Techstrong News Recap – July 13, 2023
On July 13, William Willis covered Europe and the U.S.’s agreement on a privacy pact for data transfers across the Atlantic, the EU clearing Broadcom’s $61 billion acquisition of VMware and China refuting Microsoft’s recent state-backed attackers claim. He also talked about the HCA Healthcare data breach that affected 11 million patients. Finally, he previewed articles from Techstrong.ai, DevOps.com and Security Boulevard, which covered using AI to fuel artistic experimentation, JFrog adding a curation capability for open source components and a survey showing concerned about the rise of infostealer malware.
Transcript
Hi again. Everyone hear are the headlines for July 13th. First up, the European Union in the United States have reached a new agreement called the EU US Data Privacy Framework to address concerns about the privacy of personal data transferred across the Atlantic.
This allows companies to transfer information from Europe to the US without additional security measures. The framework infected from Tuesday includes strengthened safeguards against data collection abuses, and offers avenues for a redress. Business groups have welcomed the decision as it provides a legal pathway for cross-border data flows to continue the deal implemented through an executive order signed by the US President, Joe Biden aims to resolve the longstanding clash between EU strict data privacy rules and the less comprehensive US ones.
The European Commission has deemed the framework to provide an adequate level of protection for personal data comparable to the eus own stringent data protection standards. Zooming out tech giants like Google and Meta have faced uncertainty regarding the handling of European data used for targeted advertising. However, privacy groups are criticizing the new agreement stating that it failed to address core issues of data transfers.
Next, the European Union has approved. Broadcom's proposed 61 billion acquisition of CL the cloud technology company. VMware after the chip and software maker made concessions to address competition concerns.
Broadcom aims to strengthen its presence in the cloud computing market by acquiring VMware, which offers technology that enables the integration of public cloud access with internal networks. Broadcom has committed to providing access and system connections to its only existing rival Marvel, as well as potential future competitors satisfying European commission's, antitrust enforcers. This being said, the approval is conditional on Broadcom fulfilling its commitments for a period of 10 years with compliance being monitored by an independent trustee.
However, the deal still faces scrutiny from the UK's competition regulator too. In other news, China has dismissed Microsoft's report about a China based hacking group, breaching government linked email accounts as disinformation aimed at diverting attention from US cyber activities. Microsoft has identified the group as Storm 0 5 5 8 and stated that it gained access to email accounts associated with 25 organizations including Western European government agencies.
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman called the accusation false and claimed that the US is the world's largest hacker empire engaging in cyber theft. Microsoft has collaborated with relevant US agencies to prevent further breaches, and it is monitoring the activities of the storm. 0 5 5 8 hackers.
This comes after our previous reports of suspected state backed Chinese hackers targeting critical infrastructure and utilizing security vulnerabilities to infiltrate networks. Next, HCA Healthcare, a major medical provider operating hospitals in the US and Britain has reported a data breach that HA may have compromised the personal information of approximately 11 million patients across 20 states. States.
A hacker attempted to sell samples of the stolen data, including addresses, phone numbers, emails, and birth dates on an online form frequented by cyber criminals. This being said, the stolen data did not include social security numbers, payment details, or clinical information. However, it did contain information about scheduled appointments and medical departments involved.
HCA Healthcare has not disclosed the exact date of the breach or when it became aware of the incident. HCA Healthcare has stated that it will provide credit monitoring and identity theft protection to affected individuals and advises patients to be cautious of suspicious phone calls, emails, and text messages. Zooming out, healthcare providers are considered prime targets for hackers as the sector is classified as critical infrastructure.
ai, we have an article looking at how to use AI to fuel experimentation in music. AI is giving new artists new ways to create and innovate by changing the way music is made and consumed. This article looks at some of the ways that AI is fueling artistic experimentation.
com. We have an article looking at how JF Rog has added a curation capability for open source software components. The the tool called JF Rog Curation will address cybersecurity and compliance issues before any open source component gets added to the mix to create a frictionless experience.
com. Finally on Security Boulevard, we have an article looking at a survey showing concerns about the rise of info stealer malware. The survey looked at responses from 320 IT security professionals, and found that 53% are extremely concerned about their ability to stop attacks that exfiltrate authentication data.
Additionally, 36% stated that they didn't reset passwords for ex exposed applications. com and that's today's Techstrong news recap.
