Major Cybersecurity Incidents

 🛡️ Major Cybersecurity Incidents

1. Marks & Spencer Hit by Sophisticated Ransomware Attack

UK retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) is grappling with a cyberattack attributed to the group Scattered Spider.  The breach has disrupted online services, including fashion, home, and beauty sales, and is projected to cost £300 million ($403 million) in lost operating profit.  The attack also led to the theft of some customer data, though no payment information was compromised.  Full operational restoration is expected by July  .

2. Coinbase Faces Potential $400 Million Loss from Data Breach

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase disclosed that a cyberattack breached account data of a "small subset" of its customers.  The company forecasts a financial impact ranging from $180 million to $400 million due to the breach  .

3. Honeywell Reports Surge in Ransomware Attacks

Honeywell's 2025 Cyber Threat Report indicates a 46% increase in ransomware attacks during Q1 2025, with the Cl0p group being the most active threat actor.  Operational Technology (OT) systems remain a primary target  .

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🌐 Nation-State and AI-Driven Threats

4. China-Linked Hackers Exploit Google Calendar

A China-based hacking group has exploited Google Calendar in a cyber-espionage campaign targeting government entities, researchers have found  .

5. Microsoft Offers Free Cybersecurity Support to European Governments

Microsoft announced a new initiative to provide European governments with free cybersecurity support aimed at enhancing defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, including those powered by artificial intelligence (AI)  .

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🏛️ Government and Institutional Responses

6. Texas Establishes Cyber Command

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill to establish the Texas Cyber Command at the University of Texas at San Antonio.  The command will feature a Cyber Threat Intelligence Center, a digital forensics lab, and an incident response unit, focusing on securing state and local government systems  .

7. Bengal CID Enhances Cybercrime Unit

In response to the increasing spread of fake news and hate speech on social media, the Bengal CID has announced the hiring of 32 computer science professionals.  The new recruits will collect electronic evidence, monitor digital platforms, and liaise with social media companies to ensure prompt removal of harmful content  .

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🧠 Emerging Trends and Technologies

8. AI and Quantum Computing Pose New Cybersecurity Challenges

The financial sector faces escalating cyber threats amplified by artificial intelligence (AI) and the advent of quantum computing.  AI is being weaponized for sophisticated attacks like deepfakes and AI-driven malware, while quantum computing threatens to render current encryption methods obsolete  .