Short Takes – 5-17-25

New cybersecurity rules for smart heat pump manufacturers. PenTestPartners.com blog post. Pull quote: “The UK government has confirmed that smart heat pumps must meet the European ETSI EN 303 645 cybersecurity standard in the form of the Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme. The will mean that heat pumps are in line with other smart energy devices, creating a simple and clear security baseline across the sector.”

From Firmware to Factory Floor: Why Made in America Depends on CVE Security. Forescout.com blog post.  Pull quote: “CISA Advisories: CISA publishes industrial vulnerabilities, but its focus is narrow, and it struggles with updates from vendors like Siemens. Reorganization may limit its scope further.”

US approves natural food dyes while pushing to phase out synthetic colours. ChemistryWorld.com article. Pull quote: “Similarly, the International Association of Color Manufacturers (IACM), whose members include the makers and users of natural as well as synthetic colours, emphasised that synthetic food dyes approved by the FDA continue to be used worldwide, including in Europe, and the agency is not proposing or issuing a mandatory ban on those dyes in the US.”

Deadly blast outside Palm Springs fertility clinic was 'intentional act of terrorism,' FBI says. ABC7.com article. Pull quote: “"We have a rapidly evolving investigation with a massive crime scene," Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills told reporters during the evening news conference. "Our first priority was to ensure the safety of our community. And we were very concerned about secondary devices, and so we spent a lot of time and effort working with the bureau, as well as the sheriff's office, clearing the entire neighborhood, making sure that there was nothing that could harm our citizens any further."”

US FAA approves license modifications for SpaceX Starship Flight 9 mission. Reuters.com article. Pull quote: “The Starship 9 launch will affect air routes extending 1,600 nautical miles eastward from Texas through the Straits of Florida. Both the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are expected to close their airspace up to 6,000 feet (1828.8 m) and the FAA will close the airspace above that. The FAA estimates 175 flights will be affected.”