Archive for June 24, 2025

BREAKING: iCloud Has Taken A Dirt Nap [UPDATE: Fixed]

Posted in Commentary with tags on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

Apple fanboys are likely freaking out right now as iCloud appears to be down for many based on DownDetector:

Apple’s system status page confirms this with the following services being impacted:

  • iCloud Mail
  • iCloud Web Apps
  • iCloud Storage Upgrades
  • iWork for iCloud
  • Photos

Whatever is going on, it wasn’t the only outage that Apple had today. There was a separate outage issue that impacted Apple’s business users, with Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple School Manager being taken out. Clearly Apple isn’t having a good day today and I hope that this outage is resolved quickly. Because hell hath no fury like a scorned Apple Fanboy.

UPDATE: This now appears to be fixed.

An Unnamed Canadian Telco Was Pwned By Chinese Hackers

Posted in Commentary with tags , on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security and the FBI in the U.S. have put out statements that both state that a unnamed Canadian telco has apparently been pwned by Chinese hackers:

The Cyber Centre is aware of malicious cyber activities currently targeting Canadian telecommunications companies. The responsible actors are almost certainly PRC state-sponsored actors, specifically Salt Typhoon.

Three network devices registered to a Canadian telecommunications company were compromised by likely Salt Typhoon actors in mid-February 2025. The actors exploited CVE-2023-20198 to retrieve the running configuration files from all three devices and modified at least one of the files to configure a GRE tunnel, enabling traffic collection from the network.

In separate investigations, the Cyber Centre has found overlaps with malicious indicators associated with Salt Typhoon, reported by our partners and through industry reporting, which suggests that this targeting is broader than just the telecommunications sector. Targeting of Canadian devices may allow the threat actors to collect information from the victim’s internal network, or use the victim’s device to enable the compromise  of further victims. In some cases, we assess that the threat actors’ activities were very likely limited to network reconnaissance .

While our understanding of this activity continues to evolve, we assess that PRC cyber actors will almost certainly continue to target Canadian organizations as part of this espionage campaign, including telecommunications service providers and their clients, over the next two years. To monitor and mitigate this threat, we encourage Canadian organizations to consult the guidance linked below on hardening networks, security considerations for edge devices, and additional cyber threat information pertaining to the PRC.

So in short, China is has hacked this Canadian telco to snoop on traffic since February 2025. I assume that includes things like text messages and calls, not to mention unencrypted data. That’s not good to say the least. Now I for one would like to know which telco got pwned. And I also would like to know what that telco, along with every other telco in Canada is going to do to ensure that this stops here. Canadians deserve to know that their telcos are doing everything possible to keep their communications safe. So how about it Bell, Rogers, TELUS and Quebecor? Will you do your part to reassure Canadians that this stops here?

Covenant Health network hack claimed by Qilin

Posted in Commentary with tags on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

Ransomware gang Qilin today took credit for a May 2025 cyber-attack against Covenant Health in Massachusetts. Qilin has claimed to have stolen confidential files and has posted images of what it says are documents stolen from the network to prove its claim. 

Paul Bischoff, Consumer Privacy Advocate at Comparitech,provided the following comment: 

“Qilin is a ransomware gang that began claiming responsibility for attacks on its data leak site in late 2022. Based in Russia, Qilin mainly targets victims through phishing emails to spread its ransomware. It launched in August 2022 and runs a ransomware-as-a-service business in which affiliates pay to use Qilin’s malware to launch attacks and collect ransoms.”

“Qilin has claimed responsibility for 38 confirmed ransomware attacks in 2025 to date, plus 261 unconfirmed claims that haven’t been acknowledged by the targeted organizations.”

“Ransomware attacks on US hospitals, clinics, and other care providers can cripple critical systems and endanger the health, privacy, and security of patients. Hospitals must pay a ransom or face extended downtime, data loss, and putting patients and staff at increased risk of fraud. Hospitals and clinics might have to resort to pen and paper, cancel appointments, and divert patients elsewhere until systems are restored.”

Qilin has been very busy as they’ve claimed responsibility for a number of high profile attacks. This illustrates that you have to have your house in order to stop this gang and others like Qilin from making your life miserable.

Saviynt Appoints Palo Alto Networks, Citrix Exec Steve Blacklock as Channel Chief

Posted in Commentary with tags on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

Saviynt today announced the appointment of Steve Blacklock as its Senior Vice President of Global Partners and Channel Chief. As Saviynt continues to invest as a partner first company, Blacklock will lead all aspects of Saviynt’s global partner organization, deepening strategic alliances, driving GTM through the partner and Saviynt sales teams, and spearheading development of new strategic partnerships that will drive transformational growth. 

Blacklock brings more than 30 years of experience in global alliances and business development across the technology sector, with a proven track record of forging high-impact partnerships that drive transformational outcomes. He joins Saviynt from Palo Alto Networks, where he served as Vice President of North American Partner Sales. During his tenure, he led go-to-market initiatives across GSIs, MSSPs, cloud providers, and value-added resellers, helping expand the company’s footprint through a robust partner ecosystem.

Prior to Palo Alto Networks, Blacklock held several executive leadership roles, including Vice President of Strategic Alliances at Icertis, where he led partnerships with Microsoft and SAP; Vice President of Global Strategic Alliances at Citrix, where he was pivotal in the company’s shift to cloud services and subscription models; and various senior roles at Cisco, including managing the billion-dollar HP partnership and as a part of the executive team that launched the VCE joint venture with EMC and VMware. Blacklock holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and currently resides in Pleasanton, California.

16 billion passwords leaked – how much is recycled data? 

Posted in Commentary with tags on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

After researchers recently uncovered a (seemingly) unprecedented aggregation of roughly 16 billion username–password pairs. However, there’s been some debate around how much of this is recycled data versus new. Similar to the Rockyou2024 password list and ALIENTXTBASE data dump, Specops Software analysts found that this 16 billion passwords leak isn’t as concerning as initial headlines suggested. Having said that, this is still a noteworthy password list and organizations should remain wary of the risk of breached credentials.  

This analysis looks at how this list was discovered, provides an investigation of how many of these credentials are actually new, and offers best practices for how organizations should respond. 

The full report can be found at this link: https://specopssoft.com/blog/16-billion-passwords-leaked/

Abstract Security Launches LakeVilla: Scalable, Searchable, and Cost-Efficient Cold Storage for Security Telemetry

Posted in Commentary with tags on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

Abstract Security, the leader in streaming-first security data operations, today announced the release of LakeVilla, a cloud-native cold storage solution built for long-term security telemetry retention that delivers compliance-ready, highly accessible storage at a fraction of SIEM costs—without compromising on performance or accessibility.

Fully integrated into the Abstract Security Platform, LakeVilla enables organizations to retain and replay years of security data—instantly searchable and seamlessly usable across detection, investigation, and compliance workflows. LakeVilla provides: 

  • Instant Searchability Without Rehydration: Data is always query-ready—no rehydration, no delays, no hidden fees. 
  • Replay on Demand for Deeper Insights: Replay archived data through live workflows to uncover missed threats and refine detection. 
  • Cost Savings at Enterprise Scale: Reduce storage costs by sending only frequently accessed, high-touch data to analytics engines—while routing the rest to LakeVilla for affordable, always-available retention. 
  • Seamless Integration with Abstract Pipelines: Removes redundant ingestion steps and ensures seamless data flow from real-time detection to long-term storage. 
  • Cloud-Native Flexibility and Vendor-Neutral Design: Supports AWS, Azure, and GCP cloud object storage—giving organizations the flexibility to store data where they already operate with built-in flexibility to migrate without hassle and avoid vendor lock-in. 

Why have a Lake House When You Can Have a Lake Villa! 

While data lake architectures are often bloated, costly, and slow to access, Abstract Security’s LakeVilla is different: purpose-built for security, optimized for speed, and seamlessly integrated with the tools teams already use. It’s not just a storage location—it’s an operational asset. 

Availability 

LakeVilla is available now for all Abstract Security customers in both hosted and private cloud deployments. To learn more, check out the LakeVilla blog. 

Galaxy Book4 Edge: The Next Chapter in Galaxy Book Series 

Posted in Commentary with tags on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

The Galaxy Book4 Edge received some great spec updates in the latest version of the Galaxy Book Edge Series, and it sets a new performance benchmark for Windows laptops. Built on the Snapdragon X Elite series platform and optimized for AI workloads, it brings meaningful improvements in speed, battery efficiency, and intelligence over previous models. 

This isn’t just a spec refresh. It’s a major evolution in the Galaxy Book lineup, designed to take advantage of what’s next in mobile computing. 

Here are three key features of the Galaxy Book4 Edge: 

  • Effortless performance, when and where you need it: With up to 4.2GHz boost clock, 12 high-performance cores, and a dedicated NPU delivering 45 trillion operations per second, this platform enables responsive multitasking and fast on-device AI processing. That means faster performance without reliance on cloud computing and better power efficiency under heavy workloads. 
  • All-day battery and next-gen connectivity: Up to 27 hours of video playback, Wi-Fi 7 support, and a fanless thermal design ensure sustained performance in a compact, ultra-slim chassis. The result is silent, mobile productivity with fewer interruptions and greater thermal stability. 
  • High-resolution AMOLED touchscreen displays: The 14-inch and 16-inch models feature 3K Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreens with anti-reflective coating and Vision Booster. This combination delivers vivid visuals, sharp contrast, and adaptive brightness that adjusts to ambient light for improved usability and reduced eye strain. 
  • Designed for Security and Seamless Productivity: Like all Galaxy Book devices, the Book4 Edge is protected by Samsung Knox, a defense-grade security platform built into the hardware and software. Knox helps safeguard sensitive data from the moment the device powers on—giving peace of mind for professionals and everyday users alike. 

The Galaxy Book4 Edge retains the polished design and ecosystem compatibility that defines the Galaxy Book line, while accommodating increased AI integration. Beyond that, we have additional products designed to help maximize workflows and productivity within the Galaxy Book5 series. From the Galaxy Book5 360 for the versatility of a convertible laptop to the Galaxy Book5 Pro for advanced B2B needs, Samsung’s broader computing lineup is built for seamless integration within the Galaxy ecosystem. 

These devices are available now at Samsung.com/ca, with the GB4 Edge starting at 1,349.99 CAD. 

Ericsson named a leader in IDC MarketScape: European Enterprise Private 5G Solutions 2025 Vendor Assessment

Posted in Commentary with tags on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

Ericsson today announced its recognition as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: European Enterprise Private 5G Solutions 2025 Vendor Assessment.

The IDC MarketScape assessment evaluates enterprise private 5G solution providers, focusing on their capabilities and strategic initiatives for delivering robust and scalable connectivity solutions. We believe Ericsson’s recognition reflects its commitment to innovation and excellence in meeting the diverse needs of industries across Europe and globally.

The IDC MarketScape report states: “The creation of a dedicated enterprise unit [in Ericsson] reflects a major strategic shift. This unit focuses specifically on private network solutions, enterprise mobility, and vertical-specific use cases, demonstrating Ericsson’s ambition to compete not only as a network vendor, but as a solution provider for digital enterprise infrastructure.”

Ericsson’s strategic transformation and creation of its enterprise unit is supported and bolstered by its professional services and streamlined partner ecosystem. This approach enables scalable enterprise deployments and seamless integration with broader digital transformation initiatives, making Ericsson a trusted partner for industries such as manufacturing, mining, ports, airports, and energy.

Full sourcing – IDC MarketScape: European Enterprise Private 5G Solutions 2025 Vendor Assessment, #EUR253555324, 20 JUN 2025

For more information on Ericsson’s Enterprise Private 5G solutions, please visit https://www.ericsson.com/en/portfolio/enterprise-wireless-solutions.

CData Expands Partnership With SAP

Posted in Commentary with tags on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

 CData Software today announced an expansion of its partnership with SAP focused on SAP Business Data Cloud–a  fully managed SaaS solution that unifies and governs all SAP data and seamlessly connects with third-party data. The collaboration aims to help customers connect to the data they care about most, by providing seamless, real-time access to the external data sources that modern enterprises depend on–without requiring data replication or custom code. 

Enabling Immediate, Self-Service Data Access

CData’s embeddable connectors provide direct, enterprise-grade integration to critical third-party platforms. Through the partnership, customers can access data, whether stored in cloud services, on-prem databases, or productivity tools, through a consistent, SQL-based interface.

By embedding CData connectors into SAP Business Data Cloud, SAP can provide its customers with access to non-SAP data, and improve their time-to-insight across AI, analytics, and operational workloads.

Driving the Shift Toward Open, AI-Ready Data

CData’s connector infrastructure helps ensure that every integration point meets the speed, security, and scale demands of AI-driven environments.

The expanded partnership comes at a time of significant growth for CData’s Embedded business, which has seen increased demand from software providers looking to offer connectivity to a growing variety of data sources. This momentum is fueled by the rising need for AI-ready data and the pressure on software providers to deliver immediate, self-service access to the data sources their users prioritize.

CData’s market leadership was recently validated by its inclusion in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Integration Tools. This recognition reflects the differentiated business outcomes CData delivers to customers through its comprehensive connectivity solutions and integration capabilities.

This announcement follows CData’s strategic growth funding of approximately $350 million led by Warburg Pincus, with participation from Accel, announced in June 2024. The investment has allowed CData to accelerate its mission of simplifying data connectivity for enterprises, users, and applications through continued investments in operations, product development, and go-to-market strategy.

For more information about CData’s embedded connectivity solutions, visit www.cdata.com/embedded.

a16z-backed Scribenote launches free veterinary AI scribe, as adoption surges across practices

Posted in Commentary with tags on June 24, 2025 by itnerd

Veterinarians typically spend hours after appointments writing medical records, often working late into the evening to complete documentation. It’s a broken system that contributes to widespread burnout across the profession. Today, Scribenote – the company that pioneered the AI-powered scribe built specifically for veterinarians – is flipping the economics of veterinary software by launching a Free Plan, a move that could fundamentally alter how veterinary clinics across North America operate.

The announcement comes as Scribenote experiences significant growth following its $8.2M funding round from Andreessen Horowitz in September 2024. The platform turns veterinarians’ words into structured SOAP notes in seconds, eliminating hours of post-appointment documentation. This free tier launch represents the next phase in the company’s mission to make these benefits accessible to all veterinary practices, building on its strategic price reduction in January. 

The Free Tier includes everything a veterinary practice needs: unlimited AI-generated medical records using Scribenote’s default templates, full team collaboration capabilities through Teams Mode, and access to self-serve help documentation and AI-powered chat support. Premium features like custom Adaptive Templates, Client Summaries, Multilingual Mode, AI Writing Assistant, and human support from Scribenote’s Customer Delight team remain part of Scribenote Pro. New signups automatically receive a 2-week free trial of the Pro plan.

The timing is strategic. The veterinary industry faces a well-documented staffing crisis, with burnout and work-life balance cited as primary concerns. Traditional practice management systems, built decades ago and barely updated since, compound the problem by requiring extensive manual data entry. Meanwhile, a wave of AI solutions has emerged, but few offer the veterinary-specific features and accuracy that define purpose-built platforms.

By removing price as a barrier, Scribenote accelerates its path to becoming the standard for veterinary documentation. The move reflects broader changes in AI economics – as models become more efficient and affordable, companies can offer powerful capabilities that were previously cost-prohibitive.

Since its founding in 2019, Scribenote has grown from a solution built for Gallagher’s veterinarian sister to a platform that has tripled its user base in the past year alone – even as 44 competing AI scribes flooded the market. The company’s AI technology records conversations between veterinarians and clients, automatically generating accurate medical records in minutes – replacing hours of manual documentation. This proven scale has enabled Scribenote to recently complete the largest enterprise rollout of AI scribing software in veterinary medicine.

Looking ahead, Scribenote is slated to release a second product this fall to create even more value for veterinary clinics, the details of which are currently under wraps. In the meantime, the company sees the launch of its free tier today as a catalyst for industry-wide adoption of AI-assisted documentation – helping veterinarians spend less time typing and more time with their patients.

Veterinary professionals can sign up for free access immediately at scribenote.com.