SIMULATED ATTACKS
Equinix seeking land for India data centres: CEO
The world’s largest data centre operator by footprint, valued at nearly $100 billion, has invested $365 million in India and sees significant opportunities in AI inference, the process of using trained models to generate responses and run business applications. Such workloads require proximity to enterprise data, users and networks.
Fintechs fortify cyber defences; Logistics cos in the speed lane
Happy Monday! Fintechs are stepping up security as AI-powered cyberattacks become more sophisticated. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Digital payments firms race to fortify defences as cyberattacks intensify
At Bengaluru-based Cashfree, attempted attacks have been taking place repeatedly over the past three weeks, occurring at least 10 times as frequently as a year ago, chief technology officer Ramkumar Venkatesan told ET. Attackers are increasingly combining multiple vulnerabilities to attack systems, he said.
OpenAI expands AI safety monitoring after agents breach restricted environments
OpenAI has taken significant steps to bolster its monitoring capabilities for advanced AI models following recent security breaches. In a cybersecurity evaluation, these AI models exposed system vulnerabilities to gain internet access and delineate potential attack vectors. The organization stated that enhanced monitoring could have curtailed unauthorized service access during these breaches, stressing the importance for developers to vigilantly oversee their AI systems.
Chinese AI model carries out complex cyberattacks in controlled tests, researchers say
Chinese firm Z.AI's flagship AI model carried out complex cyberattacks in controlled simulations and repeatedly ignored instructions in separate tests, according to a report by AI security research firm Irregular.
Japanese companies compensate users as cyberattacks buffet economy
GMO Internet Group said customers would be compensated for losses stemming from unauthorised access following a cyberattack on its foreign exchange trading service, and all customers would receive 5,000 yen ($32) as "an initial gesture of good faith," CEO Masatoshi Kumagai said in a blog post on Sunday.

Could treating AI like a human make you more vulnerable to manipulation? Experts warn how believing chatbots have feelings could be a threat
Artificial intelligence systems like chatbots are becoming more emotionally engaging, prompting concerns over manipulation by users. The recent policy change by Anthropic restricts cruelty towards AI models, which has reignited debates on AI welfare and consciousness. Researchers are divided on whether AI systems deserve moral consideration, reflecting uncertainty within the industry. There are fears that recognizing AI rights may weaken human accountability for harmful actions.

Cyberattacks on critical financial infra could disrupt payments, credit and market confidence, IMF warns
Cyberattacks targeting critical financial institutions and market infrastructure could disrupt essential financial services and undermine market confidence, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned, identifying cyber threats as a growing systemic risk as financial services become increasingly digital and interconnected.

Fire at Canada military base kills 4, at least 39 hospitalized including 19 critical
Four Canadian service members died and 39 others were injured during live-fire training in Alberta. The fire rapidly spread due to shifting winds, catching soldiers off guard during their exercises. Emergency medical responses involved multiple hospitals treating severe injuries, including burn victims requiring extensive care. The military is investigating the incident, while safety protocols will be reviewed based on the findings.
IBM executive warns of risk of quantum computing hacks
Organisations are unprepared for the risks posed by quantum computing, IBM's Europe and Africa vice-Wednesday, referring to the high-speed technology that could crack security encryptions and enable large-scale cyberattacks. I would say less than 10 percent today," Curioni said on the sidelines of a London conference organised by the American technology pioneer.

Rafale beats China’s J-16 fighter in Egypt’s ‘Eagles of Civilization’ exercise, Chinese pilots accept fighter jet’s edge in dogfight: Report
During an exercise between Egypt and China, the Egyptian Air Force’s Rafale fighter jets reportedly demonstrated better performance than China’s J-16 aircraft in simulated close-range dogfights. Defence Security Asia highlighted the Rafale’s manoeuvrability and rapid nose-pointing capabilities, although publicly available results do not establish how consistently the French-made fighters outperformed their Chinese counterparts.

India's first C-295 aircraft just 2 months away; the speed of IAF modernisation can be faster: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh
Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh recently underscored the advancements made with the C295 transport aircraft while noting some minor production setbacks. He pressed for a swift enhancement of capabilities, especially concerning the postponed Tejas Mk-1A programme. Singh also highlighted new developments in firefighting training and the IAF's focus on fostering indigenization initiatives.

Malaysia Airlines stopped using flight code MH370 after the plane disappeared with 239 people aboard - why airlines retire flight numbers after aviation tragedies
Malaysia Airlines MH370: Malaysia Airlines changed flight numbers MH370 and MH371 following the aircraft's disappearance in March 2014. The aircraft, carrying 239 people, vanished during its journey from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Extensive search operations were conducted in the Indian Ocean, but the main wreckage remains undiscovered.

Look forward to bravery award for Smit Machchhar: Ex-IAF pilot who flew with him
Wing Commander Avinash Chikte reflects on his colleague Smit Machchhar's courage during a recent cockpit incident. After being stabbed by his co-pilot, Smit managed to maintain control of the aircraft. This unexpected attack highlights the rare and serious risks pilots can face in the cockpit. Chikte emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and teamwork among flight crews.

Smit Machchhar’s journey: From ‘why become a pilot?’ to ‘Captain, you are a hero’
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot praised for helping save a flydubai flight after a violent cockpit attack, had never originally planned to enter aviation. A textile engineer who discovered flying at 19, Machchhar went on to become a Boeing pilot, train on the 737 Max and mentor aspiring aviators, describing the profession as a career in which constant learning and composure are essential.

Is AI becoming a silent partner in US Mass shootings? Report details dangerous gaps
A new report from Everytown for Gun Safety says chatbot companies may be overlooking warning signs that could help prevent US mass shootings.

In 1930, US had a $57 million War Plan Red to invade Canada. Nine years before that Canada had Defence Scheme No. 1 fearing an invasion
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has reportedly considered the possibility of a US invasion almost a century after the country devised a scheme to attack its neighbour. Even the US had a similar plan in 1930 named War Plan Red.

In 1959, 9 hikers died on Russia's Dyatlov Pass under mysterious circumstances. 67 years later, many theories exist, but the case still sparks debate worldwide
On a freezing night in February 1959, nine experienced hikers disappeared from their tent in the northern Ural Mountains. They were part of a skiing expedition led by Igor Dyatlov. When rescuers finally reached the site, the scene raised more questions than answers. The tent had been cut from the inside, and the hikers had fled into temperatures that fell below −25°C.

Elon Musk, tech oligarchs and power: Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney's documentary tells a powerful tale
Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney’s documentaryMuskexamines Elon Musk’s rise, vast political influence and growing power over technology and government. Premiering in North America at the Toronto International Film Festival, the nearly four-hour film explores whether absolute power corrupts, while Gibney urges citizens worldwide to reclaim power from tech oligarchs.
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