In recent news, there has been a surge in cyber attacks between Israel and Gaza. Both sides are engaging in DDoS attacks and leaking stolen documents. While the impact on the ground may not be significant, there are attempts to disrupt Israel’s response to rocket attacks. What’s concerning is the involvement of state-linked groups posing as hacktivists, such as Moses Staff and Predatory Sparrow. It’s crucial to monitor their activities and manage civilian hacktivist actions to minimize interference with state cyber operations.

Legal concerns have also been raised regarding cyber operations during conflicts. Two lawyers have published rules for civilian hackers and obligations on states to restrain them, aiming to prevent harm to civilians. However, expecting hacktivists to restrain themselves in the face of atrocities may be challenging. Nonetheless, international law may have an impact on state-associated groups.

Another issue requiring immediate attention is the sale of spyware by EU-based companies to authoritarian governments. These spyware products have been used to target government officials from Europe, the US, and the UN. The lack of political will to address this problem has raised concerns, and it is crucial for the EU to take action and protect its officials and politicians.

Furthermore, the potential espionage risks posed by Chinese companies, such as Cainiao, a logistics company with a large presence in Belgium, also require immediate attention. While the risk may be limited to its own shipments, it highlights the challenges posed by Chinese companies closely linked to the government.

In conclusion, the ongoing cyber attacks between Israel and Gaza, the involvement of state-linked hacktivist groups, the need for legal considerations in cyber operations, the sale of spyware to authoritarian governments, and the potential espionage risks posed by Chinese companies are all issues that require immediate attention from cybersecurity experts and policymakers.

Stay Well!