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Headlines

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will provide enhanced support to open-source developers in an ongoing effort to improve software security. The overall mission is to address vulnerabilities in open-source projects. Though this high incident rate is caused by a range of issues, one of the most common is a lack of resources, leading to fewer updates and less intensive maintenance. [For more on the importance of keeping open-source projects safe, check out the Interesting Read section below!]

CISA hosted a summit with open-source leaders and government officials, conducting a tabletop exercise to simulate a cyberattack scenario. At the event, new measures were introduced, including a communication channel for threat intelligence sharing, public key infrastructure enhancements, and tools for detecting malware and vulnerabilities. This collaborative effort aims to synchronize security improvements across the open-source community. The move aligns with the Biden administration's work to bolster open-source software security following incidents like the Log4j flaw exploit in 2021.

A Python-based information stealer named Snake is spreading through Facebook messages, targeting users to capture credentials and sensitive data. Cybereason researchers discovered the malware, which harvests credentials and moves them to platforms like Discord and GitHub. The attack involves sending RAR or ZIP files that activate on extraction. Researchers have already identified three variants.

The malware appears to be focused on Vietnam, as it collects data from various web browsers, including the Vietnamese Cốc Cốc browser. The campaign's Vietnamese connection is supported by repository naming conventions and language references.

The Wall Street Journal reports that industrial cybersecurity company Claroty has secured $100 million in funding, aiming for expansion and a potential public offering when the timing is right. Headquartered in New York, Claroty specializes in high-intensity tech environments — think control systems for manufacturing and water infrastructure. Those have been hit particularly hard in recent months, no doubt making the work they do appealing to investors. 

Delta-v Capital led the funding, which will support business expansion and the development of platform products bundling various cyber defense tools. The investment reflects a broader industry trend towards consolidated cybersecurity solutions rather than more niche applications. Claroty's total investment now exceeds $700 million, including a credit line.

Interesting Read

In a working paper (PDF link) for Harvard Business School, a group of researchers outlines the real value of open-source software. This field appears to wildly outperform paid software. Just as a quick example, while the supply-side value of the most popular open-source software amounts to just over $4 billion, the demand-side value racks up to an astounding $8.8 trillion.

It’s a bit of a read, but the insights it provides into the full story of what these programs provide is eye opening.

Employment Tip: Networking (Still) Matters

No matter where you are in your career, networking matters. Focusing on the cybersecurity community can help you find job opportunities and keep you up to date on emerging threats and strategies. A lot of your future success relies on strong relationships with fellow professionals — leading to mentorship opportunities, collaborative projects, and a wide range of other useful experiences.

For the latest openings in cybersecurity careers, check CybersecurityHQ.

Stay Safe, Stay Secure.

The CybersecurityHQ Team