and blunt the impact of failed card authorizations. New forms of payment tokenization are emerging, solidifying its position as an essential piece to the digital transaction's security puzzle. ABI Research, a global technology intelligence firm, forecasts Token Service Provider (TSP) revenue to break the US$1 billion mark by 2031 as heightened data protection concerns, security fears propelled by cyberattacks on critical institutions (notably the Colonial Pipeline incident in 2021, attacks on UK NHS hospitals, and concerns regarding the recent Spain and Portugal blackout), and new PCI-DSS 4.0 requirements spark increased demand for digital security solutions such as tokenization in the payments markets. "Maximizing compliance with data protection and legislative data sovereignty requirements while meeting the ever-growing demand for enhanced efficiency within digital transactions is a precarious balancing act within the payments segment, calling for new and innovative technologies to rise to the challenge. Payment Tokenization has proved a viable solution thus far which has evolved to keep pace with the needs of regulation, security, and technological innovation, demonstrated by the arrival of new forms of tokenization and integration of complementary technologies, including biometrics, with tokenization to bolster its security promises, explains Aisling Dawson," Industry Analyst at ABI Research. Headlining trends in payment tokenization including vaultless tokenization, web-based push provisioning, wearables tokens, and the integration of passkey capabilities instead of 3D Secure processes in desktop environments are expected to stir up further adoption of tokenization solutions and services across the payments ecosystem over the next five to ten years. While North America is expected to continue to lead the pack, Europe's formidable regulatory regime pertaining to data protection and digital payments, rapid digitalization in Latin America, and the head start enjoyed by the Asia-Pacific region on tokenized funds and bonds prime the payment tokenization market for growth on a global scale. Although payment tokenization boasts a strong growth trajectory over the next ten years, whetting Payment Service Providers (PSPs) and merchant's appetite for tokenized payment options will require heavy lifting on both the education and awareness-raising fronts. "Building a strong business case for payment tokenization requires a concrete demonstration of how tokenization solutions alleviate PSPs adherence to relevant regulatory and compliance requirements as well as how the migratory process can be eased for merchants who are reluctant to risk downtime or drops in transaction volumes. Payment Tokenization is well-placed for success, but its utility should be considered holistically across the payments ecosystem if TSPs are to truly optimize their prospects of strong revenue generation in this market," Dawson concludes. These findings are from ABI Research's New Forms of Payment Tokenization report. This report is part of the company's Digital Payment Technologies research service, which includes research, data, and ABI Insights. About ABI Research ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology solution providers and end-market companies. We serve as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by providing exclusive research and expert guidance to drive successful technology implementations and deliver strategies proven to attract and retain customers. ABI Research是一家全球性的技术情报公司，拥有得天独厚的优势，充当终端市场公司和技术解决方案提供商之间的桥梁，通过提供独家研究和专业性指导，推动成功的技术实施和提供经证明可吸引和留住客户的战略，无缝连接这两大主体。 For more information about ABI Research's services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit Contact Info: GlobalJason ScheerTel: +1.516.624.2562pr@ View original content: SOURCE ABI Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Electrical Power Pole Market to Reach $21.9 billion, Globally, by 2034 at 5.5% CAGR: Allied Market Research
The electrical power pole market is driven by rising electricity demand, rural electrification, grid modernization, and renewable energy integration. Growth is restrained by high installation costs, regulatory challenges, and the environmental impact of wooden poles. However, opportunities lie in smart grid infrastructure, increasing investments in transmission and distribution networks, and the adoption of composite and steel poles for enhanced durability. Urbanization and electrification in developing regions further boost long-term market potential despite short-term economic and logistical constraints. WILMINGTON, DEL., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Electrical Power Pole Market By Type (Steel, Concrete, Wood, Others), By Application (Distribution power lines, Transmission power lines): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034". According to the report, the "electrical power pole market" was valued at $12.9 billion in 2024, and is estimated to reach $21.9 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2025 to 2034. Download PDF Brochure: Macroeconomic & Geopolitical Impact The electrical power pole market is significantly influenced by macroeconomic and geopolitical factors that shape its growth trajectory. Macroeconomically, rapid urbanization and infrastructure development, particularly in Asia-Pacific regions like China and India, are driving substantial demand for utility poles to support expanding power distribution networks. Additionally, the global push towards renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, necessitates new transmission lines, thereby increasing the demand for utility poles. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2022, global renewable energy capacity increased by 280 GW, underscoring the need for more utility poles to support these infrastructures. The deployment of 5G networks and smart grid technologies further amplifies this demand, with estimates suggesting that 5G will cover up to 45% of the global population by 2025, requiring extensive utility pole installations. Geopolitically, resource nationalism has emerged as a significant factor, with countries imposing tariffs and export restrictions on critical minerals essential for energy infrastructure. For example, the U.S. imposed tariffs on Chinese mineral imports, and China retaliated by halting exports of crucial minerals to the U.S., complicating international supply chains and increasing costs for utility pole manufacturers. Moreover, energy infrastructures are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, posing risks to power distribution networks. Notable incidents include the Colonial Pipeline breach in 2021 and attacks on Ukraine's power grid, necessitating investments in more secure and resilient utility infrastructure. Environmental regulations also impact the market; in regions like the U.S., the use of traditional materials such as treated wood is being scrutinized due to environmental concerns, leading to a shift towards more sustainable materials like composite or recycled alternatives. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024–2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $12.9 Billion Market Size in 2033 $21.9 Billion CAGR 5.5 % No. of Pages in Report 230 Segments Covered Type, Application, and Region. Drivers Urbanization and Infrastructure Development Rural Electrification Initiatives Opportunities Expansion of renewable energy projects Restraints High Installation and Maintenance Costs The steel segment is expected to lead throughout the forecast period with a CAGR of 5.6%. By type, the steel segment was the highest revenue contributor to the market growing with a CAGR of 5.6%. One of the main drivers of the growing use of steel electrical power poles is their longer lifespan and low maintenance requirements. While wooden poles may last around 25–30 years with regular maintenance, steel poles can last 40–60 years or more with minimal upkeep. This longevity reduces lifecycle costs and the frequency of replacements, making steel poles economically attractive in the long run despite higher initial investment costs. Additionally, steel poles are non-combustible and less likely to contribute to or be damaged by wildfires, which is an important safety consideration in many regions prone to forest fires. Procure Complete Report (230 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ The distribution power lines segment is expected to lead throughout the forecast period with a CAGR of 5.4%. By application, the distribution power lines segment was the highest revenue contributor to the market growing with a CAGR of 5.4%. Electrical power poles are fundamental components in distribution power lines, serving as the primary support structures that hold overhead power lines above ground. Their primary function is to maintain the proper height and alignment of electrical conductors, thereby ensuring the safe and efficient transmission of electricity from substations to end users, such as residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. The growth for distribution power lines segment is fueled by substantial investments aimed at expanding and upgrading distribution infrastructure. For instance, in the United States, over USD 270 billion has been announced for utility-scale renewable energy projects, necessitating enhancements in high-voltage distribution lines to accommodate the increased load. Also, in India, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) announced an investment of $1,865 million under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in 2022 to strengthen Maharashtra's power distribution infrastructure. This initiative encompasses the establishment of 377 new substations, installation of approximately 29,893 distribution transformers, and expansion of high-tension overhead and underground lines. The objective is to provide quality, reliable, and affordable electricity to consumers across the state. Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2033 growing with a CAGR of 5.7%. Asia-Pacific was the highest revenue contributor, growing at a CAGR of 5.7%. The electrical power pole market in the Asia-Pacific region is witnessing steady growth, driven by ongoing rural electrification, infrastructure modernization, and the expansion of power transmission and distribution networks. Countries such as India, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam are making significant investments in improving access to electricity and upgrading aging grid infrastructure. This trend is further supported by rapid urbanization, industrial development, and growth in demand for reliable power supply in both urban and semi-urban areas. The market is also experiencing a shift towards more durable and sustainable materials, such as composite and metal poles, in addition to traditional wooden and concrete options. Government initiatives aimed at strengthening the power sector and enhancing grid stability are playing a crucial role in propelling the demand for electrical power poles across the region. Connect To Industry Expert: Key Players: - Essential Energy Jiangsu Xinjinlei Steel Industry Co., Ltd. Kasper Engineering Private Limited Ventura Salasar Energy Industries Limited Jiangsu Hongguang Steel Pole Co.,Ltd. Nippon Concrete Industries Co., Ltd. Electro Poles Products Pvt. Ltd. Zhejiang Debao Tower Manufacturing Co.,Ltd. Eastar Electric Group Key Industry Trends The adoption of smart electric poles is accelerating globally, particularly in major urban centers like New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto, as cities aim to enhance infrastructure, public safety, and connectivity. In New York City, the LinkNYC initiative has transformed over 1,800 outdated payphones into digital kiosks providing free gigabit Wi-Fi, USB charging, and emergency services. Building on this, the city introduced 32-foot Link5G poles in 2022, equipped with 5G antennas, environmental sensors, and surveillance cameras to improve connectivity in underserved neighborhoods. Los Angeles has implemented one of the largest smart street lighting projects, integrating energy-efficient LEDs and IoT technology, resulting in a 60% reduction in energy use and improved public safety. Toronto is also embracing smart pole technology, with installations featuring LED lighting, Wi-Fi hotspots, and environmental monitoring systems to support its smart city objectives. Moreover, Connecticut is advancing its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure by repurposing existing utility poles into charging stations. In March 2025, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) selected Voltpost, a company based in San Francisco and New York, for an 18-month pilot program. This initiative involves retrofitting 50 utility poles across the state to install 100 charging ports, aiming for completion by the fourth quarter of 2026. The chargers will be located within the service areas of United Illuminating Co. and Eversource Energy, with users accessing them via a mobile app. This project supports Connecticut's goal of electrifying all state agency fleet vehicles by 2030. Currently, only 1.2% of vehicles registered in the state are electric, highlighting the need for expanded charging infrastructure. Estimates suggest that an additional 1,500 charging ports are required by 2025 to meet anticipated demand. By utilizing existing infrastructure, this approach offers a cost-effective and efficient solution to accelerate EV adoption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global electrical power pole industry. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario. Trending Reports in Energy & Power Industry: Utility Poles Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis, 2023-2032 Metal Utility Poles Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Analysis Report, 2023-2032 Smart Pole System Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Wood Utility Poles Market Statistics and Competitive Landscape Report, 2023-2032 Overhead Power Cables Market Size, Share, Competitive and Trend Analysis, 2023-2032 Power Distribution Component Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2032 About us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. Contact us:David Correa1209 Orange Street,Corporation Trust Center,Wilmington, New Castle,Delaware 19801 +1-503-894-6022Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285Fax: +1-800-792-5285help@ Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube Logo: View original content: SOURCE Allied Market Research
TECHx
01-05-2025
- Business
- TECHx
SANS Institute Brings Free Cybersecurity Training to GISEC 2025
Home » GISEC » GISEC 2025 » SANS Institute Brings Free Cybersecurity Training to GISEC 2025 SANS Institute, a global cybersecurity training and certification company, will take part in GISEC Global 2025 from May 6 to 8 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This year, SANS joins the event as a strategic partner, emphasizing its long-term commitment to building cybersecurity skills in the region. As part of the partnership, SANS will host the SANS GISEC Academy in Hall 4. This is a community-driven initiative offering three days of free technical training sessions. Led by SANS Certified Instructors, these sessions aim to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities across the UAE and the wider Middle East. Each day will cover a different cybersecurity focus area: Day 1 – Offensive Operations with Jean-François Maes. Topics include malware evasion, OSINT exposure in cloud environments, and vulnerabilities from over ten years of penetration testing. with Jean-François Maes. Topics include malware evasion, OSINT exposure in cloud environments, and vulnerabilities from over ten years of penetration testing. Day 2 – Cyber Defense with Ian Reynolds. Sessions explore deception-based defenses, AI and deepfakes, and advanced threat hunting. with Ian Reynolds. Sessions explore deception-based defenses, AI and deepfakes, and advanced threat hunting. Day 3 – ICS/OT Security with Michael Hoffman. Content includes real-world case studies like the Colonial Pipeline and Ukraine grid attacks. The sessions are designed for analysts, SOC managers, professionals, and decision-makers looking to enhance both tactical and strategic skills. Ned Baltagi, Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at SANS Institute, said AI-powered threats are changing the game. 'From deepfake-enabled fraud to intelligent ransomware, cybersecurity teams must move from reactive defense to intelligence-driven prevention,' he said. 'Cybersecurity is not just a job responsibility. It's a shared mission for national resilience.' In addition to the academy, Rob T Lee, Chief of Research at SANS Institute, will speak at two key GISEC Global 2025 sessions. On May 6, at the Dark Stage, he will present: 'The AI Acceleration: Defending Critical Infrastructure Against Emerging Intelligent Threats.' The talk will examine AI in cyberattacks, the evolving Volt/Salt Typhoon method, and defense strategies using real-time data. On May 7, he will take part in a Critical Infrastructure Stage panel. The discussion will explore how precision AI and machine learning can protect OT environments. According to Lee, modern attackers use tools that can generate realistic malware, deepfakes, and large-scale phishing campaigns in minutes. 'The challenge isn't just identifying threats—it's keeping pace with how fast they evolve,' he said. Attendees can visit SANS at Stand D75, Hall 7, to meet with senior executives and learn more about the training offerings. SANS Institute will also continue its regional training efforts with four upcoming events in May: SANS Doha – May 10–15 – May 10–15 SANS Riyadh – May 10–22 – May 10–22 SANS Abu Dhabi – May 18–23 – May 18–23 SANS Dubai – May 25–30 These initiatives underline SANS' commitment to advancing cybersecurity expertise across the Middle East.
