Wake me up when September ends!

Welcome to September - My favourite month of the year! The weather has turned more autumnal, pumpkin spice is back in the coffee, and everyone seems to be back from Summer Camp and Summer vacations and ready to kick-start those projects by looking at our current proposal list!

So what happened last month?

Some of the most notable attacks include a $7 million ransom demand hit Arcadian Ambulance Services after sensitive health information was breached, whilst in the UK immigration services business Sable International was hit with ransomware, with customers being emailed by the cyber criminals, applying further pressure to pay.

Cyber Criminals also posed as Ukraine's Security Service to infect 100 government PCs. Cyber attacks affect all sectors, and public health services or immigration are not immune from attacks, as the Electoral Commission in the UK revealed a cyberattack as far back as 2021 had exposed the data of 40 million voters.

There was lots of new research dropped at both BlackHat and Defcon including Ecovac robot vulnerabilities, prompt injections to trick Microsoft Copilot as well as a new Microsoft Office zero-day. If you want to hear about my Defcon trip, you can find my roundup here.

So what have the dragons been up to?

There hasn't been a summer slowdown that's for sure! From pen tests including Industrial Control Systems and many web app tests, to planning an amazing TTX for a CNI business; to Cyber MOTs to PocketSIEM Gold & Platinum Services, August has been busy! Our shiny new website has all the details of the services that we offer, although we also regularly custom-make solutions for customers - If you have an unusual challenge we love to try and help you find a solution.

We also found out we are Finalists at The Real Cyber Awards in November for Best Managed Service Provider, and also for two podcasts - Cyber Security Agony Uncles, and the Daily Cyber Briefing! Wish us luck for November!

Next month is Cyber Awareness Month, so if you would like some custom training or a fun Table Top Exercise then we still have a little bit of space in our calendar. Get in touch! Do make sure to share Dracoeye with your wider business areas as a safe way to check the legitimacy of files, links, emails or websites as part of your internal cyber security training too - It's a great free tool for your Accounts Teams to keep them safe.

What is coming up this month?

It's a busy month ahead but it's nice to be spending more time in the North! This month I will be

Thursday 12th September is Future of Cyber in Manchester with a great lineup of speakers.

Tuesday 18th September is the LT Harper - Cyber Security Recruitment #InclusiveinCyber networking breakfast where I will be discussing Personal Branding alongside Dua Fatima and Grace Hulse

Thursday 19th September is the next lunchtime Cheshire Cyber Cats meetup - If you are based in Cheshire do come along.

Wednesday 25th September is Security Leadership Decrypted evening where I will be discussing Cyber ROI, alongside Heather Lowrie FCIIS discussing Governance Game Changers, and Ben M. discussing Resilience & Community. Reach out to Stephen Mann for tickets to this!

Thursday 26th September is Leeds Cyber Security Conference which I am looking forward to attending - There are some tickets left with all ticket proceeds going to Northern Ballet charity. It looks to have a great line up!

Friday 4th October is the PreSides for BSides Newcastle and I am helping to organise the Careers focussed Presides on Friday. If you are hiring in Newcastle then drop me a message. There are still tickets available for BSides Main Event on the Saturday too!

Don't forget to keep up with the latest cyber news; you can also catch our th4ts3cur1ty.company Daily Cyber Briefing every weekday morning at 830am with the Dragons.

If you are attending any of the above, do make sure to say hello! Or if you are planning your next cyber project, and need some help, drop me a message for a chat!

Have a great month!