TOP OF THE DAY

 

A Look At The Official Opening of UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre

 

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 6 November 2024) The UK officially launched the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), a new 4,000-square-meter facility at Harwell Campus, aiming to drive advances in quantum technology across industries. The opening of the center is part of the UK’s wider strategy to lead in quantum technology. Recent investments include £93 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), along with further funding for quantum research hubs and doctoral training centres. This support underscores the UK’s commitment to becoming a global leader in quantum technology, aiming to boost GDP, strengthen the NHS, and enhance digital infrastructure. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/06/a-look-at-the-official-opening-of-uks-national-quantum-computing-centre/

Sovereign AI in a Hybrid World: National Strategies and Policy Responses

(Pablo Chavez – Lawfare – 7 November 2024) What is emerging (…) is a picture of governments challenging the binary nature of U.S.-China competition in AI and asserting themselves in ways that could influence and potentially reshape the global AI space. How much impact governments’ AI-building efforts will have—and even, in some cases, how genuine they are—remains to be seen. Independent of the outcomes, various national governments’ AI strategies and tactics present both challenges and opportunities for the U.S. As it seeks to maintain leadership in AI, the U.S. must navigate these dynamics while shaping international governance, enhancing economic cooperation, and supporting the success of open, democratic, and rule-based societies. – https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sovereign-ai-in-a-hybrid-world–national-strategies-and-policy-responses

UK Regulator Urges Stronger Data Protection in AI Recruitment Tools

(James Coker – Infosecurity Magazine – 7 November 2024) The UK’s data protection regulator has warned AI recruitment tool providers to better protect job seekers’ data rights, mitigating discrimination and other privacy concerns. AI is increasingly being used by recruitment companies to make their processes more efficient, such as helping to source potential candidates, summarize CVs and score applicants. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/uk-regulator-data-protection-ai/

 

Industry’s take on the chief artificial intelligence officer role

 

(Frank Konkel – NextGov – 6 November 2024) In 2012, the Harvard Business Review famously declared the role of data scientist “the sexiest job of the 21st Century.”. In 2024, a similar claim could be made for the role of the chief artificial intelligence officer, or CAIO, especially as it relates to technology jobs. Over the past 24 months, companies from Amazon to Zendesk — and as different in the services they provide as Hinge and Tractor Supply Company — have hired or designated positions to oversee their AI efforts. Dozens of federal agencies have quickly followed suit, naming CAIOs in response to President Joe Biden’s October 2023 executive order. The departments of Veterans Affairs, State and Energy and other agencies have installed CAIOs in the past year to oversee AI efforts and balance risk and innovation. Yet the chief AI role originated in the private sector, so companies — especially those in tech — have had a little more time to flesh out the role. According to a survey by Foundry, one in four enterprise companies either have an AI chief or are seeking candidates to fill the position. How are industry leaders deploying AI chiefs and what recommendations do they have for their public sector counterparts? –  https://www.nextgov.com/artificial-intelligence/2024/11/industrys-take-chief-artificial-intelligence-officer-role/400883/?oref=ng-homepage-river

 

CYBERSECURITY

 

Interlock Ransomware Targets US Healthcare, IT and Government Sectors

 

(Alessandro Mascellino – Infosecurity Magazine – 7 November 2024) A new ransomware group called Interlock has been observed by threat analysts conducting targeted attacks across sectors including US healthcare, IT and government and European manufacturing. According to a report published by Cisco Talos today, Interlock employs both “big-game hunting” and double extortion tactics, where compromised data is stolen and threatened to be released publicly unless a ransom is paid. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/interlock-ransomware-us-healthcare/

 

Texas-based oilfield supplier faces disruptions following ransomware attack

 

(Jonathan Greig – The Record – 7 November 2024) A key supplier for oilfields said a ransomware attack last week has caused disruptions and limited access to certain systems. In a regulatory filing on Thursday evening, Newpark Resources said it discovered the ransomware attack on October 29 that affected internal information systems. – https://therecord.media/oilfield-supplier-faces-disruptions-cyberattack

 

North Korea allegedly targeting crypto businesses with Mac-focused malware

 

(Joonathan Greig – The Record – 7 November 2024) Mac users in the crypto industry are being targeted with malware by suspected North Korean hackers looking to siphon funds, according to a new report. Cybersecurity firm SentinelOne published a report on Thursday that links an incident they observed in October to several other attacks that have occurred since April 2023.  – https://therecord.media/north-korea-bluenoroff-mac-malware-crypto-industry

 

NCSC Publishes Tips to Tackle Malvertising Threat

 

(Phil Muncaster – Infosecurity Magazine – 7 November 2024) Brands should demand their ad partners prioritize cybersecurity best practices, collaboration and transparency if they are to mitigate the threat of malvertising on their websites, according to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The UK security agency wants brands to ask their digital advertising partners to follow the principles laid out in new guidance it published yesterday, and demonstrate compliance with independent industry-recognised certifications such as those from TAG or IAB UK. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/ncsc-publishes-tips-tackle/

 

Defenders Outpace Attackers in AI Adoption

 

(James Coker – Infosecurity Magazine – 7 November 2024) Cybercriminals’ use of AI is more limited than is generally reported or demonstrated by security researchers. Meanwhile, investment in AI by the cybersecurity sector is set to give defenders the edge over threat actors, according to Trend Micro’s Director, Forward Looking Threat Research – Cybercrime Research, Robert McArdle. Speaking during IRISSCON 2024 in Dublin, McArdle said that given the contrasting scale of investment and emphasis on AI in cybersecurity, defenders will gain an advantage over attackers. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/defenders-attackers-ai-adoption/

 

Cyber-Attack on Microlise Disrupts DHL and Serco Tracking Services

 

(Alessandro Mascellino – 6 November 2024) A cyber-attack targeting telematics provider Microlise has disrupted tracking services for key clients like DHL and Serco while exposing some employee data. The company, which supplies asset-tracking software to large corporations, announced the breach on October 31. Following the disclosure, Microlise’s stock price dropped by 16%, and the company has been working to restore its systems by the end of the week. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/cyberattack-microlise-disrupts-dhl/

 

IRISSCON: Organizations Still Falling Victim to Predictable Cyber-Attacks

(James Coker – Infosecurity Magazine – 6 November 2024) Despite most cyber threats, like ransomware, being both known and predictable, many orgnaizations are still underprepared. Experts speaking at the IRISSCON 2024 conference in Dublin noted that many incidents are indeed preventable. Analyzing the findings from Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) 2024, Phillip Larbey, Associate Director for EMEA at Verizon, said that the vast majority of cyber incidents involve at least one of three elements – human error, social engineering and ransomware. – https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/orgs-victim-predictable-attacks/

DEFENSE, INTELLIGENCE, AND WAR

After USV export deal with Qatar, Turkish defense exec sees interest from ‘all the world’

(Agnes Helou – Breaking Defense – 6 November 2024) Fresh off signing a deal to export an armed, unmanned maritime surface vessel to Qatar, a senior executive at the Turkish defense firm Meteksan said demand is only growing. “All the world is now much interested in attaining such unmanned surface vessels or unmanned maritime technology,” Meteksan’s Vice Chairman of the Board Selçuk Kerem Alparslan told Breaking Defense in an interview. Last week Meteksan inked a deal with the Qatari Coast Guard to export the ULAQ 11 USV — so named for being 11 meters long — which was developed alongside Turkey’s ARES Shipyard, what Alparslan described as a first for Turkey. – https://breakingdefense.com/2024/11/after-usv-export-deal-with-qatar-turkish-defense-exec-sees-interest-from-all-the-world/

Saab makes play into autonomy software market aimed at unmanned ships

(Justin Katz – Breaking Defense – 6 November 2024) Swedish defense contractor Saab is throwing its hat into the market of maritime autonomy software, debuting its new “Autonomous Ocean Core” designed to offer navies the ability to command and control surface and subsurface platforms from afar — as far as the city of Paris sits from the islands off the coast of Sweden. “Autonomous Ocean Core can boost key operational strengths for the dull, dirty, dangerous and dear. This control system gives our customers a tactical edge, increasing availability and efficiency and becoming less dependent on active manpower,” said Mats Wicksell, senior vice president and head of Saab’s business area Kockums. – https://breakingdefense.com/2024/11/saab-makes-play-into-autonomy-software-market-aimed-at-unmanned-ships/

What the Army learned from its first all-digital ground vehicle design

(Lauren C. Williams – Defense One – 6 November 2024) The Army is betting on digital engineering to save time and money as it develops its new infantry combat vehicle. “XM-30 is being built through a modular open standard that allows us, in theory, to more rapidly replace components, which allows us to modernize more quickly,” Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, the program executive officer for ground combat systems, told Defense One during an interview. The Army has traditionally deployed an updated combat vehicle “about every 10 years,” Dean said. “Some of that’s driven by the industrial timelines of what it takes to stand up the supply chain in the factory and building the vehicle, but some of that’s because the way we have architected software in the past is not as flexible.” – https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2024/11/what-army-learned-its-first-all-digital-ground-vehicle-design/400857/?oref=d1-featured-river-top

 

FRONTIERS

 

Multiverses, Turing Machines & Quantum Headaches: David Deutsch Explains It All

 

(James Dargan – Quantum Insider – 7 November 2024) David Deutsch, a pioneer in quantum computing and the “many worlds” theory, emphasized in a recent interview that quantum theory is the most fundamental in physics, despite early misinterpretations, and supported the “many worlds” interpretation as the correct understanding of quantum phenomena. In a recent interview, he explained that quantum computers, which exploit quantum interference, have the potential to revolutionize computation, outperforming classical computers, though we are still in the early stages of quantum development with no universal quantum computer yet built. Deutsch connected quantum theory to broader cosmic implications, such as its influence on the structure of the universe, while highlighting the importance of problem-solving in advancing both quantum physics and interdisciplinary knowledge. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/07/multiverses-turing-machines-quantum-headaches-david-deutsch-explains-it-all/

 

Navigating DNS Security in a Quantum-Powered World

 

(James Dargan – Quantum Insider – 7 November 2024) Ulrich Wisser, speaking at the Netnod Tech Meeting 2024, reassured that quantum computers are not yet capable of breaking encryption but emphasized the importance of preparing for future threats, as quantum advancements progress steadily. Wisser highlighted the vulnerability of DNSSEC, which relies on public-key cryptography, to future quantum attacks, and stressed the need for long-term preparations, including crypto agility and transitioning to quantum-safe algorithms like Falcon. While immediate action isn’t required, Wisser urged the community to monitor developments closely, as preparing the entire DNS ecosystem for quantum-safe encryption will take significant time and effort. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/07/navigating-dns-security-in-a-quantum-powered-world/

 

SPINUS Project Uses Diamonds to Build Scalable, Room-Temperature Quantum Computers for Real-World Applications

 

(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 7 November 2024) European scientists, funded by a €10 million (approximately $10.8 million) consortium, are developing a room-temperature quantum computer using diamonds and silicon carbide. The SPINUS project uses nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in synthetic diamonds to create programmable qubits, enabling efficient quantum computing without extreme cooling. By using these NV centers, SPINUS plans to create quantum simulators with over 50 qubits and quantum computers with over 10 qubits, with plans to scale up to 1,000 and 100 qubits, respectively, within five years. The project, concluding in 2027, unites Europe’s top research institutions, intending to advance fields like drug discovery, optimization, and materials science through modular and scalable quantum processors. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/07/spinus-project-uses-diamonds-to-build-scalable-room-temperature-quantum-computers-for-real-world-applications/

 

Researchers Explore Layered Hybrid Superlattice Sandwich To Serve Up Versatile Quantum Devices

 

(Matt Swayne – Quantum Insider – 7 November 2024) Researchers report on a high-tech layered hybrid superlattices (LHSLs) sandwich that combines crystalline atomic layers with molecular interlayers, creating a versatile new material platform for quantum computing and electronics.HSLs use van der Waals forces to integrate molecular layers within crystalline structures without disrupting atomic bonds, allowing precise customization of quantum properties like charge and spin. This design could lead to room-temperature quantum devices and opens up possibilities for more adaptable, efficient quantum materials that support applications in computing, sensing and beyond. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/07/researchers-explore-layered-hybrid-superlattice-sandwich-to-serve-up-versatile-quantum-devices/

 

IonQ and Ansys Partner to Integrate Quantum Computing into Engineering Simulations

(Cierra Choucair – Quantum Insider – 7 November 2024) IonQ and Ansys are collaborating to bring quantum computing to the computer-aided engineering (CAE) industry, with a goal to accelerate simulations, reduce development timelines, and make high-fidelity design accessible to quantum and non-quantum experts alike. Ansys will leverage IonQ’s quantum computing capabilities to enhance its simulation software across various fields, including structural, optical, photonic, and electromagnetic applications, supporting next-generation product innovation. This partnership enables IonQ to expand into the CAE market, a significant sector in high-performance computing, while continuing to support major enterprises like Airbus and Hyundai in integrating quantum solutions. – https://thequantuminsider.com/2024/11/07/ionq-and-ansys-partner-to-integrate-quantum-computing-into-engineering-simulations/