THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/16/25

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

Israel Strikes At The Heart Of Syria’s Military Command In Dramatic Escalation (Updated)
In a dramatic escalation, the Israeli Air Force bombed Syria’s defense ministry and presidential palace in Damascus on July 16, marking the first time in years that Israel has directly struck such high-level government targets in the capital. The strikes were aimed at halting what Israel says are violent campaigns by Syrian forces against the Druze minority in southern Syria’s Suwayda region. At least three were killed and over 30 wounded in the attacks, which Israel claims were necessary to protect the Druze, a community that includes members serving in the IDF. Israel’s military said it targeted Syrian command infrastructure directing operations against the Druze and warned of more intense strikes if the violence continued. The strikes sparked protests in Damascus and added strain to U.S.-led normalization efforts between Israel and Syria, now ruled by President Ahmed al-Sharaa after a coup ousted Bashar al-Assad. While the U.S. called for restraint, it acknowledged the influence of Israel’s domestic Druze population on the Netanyahu government. A ceasefire was announced but quickly broke down as both Israeli air raids and internal Syrian clashes continued. Click here to read more.

Former Top Google Researchers Have Made a New Kind of AI Agent
A new AI agent called Asimov, developed by startup Reflection and cofounded by ex-Google DeepMind researchers, aims to revolutionize software development by deeply understanding not just code but also internal company communications like emails, Slack messages, and documentation. Rather than focusing solely on generating code, Asimov emphasizes code comprehension and collaborative usefulness within engineering teams. It uses a multi-agent system with reinforcement learning techniques similar to those behind DeepMind’s AlphaGo, training not just on code but the broader context in which software is built. The startup says Asimov outperforms other AI tools like Anthropic’s Claude Code in developer preference tests, though some experts question its scalability and privacy implications. Backed by Sequoia and operating within clients’ secure environments, Reflection sees Asimov as a first step toward more autonomous AI capable of building and maintaining complex systems—and eventually contributing to superintelligent agents. Click here to read more.

The most dangerous book in the world
In many countries around the world, the Bible is still considered so dangerous that it is banned, censored, or criminalized—more than any other book. As Open Doors celebrates its 70th anniversary, Daniel McIlhiney highlights how this “most dangerous book in the world” continues to be smuggled into repressive nations where people risk everything just to read it. Stories from North Korea, China, and Soviet Russia reveal the Bible’s life-giving power in the face of extreme persecution. From a believer asking for an empty Bible box to sustain his spirit, to others secretly unearthing and reading a buried Bible at night, these testimonies show how Scripture brings dignity, hope, and transformation even in the darkest places. Click here to read more.

Most cyber incidents stem from the same 10% of employees, study finds
A new report from Living Security reveals that just 10% of employees are responsible for nearly 73% of cybersecurity risks in the workplace. Drawing on data from over 100 enterprises, the study emphasizes that cyber threats are driven more by human behavior than technology. With phishing, data loss, and malware incidents heavily concentrated among a small user group, the company urges targeted risk assessments and behavioral interventions to reduce these vulnerabilities. Surprisingly, remote and part-time workers were found to be less risky than in-office staff, challenging common assumptions. Click here to read more.

IDF prepares for days of battles in Sweida, carries out aerial strikes on 160 Syrian targets
The IDF has launched 160 airstrikes on Syrian regime forces around Sweida in response to what it describes as a brutal assault on the Druze community. Despite significant aerial attacks, including strikes on Syria’s Defense Ministry and part of the Presidential Palace, Israel has ruled out sending ground troops into Syria. While the IDF is preparing for a multi-day campaign and has begun moving units northward, it says the regime has seized on internal Syrian clashes to assert control over Sweida. Israel aims to pressure a withdrawal, but the fate of the Druze remains uncertain. Click here to read more.