THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 4/8/25

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

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”

— Often attributed as a Japanese proverb

Navy Is About To Go Big On Massive Joint War Training Across The Pacific
The U.S. Department of Defense is shifting from isolated service-specific drills to fully integrated joint rehearsals in preparation for a potential large-scale conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific. This new approach, outlined by Vice Adm. Michael Boyle at the Sea-Air-Space Conference, aims to identify and refine operational requirements through tactical-level joint training that includes the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, Space Force, and Cyber Command. Exercises like REFORPAC and Bamboo Eagle are key to stress-testing U.S. forces’ readiness for sustained combat across vast distances, logistics under attack, and coordination with allies. These changes mark a strategic pivot to ensuring U.S. forces can fight and win as a unified team in future high-threat environments. Click here to read more.

Most Americans don’t trust AI — or the people in charge of it
A new Pew Research Center report reveals a growing trust gap between AI experts and the general public, with technologists largely optimistic about artificial intelligence while most Americans remain skeptical and uneasy. While 75% of AI experts believe the technology will benefit them personally, only 25% of U.S. adults agree. Concerns over job displacement, lack of regulation, and skewed representation in AI design are driving public distrust — especially among Gen Z, who, despite high engagement with tools like ChatGPT, report more anxiety than excitement. The data highlights a critical need for transparent, inclusive governance as AI becomes embedded in everyday life. Click here to read more.

Georgia Becomes 30th State to Pass Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Georgia has become the 30th U.S. state to pass a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), a law aimed at shielding individuals from government actions that may infringe upon their religious exercise. Signed by Governor Brian Kemp after passing both Republican-controlled chambers of the state legislature, the law allows individuals to seek legal protection if their religious beliefs are burdened, unless the government can prove it is pursuing a compelling interest by the least restrictive means. Supporters, like Alliance Defending Freedom, hail the measure as a vital safeguard for faith-based living, while critics warn of potential legal conflicts over civil rights. Click here to read more.

US Treasury bank regulators’ emails accessed for years in “major” hacking incident
Hackers gained access to over 100 email accounts belonging to top U.S. banking regulators at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), exposing more than 150,000 sensitive messages from June 2023 to February 2025 in a breach only recently disclosed to Congress. The attackers infiltrated through a single administrative account, targeting high-level regulatory communications and financial oversight data. The OCC, part of the U.S. Treasury, has labeled the breach a “major incident” and is now under internal and third-party investigation amid public concern over systemic vulnerabilities. Click here to read more.

Kazakhstan textbooks promote tolerance, respect for Judaism, Israel – IMPACT report finds
A new report by IMPACT-se highlights Kazakhstan’s school curriculum as a model of religious tolerance, offering a respectful portrayal of Judaism and a nuanced view of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Textbooks describe Judaism as a foundational faith, acknowledge Jewish cultural contributions, and promote interfaith harmony. While Holocaust education remains limited and some younger-grade materials adopt critical tones toward Israel, high school curricula present a more balanced perspective on the conflict, naming groups like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad as terrorist organizations. Kazakhstan’s approach to pluralism is praised as a potential model for the region. Click here to read more.