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Internet
AWS Business Cyber Security Global IT Outage Government Internet

The Fragile Internet: How Small Failures Trigger Global Outages






The modern internet, though vast and advanced, remains surprisingly delicate. A minor technical fault or human error can disrupt millions of users worldwide, revealing how dependent our lives have become on digital systems.

On October 20, 2025, a technical error in a database service operated by Amazon Web Services (AWS) caused widespread outages across several online platforms. AWS, one of the largest cloud computing providers globally, hosts the infrastructure behind thousands of popular websites and apps. As a result, users found services such as Roblox, Fortnite, Pokémon Go, Snapchat, Slack, and multiple banking platforms temporarily inaccessible. The incident showed how a single malfunction in a key cloud system can paralyze numerous organizations at once.

Such disruptions are not new. In July 2024, a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike crashed around 8.5 million Windows computers globally, producing the infamous “blue screen of death.” Airlines had to cancel tens of thousands of flights, hospitals postponed surgeries, and emergency services across the United States faced interruptions. Businesses reverted to manual operations, with some even switching to cash transactions. The event became a global lesson in how a single rushed software update can cripple essential infrastructure.

History provides many similar warnings. In 1997, a technical glitch at Network Solutions Inc., a major domain registrar, temporarily disabled every website ending in “.com” and “.net.” Though the number of websites was smaller then, the event marked the first large-scale internet failure, showing how dependent the digital world had already become on centralized systems.

Some outages, however, have stemmed from physical damage. In 2011, an elderly woman in Georgia accidentally cut through a fiber-optic cable while scavenging for copper, disconnecting the entire nation of Armenia from the internet. The incident exposed how a single damaged cable could isolate millions of users. Similarly, in 2017, a construction vehicle in South Africa severed a key line, knocking Zimbabwe offline for hours. Even undersea cables face threats, with sharks and other marine life occasionally biting through them, forcing companies like Google to reinforce cables with protective materials.

In 2022, Canada witnessed one of its largest connectivity failures when telecom provider Rogers Communications experienced a system breakdown that halted internet and phone services for roughly a quarter of the country. Emergency calls, hospital appointments, and digital payments were affected nationwide, highlighting the deep societal consequences of a single network failure.

Experts warn that such events will keep occurring. As networks grow more interconnected, even a small mistake or single-point failure can spread rapidly. Cybersecurity analysts emphasize the need for stronger redundancy, slower software rollouts, and diversified cloud dependencies to prevent global disruptions.

The internet connects nearly every part of modern life, yet these incidents remind us that it remains vulnerable. Whether caused by human error, faulty code, or damaged cables, the web’s fragility shows why constant vigilance, better infrastructure planning, and verified information are essential to keeping the world online.



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Legal risks
Business Compliance Cyber Security IT Legal risks

The Price of Cyberattacks: Why the Real Damage Goes Beyond the Ransom

 




When news breaks about a cyberattack, the ransom demand often steals the spotlight. It’s the most visible figure, millions demanded, negotiations unfolding, and sometimes, payment made. But in truth, that amount only scratches the surface. The real costs of a cyber incident often emerge long after the headlines fade, in the form of business disruptions, shaken trust, legal pressures, and a long, difficult road to recovery.

One of the most common problems organizations face after a breach is the communication gap between technical experts and senior leadership. While the cybersecurity team focuses on containing the attack, tracing its source, and preserving evidence, the executives are under pressure to reassure clients, restore operations, and navigate complex reporting requirements.

Each group works with valid priorities, but without coordination, efforts can collide. A system that’s isolated for forensic investigation may also be the one that the operations team needs to serve customers. This misalignment is avoidable if organizations plan beyond technology by assigning clear responsibilities across departments and conducting regular crisis simulations to ensure a unified response when an attack hits.

When systems go offline, the impact ripples across every department. A single infected server can halt manufacturing lines, delay financial transactions, or force hospitals to revert to manual record-keeping. Even after the breach is contained, lost time translates into lost revenue and strained customer relationships.

Many companies underestimate downtime in their recovery strategies. Backup plans often focus on restoring data, but not on sustaining operations during outages. Every organization should ask: Can employees access essential tools if systems are locked? Can management make decisions without their usual dashboards? If those answers are uncertain, then the recovery plan is incomplete.

Beyond financial loss, cyber incidents leave a lasting mark on reputation. Customers and partners may begin to question whether their information is safe. Rebuilding that trust requires transparent, timely, and fact-based communication. Sharing too much before confirming the facts can create confusion; saying too little can appear evasive.

Recovery also depends on how well a company understands its data environment. If logs are incomplete or investigations are slow, regaining credibility becomes even harder. The most effective organizations balance honesty with precision, updating stakeholders as verified information becomes available.

The legal consequences of a cyber incident often extend further than companies expect. Even if a business does not directly store consumer data, it may still have obligations under privacy laws, vendor contracts, or insurance terms. State and international regulations increasingly require timely disclosure of breaches, and failing to comply can result in penalties.

Engaging legal and compliance teams before a crisis ensures that everyone understands the organization’s obligations and can act quickly under pressure.

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it’s a core business concern. Effective protection depends on organization-wide preparedness. That means bridging gaps between departments, creating holistic response plans that include legal and communication teams, and regularly testing how those plans perform under real-world pressure.

Businesses that focus on resilience, not just recovery, are better positioned to minimize disruption, maintain trust, and recover faster if a cyber incident occurs.



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Technology
AI Business ChatGPT Cloud Data Data Leak GenAI Technology

CISOs fear material losses amid rising cyberattacks


Chief information security officers (CISOs) are worried about the dangers of a cyberattack, and there is an anxiety due to the material losses of data that organizations have suffered in the past year.

According to a report by Proofpoint, the majority of CISOs fear a material cyberattack in the next 12 months. These concerns highlight the increasing risks and cultural shifts among CISOs.

Changing roles of CISOs

“76% of CISOs anticipate a material cyberattack in the next year, with human risk and GenAI-driven data loss topping their concerns,” Proofpoint said. In this situation, corporate stakeholders are trying to get a better understanding of the risks involved when it comes to tech and whether they are safe or not. 

Experts believe that CISOs are being more open about these attacks, thanks to SEC disclosure rules, strict regulations, board expectations, and enquiries. The report surveyed 1,600 CISOs worldwide; all the organizations had more than 1000 employees. 

Doing business is a concern

The study highlights a rising concern about doing business amid incidents of cyberattacks. Although the majority of CISOs are confident about their cybersecurity culture, six out of 10 CISOs said their organizations are not prepared for a cyberattack. The majority of the CISOs were found in favour of paying ransoms to avoid the leak of sensitive data.

AI: Saviour or danger?

AI has risen both as a top concern as well as a top priority for CISOs. Two-thirds of CISOs believe that enabling GenAI tools is a top priority over the next two years, despite the ongoing risks. In the US, however, 80% CISOs worry about possible data breaches through GenAI platforms. 

With adoption rates rising, organizations have started to move from restriction to governance. “Most are responding with guardrails: 67% have implemented usage guidelines, and 68% are exploring AI-powered defenses, though enthusiasm has cooled from 87% last year. More than half (59%) restrict employee use of GenAI tools altogether,” Proofpoint said.

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Technology
AI Automation Business Enterprise Organization security Technology

Threat Alert: Hackers Using AI and New Tech to Target Businesses

Threat Alert: Hackers Using AI and New Tech to Target Businesses

Hackers are exploiting the advantages of new tech and the availability of credentials, commercial tools, and other resources to launch advanced attacks faster, causing concerns among cybersecurity professionals. 

Global Threat Landscape Report 2025

The 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report by FortiGuard Labs highlights a “dramatic escalation in scale and advancement of cyberattacks” due to the fast adoption of the present hostile tech and commercial malware and attacker toolkits.  

According to the report, the data suggests cybercriminals are advancing faster than ever, “automating reconnaissance, compressing the time between vulnerability disclosure and exploitation, and scaling their operations through the industrialization of cybercrime.”

According to the researchers, hackers are exploiting all types of threat resources in a “systematic way” to disrupt traditional advantages enjoyed by defenders. This has put organizations on alert as they are implementing new defense measures and leveling up to mitigate these changing threats. 

Game changer AI

AI has become a key tool for hackers in launching phishing attacks which are highly effective and work as initial access vectors for more harmful attacks like identity theft or ransomware.

A range of new tools such as WormGPT and FraudGPT text generators; DeepFaceLab and Faceswap deepfake tools; BlackmailerV3, an AI-driven extortion toolkit for customizing automatic blackmail emails, and AI-generated phishing pages like Robin Banks and EvilProxy, making it simple for threat actors to make a swift and dirty cybercrime business. 

The report highlights that the growing cybercrime industry is running on “cheap and accessible wins.” With AI evolving, the bar has dropped for cybercriminals to access tactics and intelligence needed for cyberattacks “regardless of an adversary's technical knowledge.”

These tools also allow cybercriminals to build better and more convincing phishing threats and scale a cybercriminal enterprise faster, increasing their success rate. 

Attackers leveraging automated scanning

Attackers are now using automated scanning for vulnerable systems reaching “unprecedented levels” at billions of scans per month, 36,000 scans every second. The report suggests a yearly rise in active scanning to 16.7%. The defenders have less time to patch vulnerable systems due to threat actors leveraging automation, disclosing security loopholes impacting organizations. 

According to researchers, “Tools like SIPVicious and commercial scanning tools are weaponized to identify soft targets before patches can be applied, signaling a significant 'left-of-boom' shift in adversary strategy.”

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Ransomware
Business Cyber Crime Finance Sector Identity Theft Ransomware

Ransomware Gangs Target Weekends and Holidays for Maximum Impact

 


A new report by cybersecurity firm Semperis reveals that ransomware gangs are increasingly launching attacks during weekends and holidays when organisations are less equipped to respond. The study found that 86 percent of ransomware incidents occurred during off-peak times as companies often scale back their security operations centre (SOC) staffing. While most organisations claim to run 24/7 SOCs, 85% admit to reducing staff by up to half on weekends and holidays, leaving critical systems more exposed. According to Dan Lattimer, an area vice president at Semperis, many organisations cannot afford the high cost of maintaining full SOC coverage each day. He noted, for example, that some organisations assume they are less exposed to risk during weekends because fewer employees are online to fall prey to phishing attacks. Others perceive their exposure being low because they have never had a threat in the past, further reducing the monitoring effort.


Why Cybercriminals Prefer Off-Peak Hours

Attackers leverage these openings to elevate the chances of their success. Performing attacks during weekends or holidays gives them a relatively longer timeframe to conduct an operation secretly so they can encrypt files and steal sensitive information with little hope of interfering soon. According to Lattimer, this tactic increases the chances of receiving ransom money because the organisations are willing to regain control at any critical downtime.

The report also showed that finance and manufacturing were among the most often targeted sectors, with 78 percent and 75 percent of organisations in the respective sectors reporting attacks on weekends or holidays. Furthermore, 63 percent of respondents said the ransomware related to major corporate events such as mergers or layoffs, which often cause additional diversion for IT teams. 


Identity Security Lapses Continue

Another concerning result of the report is that too many companies feel too confident about their identity security. While 81% said to have sufficient defences against identity-related attacks, 83% experienced successful ransomware incidents in the past year. This discrepancy is largely due to lack of budget and resources to properly protect identity systems like AD, a part of core infrastructure.

Semperis noted that without proper funding for identity threat detection and response (ITDR), many organisations are leaving themselves open to attacks. Around 40% of companies either lacked the resources or were unsure about their ability to secure these systems. 


Takeaway

SEMPERIS 2024 RANSOMWARE HOLIDAY RISK REPORT states that businesses must immediately address the vulnerability of weekends. Strengthening cybersecurity measures over holidays, investing in such robust identity protection, and maintaining consistent monitoring can help mitigate such growing risks for organisations. Cybercrime has become so dynamic, and hence organisations must adapt constantly to stay one step ahead.



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VoIP number
Business Cyber Security Security Subscription VoIP number

Fixed VoIP Numbers: Major Benefits and Disadvantages for Businesses

 





One other consideration a business would use to evaluate communications solutions would be the choice between a fixed VoIP number and non-fixed VoIP number. The former costs more money and is associated with complexities in the setting up process. It still possesses some benefits that an organisation needs to operate, however.

Advantages of Fixed VoIP Number


1. Trustworthiness

Tied to a physical address, the fixed VoIP number adds more credence to the business. As compared to the non-fixed VoIP numbers mainly targeted by scammers, fixed numbers are useful in the promotion of greater customer checks on the authenticity of the company, especially for those firms handling regulated sectors like finance, wherein building trust with customers can be very hard.


2. Security 

Fixed VoIP numbers guarantee security because they connect directly to a registered address. Non-fixed numbers are accessed from any internet connection; therefore, the chance of being misused rises. When dealing with sensitive information companies, the fixed VoIP number extra layer security is an added guarantee against such attacks as data breaches.


3. Easier Compliance with Regulations

As in other heavily regulated industries, including finance and healthcare, emergency response also relies on location data accuracy. Fixed VoIP numbers help businesses easily comply with all the requirements, making the cost of compliance low and administrative burdens low.


4. Business Professional Image

With a fixed VoIP number, it is easier to present a stable and established impression. A fixed number helps companies look less like a temporary operation. This can be particularly important for small businesses looking to establish authority and trust in their market.


5. Greater Control for Administrators

Fixed VoIP numbers can guarantee better control over caller IDs and databases over caller names to enable businesses to ensure that their identity is consistent on all calls. The need for maintaining a professional brand image and having precise control over how the business presents itself to clients and partners is very important.


6. Support for Emergency Services

Exact location is a must-have in emergencies. Fixed VoIP numbers provide accurate location information, and this makes it possible to have a quicker response time in cases of crises. This is missing for non-fixed numbers; therefore, fixed VoIP is very useful for industries whose data on location can be termed as a matter of life or death.


Drawbacks of Fixed VoIP Numbers


1. More Costly

Fixed VoIP numbers also require relatively high setup and subscription fees in addition to the expense of address verification for higher-security access. For companies catering to overseas clients, fixed VoIP numbers frequently translate to costlier long-distance calls-however, non-fixed numbers represent a saving grace.


2. Complex Porting Procedure

The transfer of a fixed VoIP number from one place to another can be quite hectic, especially for growing businesses and those changing locations. This is because the porting process is very slow, leaving behind the inflexibility required by the businesses in such cases.


3. Slower Setup

It takes more time to set up a fixed VoIP number as against the prompt setting up for non-fixed numbers. Verification of the physical address and more regulatory compliance requirements extend the time taken to set up, making it inconvenient for businesses that need to access immediately.


4. Geographic Limitations

The fixed VoIP numbers are directly associated with a specific location, hence quite limiting to access the business market. Some clients might be sceptical about communicating with a company that they view as "not local," which may hinder outreach and expansion in areas beyond the business's core location.


Selection Between Fixed and Non-Fixed VoIP Numbers


Depending on the priorities of the business, a fixed VoIP number can be selected. Organisations that require greater security, credibility, and adherence to regulations can invest in fixed VoIP numbers. When cost efficiency and flexibility top the list, then non-fixed numbers are a better option for them.


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Security
AI Business Cyber Security India Mallox RansomHub Ransomware Security

India Faces Rising Ransomware Threat Amid Digital Growth

 


India, with rapid digital growth and reliance on technology, is in the hit list of cybercriminals. As one of the world's biggest economies, the country poses a distinct digital threat that cyber-crooks might exploit due to security holes in businesses, institutions, and personal users.

India recently saw a 51 percent surge in ransomware attacks in 2023 according to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, or CERT-In. Small and medium-sized businesses have been an especially vulnerable target, with more than 300 small banks being forced to close briefly in July after falling prey to a ransomware attack. For millions of Indians using digital banking for daily purchases and payments, such glitches underscore the need for further improvement in cybersecurity measures. A report from Kaspersky shows that 53% of SMBs operating in India have experienced the incidents of ransomware up till now this year, with more than 559 million cases being reported over just two months, starting from April and May this year.

Cyber Thugs are not only locking computers in businesses but extending attacks to individuals, even if it is personal electronic gadgets, stealing sensitive and highly confidential information. A well-organised group of attacks in the wave includes Mallox, RansomHub, LockBit, Kill Security, and ARCrypter. Such entities take advantage of Indian infrastructure weaknesses and focus on ransomware-as-a-service platforms that support Microsoft SQL databases. Recovery costs for affected organisations usually exceeded ₹11 crore and averaged ₹40 crore per incident in India, according to estimates for 2023. The financial sector, in particular the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), has been attacked very dearly, and it is crystal clear that there is an imperative need to strengthen the digital financial framework of India.

Cyber Defence Through AI

Indian organisations are now employing AI to fortify their digital defence. AI-based tools process enormous data in real time and report anomalies much more speedily than any manual system. From financial to healthcare sectors, high-security risks make AI become more integral in cybersecurity strategies in the sector. Lenovo's recent AI-enabled security initiatives exemplify how the technology has become mainstream with 71% of retailers in India adopting or planning to adopt AI-powered security.

As India pushes forward on its digital agenda, the threat of ransomware cannot be taken lightly. It will require intimate collaboration between government and private entities, investment in education in AI and cybersecurity, as well as creating safer environments for digital existence. For this, the government Cyber Commando initiative promises forward movement, but collective endeavours will be crucial to safeguarding India's burgeoning digital economy.


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Privacy
Business Cloud Computing Cloud Services data security Healthcare IT Industry Privacy

Rethinking the Cloud: Why Companies Are Returning to Private Solutions


In the past ten years, public cloud computing has dramatically changed the IT industry, promising businesses limitless scalability and flexibility. By reducing the need for internal infrastructure and specialised personnel, many companies have eagerly embraced public cloud services. However, as their cloud strategies evolve, some organisations are finding that the expected financial benefits and operational flexibility are not always achieved. This has led to a new trend: cloud repatriation, where businesses move some of their workloads back from public cloud services to private cloud environments.

Choosing to repatriate workloads requires careful consideration and strategic thinking. Organisations must thoroughly understand their specific needs and the nature of their workloads. Key factors include how data is accessed, what needs to be protected, and cost implications. A successful repatriation strategy is nuanced, ensuring that critical workloads are placed in the most suitable environments.

One major factor driving cloud repatriation is the rise of edge computing. Research from Virtana indicates that most organisations now use hybrid cloud strategies, with over 80% operating in multiple clouds and around 75% utilising private clouds. This trend is especially noticeable in industries like retail, industrial sectors, transit, and healthcare, where control over computing resources is crucial. The growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has played a defining role, as these devices collect vast amounts of data at the network edge.

Initially, sending IoT data to the public cloud for processing made sense. But as the number of connected devices has grown, the benefits of analysing data at the edge have become clear. Edge computing offers near real-time responses, improved reliability for critical systems, and reduced downtime—essential for maintaining competitiveness and profitability. Consequently, many organisations are moving workloads back from the public cloud to take advantage of localised edge computing.

Concerns over data sovereignty and privacy are also driving cloud repatriation. In sectors like healthcare and financial services, businesses handle large amounts of sensitive data. Maintaining control over this information is vital to protect assets and prevent unauthorised access or breaches. Increased scrutiny from CIOs, CTOs, and boards has heightened the focus on data sovereignty and privacy, leading to more careful evaluations of third-party cloud solutions.

Public clouds may be suitable for workloads not bound by strict data sovereignty laws. However, many organisations find that private cloud solutions are necessary to meet compliance requirements. Factors to consider include the level of control, oversight, portability, and customization needed for specific workloads. Keeping data within trusted environments offers operational and strategic benefits, such as greater control over data access, usage, and sharing.

The trend towards cloud repatriation shows a growing realisation that the public cloud is only sometimes the best choice for every workload. Organisations are increasingly making strategic decisions to align their IT infrastructure with their specific needs and priorities. 



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