THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/21/25

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

“In peace, prepare for war.”

— Roman proverb (Latin: Si vis pacem, para bellum)

With 400 aircraft across 3,000 miles, Air Force puts agile combat strategy to the test
The U.S. Air Force is currently executing Resolute Force Pacific, its largest contingency response exercise in the Indo-Pacific, involving over 400 aircraft and 12,000 personnel across more than 50 locations and 3,000 miles. Running from July 10 to August 8, the exercise tests the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy, which emphasizes dispersing forces to smaller, more flexible bases to reduce vulnerability to missile threats. The training includes joint and multinational operations, with aircraft like the F-22, F-35, and F-15EX operating from bases in Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The exercise highlights improved interoperability and readiness across the region, although officials stress it is not in response to any specific global events. Click here to read more.

Microsoft wants to fix ‘slow or sluggish’ performance in Windows 11
Microsoft is intensifying efforts to address persistent complaints of “slow or sluggish” performance in Windows 11 by collecting real-time user feedback and system logs. In a new Windows 11 test build released Friday, Microsoft introduced automatic performance logging through the Feedback Hub, allowing users to report issues while the system captures relevant diagnostic data. This initiative supports Microsoft’s broader push to enhance OS performance, especially ahead of the 25H2 update expected later this year. The company has already made strides in boosting speed in areas like the Taskbar and notifications, particularly benefiting older hardware with the 24H2 update. Additionally, Microsoft plans to tighten Windows driver certification by enforcing static code analysis, aiming to catch driver issues early. Click here to read more.

Tolkien-Lewis Movie ‘Fellowship’ Will Spotlight the Power of Friendship, Director Says
A new film titled Fellowship, directed by Paul Syrstad and produced by Angel Studios, will explore the profound friendship between literary giants J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, emphasizing how their mutual influence helped birth The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. The movie will portray how Tolkien led Lewis to Christianity and how Lewis, in turn, encouraged Tolkien to expand his work beyond The Hobbit. Syrstad says the project highlights how their support for one another shaped masterpieces that have blessed generations. Angel Studios describes the film as a story grounded in authenticity and imagination, offering rare hope and connection in today’s world. A release date has not yet been announced. Click here to read more.

Microsoft SharePoint servers are under attack because of a major security flaw
A critical zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint is being actively exploited by hackers, putting tens of thousands of on-premises servers at risk, according to a Microsoft alert issued Saturday. The exploit, first identified by Eye Security on July 18th, allows attackers to steal authentication keys and impersonate users, even after a reboot or patch, leaving already compromised systems vulnerable. While Microsoft has released fixes for SharePoint 2019 and the SharePoint Subscription Edition, a patch for SharePoint 2016 is still in development. Cloud-based SharePoint versions remain unaffected. The attack vector likely stems from two bugs showcased during the Pwn2Own hacking contest in May, and enables attackers to infiltrate connected services like Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends disconnecting compromised servers from the internet until fully secured, as attacks have already targeted government agencies, universities, energy firms, and telecom companies. Click here to read more.

Selective outrage: Why the world looks away from Syria’s atrocities but fixates on Gaza – analysis
The ongoing violence in Syria, particularly in Sweida where more than 1,200 people have reportedly died in recent days, receives a fraction of the global attention compared to the Israel-Gaza conflict, despite similar or even greater levels of brutality. This disparity is driven by a mix of geopolitical optics, media accessibility, and narrative simplicity. Gaza fits a preferred media frame—occupier vs. occupied, strong vs. weak—and benefits from highly organized advocacy, UN focus, and steady data streams, making it a staple of headlines and social media activism. In contrast, Syria is perceived as too complex, remote, and dangerous for real-time coverage. Journalists face significant barriers, and the Druze, unlike Palestinians, lack a global lobbying network or digital megaphone. Even major human rights organizations have remained largely silent on Sweida. While Gaza dominates discourse, often inflamed by sensationalism and heavily skewed narratives, Syria’s atrocities unfold in obscurity—ignored not because they matter less, but because fewer choose to look. Click here to read more.