Short Takes – 6-25-24

UN Security Council to debate cybersecurity threats, despite Russian veto. TheRecord.media article. Pull quote: “The resolution was put forward following what will be the panel of experts’ final report in March. The report said the panel was investigating 58 cryptocurrency heists that took place over the six years between 2017 and 2023, believed to have brought in roughly $3 billion for Pyongyang. The panel also said it was investigating suspected arms transfers from North Korea to Russia.”

Why American tech companies need to help build AI weaponry. WashingtonPost.com commentary. Pull quote: “We do not advocate a thin and shallow patriotism — a substitute for thought and genuine reflection about the merits of our nation as well as its flaws. We only want America’s technology industry to keep in mind an important question — which is not whether a new generation of autonomous weapons incorporating AI will be built. It is who will build them and for what purpose.”

FBI and HHS release joint cybersecurity advisory on social engineering threats affecting healthcare sector. IndustrialCyber.co article. Pull quote: “In some observed instances, the threat actor contacted an organization’s IT Help Desk, impersonating an employee, to initiate a password reset for a specific organizational account. In another scenario, hackers created a phishing domain that differed by just one character from the legitimate organizational domain, specifically targeting the organization’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO).”

‘Unconscionable’: East Palestine investigator accuses Norfolk Southern of trying to undermine derailment probe. Politico.com article. Pull quote: “Homendy’s accusations aside, the NTSB on Tuesday also recommended significant changes to the railroad industry’s ability to self-regulate certain aspects of the industry’s operations in favor of stronger federal safety regulations.”

WHO ignites calls for urgent action on a dangerous mpox strain. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “In a separate briefing, John Claude Udahemuka of the University of Rwanda said the strain spreading in Congo’s difficult-to-reach South Kivu province is a mutated version of the virus that’s been in the country for decades, and he said it was extremely dangerous.”

Dengue fever surging in all 50 states. These are symptoms you should watch for. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “In the United States, the numbers have been far more modest — about 3,000 cases last year in U.S. states and territories. But it was the worst in a decade, and included more infections that occurred locally, courtesy of native mosquitoes. Most were in Puerto Rico, but about 180 were in three U.S. states — Florida, Texas and California.”

99 SpaceX Raptor Engines Before New Mass Production of Thousands. NextBigFuture.com article. Pull quote: “Elon talked about eventually getting the SpaceX engines to 330-335 tons of thrust per engine. This will mean 33 SpaceX raptor engines will give Starship triple the thrust of the Saturn V. In expendable mode, the Starship will be able to deliver 400-500 tons to orbit.”