Cyberattacks

Foreign Malign Influencers

•

30 days

Summary

sources
87
Narrative Items
177
Bottom Line Up Front

87 sources in Foreign Malign Influencers are amplifying 177 narrative items relating to the narrative of escalating global cyber threats. These narratives connect through themes of vulnerability, the impact of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, and the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures across various nations, highlighting a pervasive and growing risk to national security and economic stability.

Reviewing a number of the most relevant narrative items indicates that media sources are portraying cyberattacks with varying degrees of urgency and concern, reflecting their unique narratives and biases. Guangming Daily describes the cyberattacks on Sri Lankan government websites in a neutral tone, focusing on the ongoing investigations without sensationalizing the events, while highlighting warnings issued about vulnerabilities. In contrast, SA Majorities4Trump emphasizes the significant negative impact of industrial cyberattacks, using loaded language such as "devastating" to elevate the perceived threat. The Times of India discusses the alarming frequency of cyberattacks in Telangana, portraying it in a negative light as a noteworthy concern for national security. Modern Diplomacy presents Pakistan's cybersecurity struggles through a grave perspective, insisting on the urgent need for resources and reforms, which reflects a critical stance towards governmental inadequacies. Meanwhile, The Japan News and The Siasat Daily assess the situations in Japan and Israel, respectively, portraying the incidents as serious threats while noting some defensive measures being undertaken, but they use calm language compared to the emotionally charged rhetoric seen elsewhere. Iran Press takes a defensive approach regarding accusations against China, labeling them as unfounded, thus portraying the country in a positive light, while Telesur English aligns with this by supporting China's rebuttal against U.S. allegations. Overall, while there are common themes of vulnerability and the need for improved cybersecurity, the differences in language and focus highlight the biases and perspectives of each outlet.

About This Module

The Foreign Malign Influencers module tracks thousands of media organizations and individuals known to advance narratives that favor Russian, Chinese, Iranian, and similar interests.

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Sources

Sources by Type
Sources of these types represent most of the amplification activity around this narrative
sources by Volume
These sources are amplifying the most items involved in this narrative. Click to see details of each source's narrative activity.
Top sources
Day-by-day volumetric activity of sources amplifying the most items around this narrative
Australian National Review
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Indian Defence News
5% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
The Japan News
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Firstpost
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Bangkok Post
3% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
UkrInform
3% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Modern Diplomacy
3% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
TASS
3% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
BusinessWorld
3% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
The Siasat Daily
3% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
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Top Items

These narrative items are the most relevant and/or the most amplified. Click to see details and suggested messages.
Amplifiers:
Guangming Daily
en.gmw.cn
Sri Lankan police, gov't websites hit by cyber attacks
Sri Lankan government websites, including the police department's YouTube channel and the Department of Government Printing's website, were hit by cyberattacks. Police and the SLCERT are investigating, following a prior warning about website vulnerabilities.
Amplifiers:
Guangming Daily
en.gmw.cn
Sri Lankan police, gov't websites hit by cyber attacks
Sri Lankan government websites, including the police department's YouTube channel and the Department of Government Printing's website, suffered cyberattacks. Police and SLCERT are investigating, following a prior warning about website vulnerabilities.
Amplifiers:
SA Majorities4Trump
the420.in
Biggest Cyber Attacks on Industrial Critical Infrastructure in 2024: A Year in Review
In Q2 2024, industrial cyberattacks surged 16% to 35 confirmed incidents, with manufacturing hardest hit. Ransomware caused significant operational disruptions and data breaches, notably affecting CDK Global ($1 billion loss) and LivaNova. The US, Germany, and Australia were most affected, highlighting the need for improved cybersecurity across all sectors, especially among vendors and IoT devices.
Amplifiers:
The Times of India
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Telangana tops country in cyber attacks: Data Security Council of India | Hyderabad News - Times of India
Telangana experiences the most cyberattacks in India, exceeding Tamil Nadu and Delhi, primarily targeting finance and healthcare. Attackers are increasingly targeting smaller cities with weaker security.
Amplifiers:
Modern Diplomacy
moderndiplomacy.eu
Cyber Pandora’s Box
Pakistan faces a critical cybersecurity vulnerability. Despite progress in the Global Cybersecurity Index, the nation lacks sufficient resources and trained personnel to defend against increasing cyberattacks, jeopardizing its economy and national security. A proactive, comprehensive approach—including a unified Cyber-Command, increased investment, strengthened laws, and public awareness campaigns—is urgently needed to prevent devastating consequences.
Amplifiers:
The Japan News
japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
Cyberattacks: Build Defense Systems for Key Elements of Infrastructure
A series of cyberattacks targeted Japan Airlines and MUFG Bank, disrupting services. While no major data breaches occurred, the attacks highlight vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Investigations are underway, and the government is considering proactive cyber defense systems to prevent future incidents.
Amplifiers:
BusinessWorld
bworldonline.com
PHL cyberattacks top 4,000 per week - BusinessWorld Online
Philippine organizations face a cyberattack average of 4,003 per week, significantly higher than the Asia-Pacific average. This increase in frequency and sophistication impacts 70% of organizations, exposing sensitive data. Malicious attacks and human error are the leading causes of data breaches.
Amplifiers:
Iran Press
iranpress.com
Cyber Attack hits Israeli Banks
A cyberattack disrupted Israeli banking services, specifically credit card systems, for the second time in two weeks. Israeli officials remain silent, while experts link the increased attacks to the ongoing Gaza conflict, citing hundreds of major cyberattacks since October 7th.
Amplifiers:
The Siasat Daily
siasat.com
Israel reports 517 cyberattacks against colleges since outbreak of Gaza conflict
Since October's Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israel's National Cyber Directorate reported 517 cyberattacks on universities and colleges. While many were thwarted, some caused significant damage, prompting a national cybersecurity drill for higher education institutions to improve preparedness.
Amplifiers:
Telesur English
telesurenglish.net
China Rejects Accusations of Cyber Attacks Against the U.S. Department of the Treasury - teleSUR English
China denies U.S. Treasury accusations of Chinese state-sponsored cyberattacks, calling them unfounded and lacking evidence. The spokesperson reiterated China's opposition to all hacking and the spread of disinformation targeting Beijing.
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Themes

Tap or click for details
These adjacent themes are currently being amplified along with the main narrative. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
Government's crackdown on unregistered VPNs
The Pakistani government's crackdown on unregistered VPNs, citing their exploitation for illicit activities, has led to a registration deadline and raised concerns about internet access and censorship.
Fraudsters exploit online relationships for scams
Fraudsters are using social media to create fake romantic relationships, luring victims into scams involving non-existent cryptocurrency investments, with foreign individuals training local Nigerians to assist in these operations.
US-China Cybersecurity Tensions
Recent allegations by US media suggest that Chinese hackers may have compromised federal eavesdropping systems and major telecommunications providers, prompting a response from China's Foreign Ministry.
Self-Reliance in Defence Production
Defence Minister emphasizes self-reliance in defence production and highlights India's progress in crossing ₹1 lakh crore in defence production
Space militarization has major geopolitical consequences.
The United Nations and international organizations are essential in promoting dialogue on space security, as militarization in space can alter global power dynamics.
Government and SMEs prioritize cybersecurity solutions
The government, financial services, and manufacturing sectors lead in cybersecurity spending, while SMEs are adopting affordable security services as advanced persistent threats grow.
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Entities

Tap or click for details
These entities are mentioned most frequently in the narratives highlighted in this brief. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
Technologies
Ransomware
Malware causing significant operational disruptions and data breaches.
Cyber defense systems
Proactive systems being considered by the Japanese government to prevent future cyber incidents.
IoT devices
Internet of Things devices that are increasingly targeted in cyberattacks.
Organizations
SLCERT
Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team investigating cyberattacks.
National Cyber Directorate
Israeli organization reporting on cyberattacks against universities.
Department of Government Printing
Sri Lankan government department targeted in cyberattacks.
Events
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Conflict that has led to increased cyberattacks on Israel.
Cybersecurity drill
National drill for higher education institutions in Israel to improve cybersecurity preparedness.
Q2 2024 cyberattacks surge
A reported 16% increase in industrial cyberattacks during the second quarter of 2024.
People
Officials
Israeli officials remain silent regarding the cyberattacks.
Experts
Cybersecurity experts link increased attacks to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Spokesperson
Chinese spokesperson denies U.S. accusations of state-sponsored cyberattacks.
Companies
CDK Global
Company that suffered a $1 billion loss due to ransomware.
LivaNova
Company affected by ransomware causing operational disruptions.
Technologies
Ransomware
Malware causing significant operational disruptions and data breaches.
Cyber defense systems
Proactive systems being considered by the Japanese government to prevent future cyber incidents.
IoT devices
Internet of Things devices that are increasingly targeted in cyberattacks.
Organizations
SLCERT
Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team investigating cyberattacks.
National Cyber Directorate
Israeli organization reporting on cyberattacks against universities.
Department of Government Printing
Sri Lankan government department targeted in cyberattacks.
Events
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Conflict that has led to increased cyberattacks on Israel.
Cybersecurity drill
National drill for higher education institutions in Israel to improve cybersecurity preparedness.
Q2 2024 cyberattacks surge
A reported 16% increase in industrial cyberattacks during the second quarter of 2024.
People
Officials
Israeli officials remain silent regarding the cyberattacks.
Experts
Cybersecurity experts link increased attacks to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Spokesperson
Chinese spokesperson denies U.S. accusations of state-sponsored cyberattacks.
Companies
CDK Global
Company that suffered a $1 billion loss due to ransomware.
LivaNova
Company affected by ransomware causing operational disruptions.

Context

Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia, faces significant challenges in cybersecurity, particularly as it navigates a complex socio-political landscape. The recent cyberattacks on government websites, including those of the police department, underscore vulnerabilities in its digital infrastructure. With a population of approximately 22 million, Sri Lanka is ethnically diverse, with Sinhalese and Tamils being the largest groups. This diversity can lead to social tensions, which may be exacerbated by the government's ability to secure sensitive information.

Economically, Sri Lanka has been recovering from a severe financial crisis, which has strained resources that could otherwise be allocated to enhancing cybersecurity measures. The country’s military, which plays a crucial role in national security, is also involved in cybersecurity efforts, but it faces challenges in terms of training and resources. The geopolitical context, including relations with neighboring India and China, adds another layer of complexity to its security considerations.

Geographically, Sri Lanka's strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a focal point for maritime trade, but it also attracts cyber threats from various actors. The rise in cyberattacks across the region, as seen in neighboring countries like Pakistan and India, highlights a broader trend of increasing cyber vulnerabilities in South Asia.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, Sri Lanka must prioritize the development of a robust cybersecurity framework, including public awareness campaigns and investment in technology and personnel. The need for a unified approach to cybersecurity is critical, not only for protecting government assets but also for ensuring the stability and security of the nation as a whole.
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