THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 3/28/25

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

“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”

— Admiral Michelle Howard

This Navy Destroyer’s New Battle Flag Pays Tribute to the Service’s First Female Nurses
In a powerful tribute to the U.S. Navy’s first group of female nurses, the USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee debuted a new battle flag in March bearing 20 gold stars encircling the number 20 — a nod to the “Sacred Twenty.” The destroyer is named after Lenah Higbee, a trailblazing Navy nurse and the only woman awarded the Navy Cross while still living. The Sacred Twenty, officially established in 1908, paved the way for women’s service in the Navy, challenging discrimination and shaping military healthcare. Their legacy now flies high aboard a warship. Click here to read more.

Musk’s xAI buys social media platform X for $45 billion
In a major tech merger, Elon Musk announced on Friday that his AI startup xAI has acquired social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in a $45 billion all-stock deal, including $12 billion in debt. Musk, who already owns both companies, said their “futures are intertwined,” emphasizing shared resources in data, computing power, and talent. The move values the newly combined entity at $80 billion. This comes after xAI’s $6 billion funding round and a failed $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI. Musk’s ambition to rival top AI firms like OpenAI and DeepSeek now fuses social media influence with AI innovation. Click here to read more.

‘The Chosen’ Star Shahar Isaac Speaks Out for Hostages Still Held by Hamas
Israeli actor and former IDF soldier Shahar Isaac, best known for his role as Simon Peter in The Chosen, publicly called on the United States to apply pressure to secure the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 terror attack. Speaking at a press event while wearing a yellow ribbon in solidarity, Isaac described the hostages’ suffering as “beyond any humane capture,” emphasizing that “every day can save another life.” He urged the U.S. to act immediately, saying, “Whatever pressure this country can put on all the parties involved… needs to happen today.” The plea comes amid renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza following failed ceasefire negotiations, with Prime Minister Netanyahu blaming Hamas for rejecting multiple hostage-release offers, including one reportedly brokered by Trump envoy Steve Witkoff. Click here to read more.

If someone who sounds like Cristiano Ronaldo calls you, hang up
Cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to clone the voices of famous athletes, raising alarm over a growing wave of audio deepfake scams. A new report from SeatPick and AI experts at AIPRM reveals that Cristiano Ronaldo’s voice has been cloned over 5,500 times, making him the most targeted sportsperson. LeBron James and Patrick Mahomes follow, with 4,700 and 3,000 clones respectively. While some uses may be playful, experts warn that these AI-generated voice scams are often used to trick victims into handing over money or sensitive information. In past incidents, cloned executive voices have enabled scammers to steal millions. Click here to read more.

US deputy Middle East envoy: Lebanese gov’t must eliminate groups firing on Israel
In a recent interview, U.S. Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus called for diplomacy between Israel and Lebanon, urging Beirut to disarm Hezbollah and other militant groups responsible for recent rocket attacks on Israel. Speaking to Saudi outlet al-Hadath, Ortagus emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense and described the rocket fire as a violation of the ceasefire. She noted that Iran and Hezbollah have dragged Lebanon into the conflict and stressed that a diplomatic solution, including Israel’s withdrawal from five disputed points, must be pursued. Washington continues to back the full disarmament of Hezbollah. Click here to read more.