Tag Archive for: join

In A Historic First, Ukraine To Join NATO’s Largest Cyber Security Exercise, Locked Shields 2024

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For the very first time, Ukraine will debut in NATO’s flagship cybersecurity exercise, Locked Shields 2024, announced by the National Cyber Security Coordination Center (the first working body of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council). 

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Locked Shields, organized by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), is the world’s largest cybersecurity exercise. It will take place between April 22 and April 26.

The exercise serves as a crucible for honing cyber defense capabilities, fostering an environment where participants leverage their collective expertise to develop robust defense strategies. 

Since its inception in 2010, the exercise has evolved into the world’s largest and most realistic cyber defense drill, setting the standard for comprehensive cyber readiness.



This annual event convenes experts from diverse backgrounds to tackle cyber threats through realistic scenarios, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in defending against cyber-attacks.

The National Cyber Security Coordination Center of Ukraine stressed the growing importance of Locked Shields in strengthening international collaboration in cyber defense, which is evident from the increasing number of participating countries each year. 

In its previous iteration in 2023, Locked Shields saw the participation of 33 countries forming 24 different teams. This year’s exercise, hosted in Estonia, is expected to draw around 4,000 experts from over 40 nations tasked with safeguarding a fictional nation’s critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

According to the National Cyber Security Coordination Center, Kyiv is forming a joint team with the Czech Republic for the exercises. The goal is to cultivate skills, share experiences, and foster cooperation in countering modern cyber threats. 

In March 2022, Ukraine became a member of the NATO Cyber Center in response to Russia’s large-scale invasion. 

Serhiy Demedyuk, Deputy Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense…

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History, Significance, and Fun Ways to Join In- Republic World

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Computer Security Day 2023

Computer Security Day 2023 | Image:shuttershock

As we usher in the digital age, where our lives are intricately woven with technology, the importance of safeguarding our digital assets becomes paramount. National Computer Security Day, observed annually on November 30th, serves as a timely reminder to prioritize our online safety and celebrate the strides made in the realm of computer security. 

History of National Computer Security Day 

In the early days of computers, people created National Computer Security Day, which happens every November 30th. It started to protect computers and important information from new dangers. Now, it’s a worldwide effort to remind everyone how important it is to learn about cybersecurity and take steps to keep our digital world safe from evolving online risks.  

Significance of National Computer Security Day 

This day is important because it aims to teach and help people protect their digital lives. As cyber threats grow quickly, National Computer Security Day brings everyone together to fight against online crimes. It tells us to use good habits, keep up with the latest security news, and create a safe online culture.  

Why Computer Security is Crucial 

In today’s digital age, where we keep and share personal, financial, and private information online, not being careful with computer security can lead to serious problems. Cyberattacks, data leaks, and identity theft are constant dangers that can cause a lot of trouble for people and economies. National Computer Security Day underscores the pivotal role that robust security measures play in mitigating these risks and ensuring a safe digital environment for all. 

How to Celebrate National Computer Security Day 2023 

1.Update and Upgrade: Ensure that your operating system, antivirus software, and other security applications are up to date. Regular updates often include patches that address vulnerabilities. 

2.Password Check : Take a moment to review and make your passwords stronger. Create passwords by combining letters, numbers, and symbols. For added security, use unique passwords for each account.  

3.Backup Your Data: Regularly back up your important files and data. Having a backup ensures…

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‘Hacktivists’ join the front lines in Israel-Hamas war

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WASHINGTON and JERUSALEM — When Hamas sprung its deadly assault on Israel in early October, its militants came from land, air and sea.

The Palestinian group launched rockets at populous areas, deployed drones to destroy observation posts, used motorized gliders to float fighters over fortified borders and dispatched speedboats into defended waters. The effects were instantly tangible, with many Israelis killed, abducted or displaced. Infrastructure, including hardened military installations, was damaged.

Less apparent were the virtual campaigns waged before, during and after the opening salvos, though not necessarily by Hamas itself. Hackers supporting its cause hijacked billboards and flooded phones with threatening texts. Grisly videos quickly circulated online, and social media platforms such as X, formerly Twitter, were saturated with front-line footage, some of it fake.

The online efforts serve many purposes, experts told C4ISRNET, including influencing public opinion, softening resistance and hampering the emergency response.

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Cyberattacks “are increasing daily, with hundreds of attacks we’ve monitored so far,” said Gil Messing, the chief of staff at Check Point Software Technologies, a cybersecurity company with roots in Tel Aviv. “Our data shows an 18% increase in attacks on Israeli targets since the beginning of the war, and we expect it to continue.”

Hack-tivity

Outside groups with vested interests in the Israel-Hamas fight are dominating the cyber battlefield.

Operations include defacing popular websites and flooding networks with artificial traffic, rendering them unable to function. This tactic is known as a distributed denial-of-service, or DDoS, attack. Similar moves were seen in the opening days of the Russia-Ukraine war.

“Cyberattacks happened all along, before the [Hamas attack] and after,” said Messing, whose team monitors dozens of third-party groups around the world.

“Hacktivists play a critical role here and actually carry out the vast majority of attacks,” Messing added, using a term for hackers motivated by political or social movements.

Cloudflare, an American company that provides cybersecurity and network services, said media sites were…

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Hackers Join In on Israel-Hamas War With Disruptive Cyberattacks 

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Several hacker groups have joined in on the Israel-Hamas conflict escalation that started over the weekend after the Palestinian militant group launched a major attack.

Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel out of Gaza, firing thousands of rockets and sending its fighters to the southern part of the country. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and started to retaliate. Hundreds have been killed and thousands have been wounded on both sides as a result of the conflict escalation. 

In addition to the state-sponsored actors that have likely ramped up their cyber efforts behind the scenes, known hacktivist groups supporting both sides have intensified their cyberattacks. 

According to a timeline created by cybersecurity consultant and OSINT enthusiast Julian Botham, the first hacktivist attacks were launched against Israel by Anonymous Sudan less than one hour after the first rockets were fired by Hamas. The group targeted emergency warning systems, claiming to have taken down alerting applications in Israel.

The Jerusalem Post, the largest English-language daily newspaper in Israel, was also targeted by Anonymous Sudan. 

A pro-Hamas group called Cyber Av3ngers targeted the Israel Independent System Operator (Noga), a power grid organization, claiming to have compromised its network and shut down its website. The group also targeted the Israel Electric Corporation, the largest supplier of electrical power in Israel and the Palestinian territories, as well as a power plant. 

The notorious pro-Russian group Killnet has launched attacks against Israeli government websites.

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A Palestinian hacker gang named Ghosts of Palestine has invited hackers from around the world to attack private and public infrastructure in Israel and the United States. A group called Libyan Ghosts has started defacing small Israeli websites in support of Hamas.  

In most cases, these hacktivists have used distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to cause disruption. Some of them claimed to have caused significant disruption to their targets, but it’s not uncommon for hacktivists to exaggerate their claims. For instance, claims by Iran-linked…

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