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CyberWire Daily

Brute force and broken trust.

Mar 21, 2025
Brandon Karpf, a cybersecurity expert and friend of N2K CyberWire, shares his insights on the growing threats in cyberspace, particularly in the realm of space technology. The discussion uncovers alarming vulnerabilities with over 150 U.S. government database servers exposed online. Karpf delves into the rise of various ransomware attacks, including the cross-platform Albabat strain. The conversation also addresses the impact of new cyber policies and the urgent need for better oversight and defense in our increasingly digital world.
31:23

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Over 150 U.S. government database servers face serious security risks due to unauthorized exposure and flawed security protocols, requiring immediate action.
  • The recent shift in U.S. cybersecurity policy decentralizes responsibilities to states, raising concerns about their ability to manage escalating cyber threats effectively.

Deep dives

Exposed Government Data Servers

Over 150 U.S. government database servers are at risk due to unsafe exposure on the Internet, mainly affecting agencies like the Departments of Agriculture, Education, and Energy. These vulnerabilities, caused by a push for federal data centralization, reveal serious flaws in authentication and data protection protocols. Security analysts report numerous unauthorized access attempts, underscoring the urgency for intervention, including congressional hearings and audits to prevent potential catastrophic breaches. Experts stress the need for swift action to secure these databases, which have been compromised by basic security protocol violations.

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