Trump's National Fraud Enforcement Plan Falls Short

Suparna Goswami • January 15, 2026

Citing recent high-profile arrests of fraud rings in Minnesota, President Donald Trump announced the creation of National Fraud Enforcement division in the Department of Justice. Sounds nice, but will it make a difference without deeper coordination with banks, payment platforms and businesses?

Litigation

Orca, Wiz End Dueling Lawsuits Over Cloud Security Patents

Latest

Advanced SOC Operations / CSOC

Torq Gets $140M Series D to Fuel AI-Powered SOC Capabilities

Michael Novinson • January 15, 2026

Torq secured $140 million in Series D funding at a $1.2 billion valuation to expand its generative AI-powered security operations platform. With backing from Merlin Ventures, Torq will grow internationally, deepen AI research and pursue U.S. federal opportunities including FedRAMP certification.

Attack Surface Management

CISA, Allies Sound Alarm on OT Network Exposure

Chris Riotta • January 15, 2026

U.S. and allied cyber agencies issued new guidance warning that insecure operational technology connectivity - driven by remote access, third-party vendors and IT integration - remains a major threat vector, enabling cyber intrusions to escalate into physical disruptions.

Encryption & Key Management

CIO Playbook for Post-Quantum Security

Jennifer Lawinski • January 15, 2026

Quantum security migrations are multi-year, cross-functional projects that touch product, infrastructure and supply chains. While the scope of migration can be daunting, CIOs can follow several practical steps to make the project more manageable, said Forrester's Sandy Carielli.

Cybercrime

Breach Roundup: Software Update Caused Verizon Outage

Pooja Tikekar • January 15, 2026

This week, a software flaw caused the Verizon outage. U.S. cyberattack in Venezuela. ICE identities published online. BreachForums users leaked. Spanish energy provider Endesa data breach. Telegram privacy risk. A MuddyWater upgrade. Dutch man sentenced for hacking a maritime port. A ServiceNow patch.

Next-Generation Technologies & Secure Development

Infoblox Buys Axur to Expand Cyberthreat Takedown Power

Michael Novinson • January 15, 2026

Infoblox is acquiring Axur, a Brazilian leader in digital risk protection, to bolster its preemptive cyberthreat defense. Axur automates phishing and rogue site takedowns using AI, delivering near-instant response and visibility into attacker infrastructure.

Cybercrime

For-Profit Monroe University Notifies 321,000 of Data Theft

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee • January 15, 2026

A for-profit university with campuses in New York and the Caribbean is notifying nearly 321,000 individuals of a December 2024 data theft incident that compromised their personal and health information. Monroe University is among the latest educational institutions disclosing hacks.

Government

Trump Renominates Sean Plankey to Lead CISA

Chris Riotta • January 15, 2026

The White House has renominated Sean Plankey to head CISA, reviving a stalled bid hindered by Senate holds and demands to release a report on telecom sector threats linked to China, as the agency continues to operate without a permanent director amid rising cyber risks.

Fraud Management & Cybercrime

Ransomware by the Numbers: Count of Victims and Groups Surge

Mathew J. Schwartz • January 15, 2026

Here's unwelcome ransomware news: Groups' victim listings and underground chatter suggest that the count of victims and number of criminal groups behind such attacks have both risen over the past 12 months, despite repeat disruptions by law enforcement, fierce competition and fewer victims paying.

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

Cryptohack Roundup: UK Crypto Firms Tied to Iran Sanctions

Rashmi Ramesh • January 15, 2026

This week, U.K. crypto exchanges linked to Iranian sanctions evasion, NodeCordRAT malware spread via npm, an FBI alert on North Korean QR-code phishing, illicit crypto hit $154 billion in 2025 and U.S. President Donald Trump said he won't pardon Sam Bankman-Fried.

Leadership & Executive Communication

Incorporating Geopolitical Risk Into Your IT Strategy

Jennifer Lawinski • January 14, 2026

IT organizations know how to plan for outages, but even the most rigorously designed strategy is vulnerable to the shifting winds of geopolitics. CIOs and technology leaders need to know how their organizations will respond to geopolitical disruptions, and scenario planning needs to be a priority.

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Washington Scrutinizes Trump's Push for AI Speed Over Safety

Chris Riotta • January 14, 2026

The White House is shifting to artificial intelligence policy execution with a focus on deregulation, tech exports and energy capacity, according to the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, framing global tech competition with China as a national priority.

Fraud Management & Cybercrime

PharMerica Will Pay at Least $5.2M to Settle Hack Lawsuit

Marianne Kolbasuk McGee • January 14, 2026

Pharmacy services firm PharMerica will pay at least $5.27 million - plus millions more on enhancing its security - as part of a preliminary class action settlement approved this week by a federal court involving a 2023 data theft incident the company reported as affecting 5.8 million individuals.