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

“If a danger exists in the world, it is a danger shared by all; and equally, that if hope exists in the mind of one nation, that hope should be shared by all”

 

— Dwight D. Eisenhower

I. National Security: Key developments in national security, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

• US, Saudi forces hunt drones in 10-day exercise CENTCOM says identifies ‘best in breed’ tech

• U.S. and Saudi forces just completed the Middle East’s largest counter-drone live-fire exercise at the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center in Saudi Arabia, running from September 7–16, 2025. More than 300 personnel fielded 20 anti-drone systems in drills designed to detect, track, and eliminate aerial threats, with layers of defense tested from advanced aircraft like AC-130 Ghostriders and Saudi Typhoons down to drone defeat rounds fired from 12-gauge shotguns. The exercise, led by CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper and Saudi chief of staff Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Raqed Al-Ruwaili, showcased “best in breed” technologies to address growing threats from Iran and its proxies, who increasingly use drones in attacks across the region. The drills reflect lessons learned from Ukraine’s war and ongoing Houthi drone strikes, underscoring the urgency of strengthening integrated air defenses in the Middle East. Click here to read more.

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

• Americans want AI to stay out of their personal lives

• A new Pew Research Center study shows that most Americans remain skeptical about AI’s role in their lives. Half of respondents said they are more concerned than excited about AI, a notable increase from 37% in 2021. The biggest worries are that AI will harm creativity and human connection, with only 18% believing AI should play any role in dating and just 3% supporting a “big role” in matchmaking. Strong majorities want AI to stay out of love lives (66%) and religious guidance (73%). While many are open to AI being used for large-scale tasks like weather prediction or medical research, misinformation ranked as a top concern, with 53% admitting they aren’t confident in spotting AI-generated content. Interestingly, younger adults under 30 were more worried (57%) than seniors over 65 (46%) about AI eroding human abilities. Overall, 61% of Americans want more control over AI in daily life, but 57% feel they currently have little to none. Click here to read more.

   

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

• J.D. Vance Highlights Charlie Kirk’s Boldness and Devotion to Christ

• Vice President J.D. Vance honored Charlie Kirk’s legacy this week by stepping in as host of The Charlie Kirk Show, describing the slain Turning Point USA founder as a “joyful warrior” who fearlessly brought conservative and Christian values into challenging spaces. Vance praised Kirk’s courage, influence on young conservatives, and devotion to his faith and family, noting his desire to be remembered for his faith above all else. He also highlighted Kirk’s personal life, sharing how Erika Kirk described her late husband as gentle and kind, never raising his voice or acting harshly. Vance said Erika wants Turning Point USA to continue growing stronger, with a renewed mission to inspire the next generation to speak truth with courage. He concluded by urging supporters to carry forward Kirk’s vision of boldness, faith, and family-centered values. Click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

• Russian hackers bombard Liverpool City Council with cyberattacks

• Liverpool City Council confirmed it has been under repeated cyberattacks for the past two years from Russian state-backed hackers linked to the pro-Russian group Noname057(16). The attackers, known for targeting Western governments, militaries, and healthcare systems, used large distributed botnets to launch DDoS assaults in an effort to overwhelm or disable city systems. In response, Liverpool has deployed ISP-level anti-DDoS services, firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and traffic management tools to protect operations. The report noted that other UK cities are facing similar threats, as Noname057(16) has expanded its scope from Ukraine to Western nations supporting Kyiv. Europol has been pursuing the group, recently adding a Spanish professor accused of aiding its attacks to its Most Wanted list, and earlier this year dismantling parts of its infrastructure through Operation Eastwood raids. Click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

• Israel’s ‘Iron Beam’ fully operational to hit missiles along with drones

• Israel’s Defense Ministry announced that the “Iron Beam” laser defense system is now fully operational, marking a major leap in the country’s air defense capabilities. Unlike traditional systems such as the Arrow or Iron Dome, which cost millions or tens of thousands of shekels per interceptor, Iron Beam’s laser shots cost roughly the same as “turning on a light,” making it vastly more economical for countering mass attacks. The system can shoot down drones, rockets, missiles, and mortars at the speed of light, often destroying threats while still over enemy territory. Officials highlighted its ability to handle barrages of simultaneous aerial threats, not just one or two at a time, which could dramatically reduce the need for bomb shelter alerts in Israel. Three variants — Lite Beam, Iron Beam M, and the full-size Iron Beam — provide flexibility from vehicle-mounted 10kW lasers to stationary 100kW beams. Israel is the first country to move such laser defenses from testing into real-world deployment, positioning itself ahead of other nations like the U.S., U.K., China, and Russia that are still in development stages. Defense officials said the rollout of nationwide batteries will transform future battle zones globally by making laser systems the standard for low-cost, rapid-response defense. Click here to read more.