THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 6/4/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 6/4/25

by | Jun 4, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Army Sgt. Yesenia Cadavid | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“The art of progress is to preserve order amid change and to preserve change amid order.”

 

— Alfred North Whitehead

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • House lawmakers want more details about the Army’s plan to restructure force

  • Top Army officials faced tough questions from House lawmakers over their new cost-cutting Army Transformation Initiative (ATI), which proposes slashing outdated equipment, shrinking headquarters staffs, and consolidating major commands to boost combat readiness for future conflicts, particularly with China. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Gen. Randy George defended the initiative as a necessary evolution rather than a mere budget-trimming exercise, but lawmakers from both parties criticized the lack of detailed plans and budget clarity, warning of troop anxiety and past failures from similar overhauls. The Army is also seeking greater funding flexibility to fast-track commercial weapons procurement and explore cheaper alternatives like off-the-shelf drones and low-cost missiles, as demonstrated in Ukraine. Click here to read more.

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

  • Google DeepMind’s CEO Thinks AI Will Make Humans Less Selfish

  • A leading AI figure envisions a near future where artificial general intelligence (AGI) sparks a golden era of abundance, solving root problems like disease, energy, and water scarcity—assuming it is developed with care and global cooperation. While acknowledging that current AI poses no existential threat, he warns that the pace of advancement requires urgent attention to safety, governance, and interpretability. He predicts AGI will enhance jobs rather than replace them entirely, noting that certain human qualities—like empathy in nursing—will remain irreplaceable. Still, he concedes that abundance alone won’t fix inequity or inaction on issues like climate change without human resolve. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • Christians Split over Viral AI Videos That Put Bible Characters on TikTok

  • A new trend of viral AI-generated TikTok videos reimagines Bible characters like Daniel, Noah, and David as modern-day influencers, delivering Scripture-inspired updates in selfie-style vlogs. The clips—some topping millions of views—are drawing mixed reactions: some Christians see them as engaging tools for digital evangelism, while others criticize the trend as irreverent, inaccurate, or even blasphemous. Supporters argue that as long as the content aligns with Scripture and points viewers to Christ, it has value; critics worry it trivializes sacred narratives or misrepresents biblical figures. Click here to read more.

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

  • Microsoft offers free cybersecurity support to European governments

  • Microsoft has launched a free cybersecurity program for European governments to strengthen defenses against rising cyber threats, particularly those enhanced by AI. The initiative, announced Wednesday, emphasizes intelligence-sharing to counter attacks—many of which have been traced to state-sponsored actors from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Microsoft President Brad Smith said the company aims to bring its U.S.-developed tools to Europe, stressing that while attackers exploit AI to scale disinformation and infrastructure disruption, AI can also be a powerful defensive tool—if it evolves faster than offensive uses. Click here to read more.

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

  • Two-state solution support hits all-time low as Israeli trust collapses – Pew poll

  • Only 21% of Israelis believe peaceful coexistence with a future Palestinian state is possible, the lowest figure recorded by Pew since 2013, as trust erodes amid ongoing war and deep divisions over Jerusalem, settlements, and governance of Gaza. The survey reveals stark gaps between Jewish and Arab Israelis, low confidence in both Israeli and Palestinian leadership, and polarized views along religious and political lines—though most still view the U.S. as a helpful peace broker. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 6/3/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 6/3/25

by | Jun 3, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / yucelyilmaz | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“Whoever controls the high ground of space controls the world.”

 

— Lyndon B. Johnson

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • Space Force awards BAE $1.2B deal for missile-tracking satellites

  • The Space Force awarded BAE Systems a $1.2 billion contract to build 10 satellites for the second phase of its Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Missile Warning and Tracking program, part of a broader effort to bolster U.S. defenses against Chinese and Russian missile threats. Scheduled for first delivery in 2029, these satellites add resilience to an expanding space-based architecture that also includes Epoch 1 satellites from Millennium Space Systems and low Earth orbit systems from the Space Development Agency. The initiative aligns with President Trump’s $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile shield vision, which anticipates operational capability within three years and is expected to receive a significant funding boost through a GOP-backed defense package. Click here to read more.

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

  • You are hardwired to blindly trust AI. Here’s how to fight it.

  • Two newspapers recently included fictional titles in their summer reading lists—books hallucinated by AI—highlighting a broader problem: people’s blind trust in generative technologies. Whether it’s fake citations in legal filings or a White House report referencing nonexistent studies, experts say we’re all vulnerable to automation bias—the tendency to defer to machines even when their output is wrong. Despite disclaimers, tools like ChatGPT and Tesla’s Autopilot are often used as unquestionable authorities. Researchers recommend a “distrust but verify” mindset, noting that stress and social pressures can increase our reliance on AI, especially when productivity is at stake. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • Texas Approves Law Requiring Ten Commandments in All Classrooms

  • Texas is poised to mandate that every public school classroom display the Ten Commandments, following House approval of SB-10, a bill championed by Republican lawmakers who say it’s a return to America’s religious heritage. Backers, including First Liberty Institute, argue the law aligns with recent Supreme Court rulings supporting religious expression in schools, while critics like the ACLU warn it violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. The bill also shields school districts from legal battles, placing the burden on the state. This measure reflects a broader push in Texas to reintroduce faith into education, alongside laws protecting school prayer and requiring “In God We Trust” displays. Click here to read more.

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

  • Over 8M records with US patient medical data have been spilled online

  • A major data breach has exposed the personal information of 2.7 million patients and 8.8 million appointments due to an unsecured MongoDB database, with evidence pointing to dental marketing firm Gargle as the likely source. The leak, discovered and reported by Cybernews, revealed names, birthdates, contact details, billing information, and appointment records, creating a goldmine for identity theft, fraud, and phishing schemes. Though the database has since been secured, the breach underscores serious concerns over third-party HIPAA compliance and the risks of poorly configured infrastructure in the healthcare sector. Click here to read more.

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

  • Israel Katz says Syrian president Sharaa ‘directly responsible’ for threats to Israel

  • A barrage of rockets fired from southern Syria into northern Israel on Tuesday evening triggered widespread sirens but caused no harm, as the IDF confirmed the initial rockets landed in open areas. In response, the Israeli military launched artillery strikes on southern Syria. Defense Minister Israel Katz blamed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa for the attack and warned of a full response. Though it remains unclear which group was behind the launch, the rockets reportedly came from deep within Syria, suggesting the use of medium-range weapons. This marks the first cross-border fire from Syria since Assad’s regime fell in December 2024. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 6/2/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 6/2/25

by | Jun 2, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Air Force Senior Airman Sabrina Fuller-Judd | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“Victory smiles upon those who anticipate the changes in the character of war.”

 

— Giulio Douhet

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • Mass Drone Attack On Exposed Russian Bombers Puts Spotlight On Hardened Aircraft Shelter Debate

  • Ukraine’s covert drone attacks on multiple Russian air bases using 117 kamikaze drones have renewed calls for the U.S. to invest in hardened aircraft shelters and robust counter-drone defenses, as military leaders and lawmakers warn about growing vulnerabilities to low-cost, high-impact aerial threats. The strikes, which reportedly damaged or destroyed dozens of aircraft, including strategic bombers, highlight the danger of leaving aircraft exposed and echo warnings issued for years about drone warfare’s disruptive potential. As drone technology advances and threats become more autonomous and geographically unbound, experts argue that the U.S. must bolster passive defenses, disaggregate forces, and modernize protective infrastructure to keep pace. Click here to read more.

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

  • How the Loudest Voices in AI Went From ‘Regulate Us’ to ‘Unleash Us’

  • The U.S. Senate’s once unified call for AI regulation has pivoted sharply toward deregulation and innovation-first rhetoric, driven by geopolitical competition—especially with China—and a new administration that sees safety guardrails as obstacles to dominance. In 2023, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and lawmakers jointly embraced “regulate us” as a mantra, aiming to build public trust and avoid catastrophic misuse. By 2025, that tone has been replaced with a focus on “winning the AI race,” with both Altman and policymakers decrying EU-style rules as “disastrous” and championing “light-touch” oversight. Now, industry leaders push for minimal restrictions while lobbying for expanded data use and intellectual property exceptions, even as experts warn that the window for mitigating AI’s existential risks may be closing. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • Jews Mark Holiday of Shavuot 2025 on Same Day as Pentecost Celebrations

  • Jews around the world will celebrate Shavuot at sundown on Sunday, a biblical festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which this year coincides with Pentecost, commemorating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Both holidays, falling fifty days after Passover, are deeply rooted in themes of covenant and divine revelation—Jews traditionally study Scripture overnight and pray at the Western Wall, while Christians reflect on the birth of the Church. Observed as one of three pilgrimage feasts in the Bible, Shavuot carries profound spiritual symbolism likened to a wedding between God and Israel, highlighting the intimate relationship established through His commandments. Click here to read more.

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

  • Microsoft, Crowdstrike to create unified ‘Rosetta Stone’ of threat actors and their wacky names

  • Microsoft and CrowdStrike have launched a unified threat actor naming system, joined by Google’s Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42, to streamline and translate across the many confusing aliases used by cybersecurity firms to identify nation-state and cybercriminal groups such as Fancy Bear and Lazarus Group. The initiative, which Microsoft calls a “Rosetta Stone” for cyber threats, aims to simplify communication and improve coordination among security teams by categorizing adversaries into five groups, including nation-state and financially motivated actors. With over 80 threat actors already deconflicted, the project represents a major step toward more coherent global cyber defense amid rising threats from entities backed by Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Click here to read more.

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

  • Trump clarifies US nuclear agreement with Iran would not allow any uranium enrichment

  • US President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that any US nuclear deal proposal would prohibit Iran from enriching uranium, contradicting earlier reports that suggested the US might permit limited enrichment for a set period. This clarification follows Iran’s expected rejection of the US offer, labeling it a “non-starter” that disregards Tehran’s interests. The proposal was delivered by Oman’s foreign minister as part of ongoing mediation efforts. Complicating the matter further, a recent IAEA report revealed Iran’s undeclared nuclear activities at three sites, prompting the US and European allies to consider declaring Iran in violation of its non-proliferation commitments. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 5/30/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 5/30/25

by | May 30, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“Necessity is the mother of invention.”

 

— Plato, paraphrased from The Republic

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • F-15E Armed With Drone Killing Laser-Guided Rockets Appears In Middle East

  • The U.S. Air Force’s F-15E Strike Eagle has emerged in the Middle East with a striking new air-to-air loadout, including six seven-shot 70mm rocket pods equipped with APKWS II laser-guided rockets, along with AIM-9X and AIM-120 missiles. This development transforms the jet into a formidable counter-drone and cruise missile platform with up to 50 engagement opportunities, significantly enhancing its magazine depth. While not officially announced, the APKWS II’s integration on the F-15E appears to be a rapid response to real-world challenges faced in defending Israel from Iranian drone and missile attacks. The relatively low-cost rockets offer a persistent, efficient solution for low-performance aerial threats, with potential expansion to more aircraft and upgraded dual-mode guidance systems underway. Click here to read more.

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

  • Dell, Nvidia unveil new powerhouse supercomputer to catapult ‘Nobel-worthy’ US scientific research

  • Chipmakers Nvidia and Dell, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, have announced plans to build a next-generation supercomputer named “Doudna” at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory by 2026. Powered by Nvidia’s Vera Rubin platform and sponsored by the DOE, the Doudna will integrate AI, data, and simulation to accelerate breakthroughs in fusion energy, quantum computing, drug discovery, and astrophysics. Named after Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna, the system is expected to deliver over ten times the scientific output of its predecessor while using just two to three times the power. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • Bear Grylls on Christianity: Jesus ‘Changed Me from the Inside Out’

  • Adventurer and TV personality Bear Grylls shared in a New York Times column how his Christian faith has deeply shaped his life, describing how a teenage encounter with Jesus’ message began his spiritual journey. Grylls emphasized that faith must be experienced personally, likening it to tasting ice cream or swimming, and said relying on Christ has given him strength during life’s challenges. He encouraged readers to be brave and seek God’s help, calling it a “beautiful, humble, powerful thing.” Grylls, who previously authored a devotional titled Soul Fuel, also helped baptize actor Russell Brand last year. Click here to read more.

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

  • Chinese Hacking Group APT41 Exploits Google Calendar to Target Governments

  • Chinese state-sponsored hacker group APT41 is using Google Calendar as a command-and-control system to target government entities, according to Google. In an October 2024 campaign, the group deployed a malware called ToughProgress through phishing emails and a compromised government website. The malware writes encrypted data to Google Calendar events and retrieves commands the same way. Google has disrupted APT41’s infrastructure, adding detections to Safe Browsing and alerting affected organizations. The group has also distributed other malware like Voldemort and DustTrap via free web hosting tools since August 2024. Click here to read more.

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

  • IDF strikes Syria, ‘no party will have immunity’ Katz says

  • The IDF confirmed it struck weapons depots and surface-to-air missile components in Syria’s Latakia region on Friday, targeting arms that posed an international threat and endangered Israel’s maritime navigation. One civilian was reportedly killed. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike was essential to defend national security. The attack comes amid ongoing direct talks between Israel and Syria, encouraged by the U.S., aimed at reducing border tensions following the fall of Assad. Washington’s recent diplomatic efforts include lifting some Syria sanctions and backing peace talks led by new envoy Thomas Barrack. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 5/29/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 5/29/25

by | May 29, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tucker Mocan | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

 

— Voltaire (original concept), popularized in Spider-Man

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • Meta is working on a high-tech helmet for the U.S. military

  • Meta has partnered with defense tech firm Anduril to bring augmented reality and AI capabilities to U.S. soldiers, marking a significant pivot from social networking to national defense. The collaboration aims to develop technologies like the EagleEye helmet, which will integrate AI assistants and advanced sensors to boost battlefield awareness, lethality, and mobility. Reuniting Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg with Anduril founder Palmer Luckey—who previously launched Meta’s VR efforts via Oculus—the venture also signals Meta’s broader political realignment under Trump’s second term. This move reflects Silicon Valley’s growing comfort with military contracts and the Pentagon’s increasing reliance on tech giants for next-gen warfare tools. Click here to read more.

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

  • Apple’s getting ready for OS rebrand, starting with its name

  • Apple may be retiring its traditional iOS version numbering, replacing it with a year-based naming convention to unify its operating systems across devices. That means instead of iOS 19, users will see “iOS 26,” aligning with updated names like iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and visionOS 26. The change, expected to be unveiled at WWDC on June 9, reflects Apple’s push for consistency and a more universal user interface across platforms. The event is also rumored to highlight AI advancements, including new third-party access to Apple’s LLMs, live translation for AirPods, and eye-scrolling control for Vision Pro users. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • ‘God Was Right’: Jewish Thinker Finds Evidence that Social Science Absolutely Proves the Bible

  • Entrepreneur and author Mark Gerson is on a mission to demonstrate that “God was right,” using modern social science to affirm the truths found in the Torah. In his forthcoming book, God Was Right: How Modern Social Science Proves the Torah Is True, Gerson explores how ancient biblical principles align with contemporary research, framing the Torah as a timeless guidebook that addresses life’s most practical and meaningful questions. By comparing scriptural wisdom with social science findings, Gerson argues the Torah’s insights are not only spiritually significant but also scientifically validated. Click here to read more.

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

  • Privacy nightmare: Microsoft OneDrive gives AI chatbot full read access to user content

  • A major security flaw in Microsoft’s OneDrive File Picker tool allows third-party apps to access a user’s entire OneDrive content, even when only a single file is selected for upload. Researchers from Oasis Security found that apps like ChatGPT, Slack, Trello, and ClickUp may unknowingly gain extensive access due to OneDrive’s broad OAuth permissions and vague user consent prompts. This poses serious risks to both personal and enterprise data, including potential compliance violations. Microsoft is reportedly reviewing the issue and considering tighter access controls. Click here to read more.

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

  • US firmly rejects France’s attempt to recognize Palestinian state at UN

  • The U.S. firmly rejected France’s push for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN, standing in strong support of Israel. The response followed French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot’s speech reiterating France’s support for a two-state solution and announcing a joint UN conference with Saudi Arabia. The U.S. labeled the move a reward for Hamas after a deadly attack on Israeli embassy staffers in Washington. Israel echoed this stance, warning recognition would embolden terrorism. French President Emmanuel Macron had previously indicated France could recognize a Palestinian state in June. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security

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