Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Washington has approved a potential sale of Patriot interceptor missiles and associated equipment to Saudi Arabia with an estimated value of about $9 billion, marking one of the largest US arms packages proposed for the kingdom in several years and underscoring a renewed focus on air and missile defence cooperation in the Gulf. The clearance, granted by the US State Department and […]
Nvidia has issued urgent security updates for its GPU display drivers after identifying multiple high-severity flaws that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code and gain elevated privileges across a wide range of systems. The vulnerabilities, disclosed in a security bulletin dated January 27, affect drivers used on Windows, Linux and virtualised environments, underscoring the broad exposure created by modern GPU deployments in consumer, enterprise and cloud […]
A warning from a long-standing crypto fund manager has reignited debate over Bitcoin’s long-term viability, with claims that the world’s largest cryptocurrency could face a structural security breakdown within the next seven to eleven years unless its economic model changes. Justin Bons, founder and chief investment officer of Cyber Capital, has argued that Bitcoin’s reliance on declining block subsidies will eventually undermine the incentives that secure its […]
Kaspersky has introduced a new online tool aimed at helping industrial companies in the Middle East quantify cyber risk in operational technology environments, as manufacturers, energy firms and utilities face mounting pressure to justify cybersecurity spending with clearer financial metrics. The cybersecurity company said the OT Cybersecurity Savings Calculator is designed to translate technical exposure in industrial control systems into potential monetary losses, allowing executives to […]
A major cybersecurity incident affecting Panera Bread has put millions of customer and employee records at risk, as disclosed through multiple industry reports and hacker claims. The breach, attributed to the cybercrime group ShinyHunters, involves the theft of an extensive dataset including names, email addresses, phone numbers and home addresses, with the potential total of affected records estimated at around 14 million. This disclosure underscores widening digital […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 January 2026 – The Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), under the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), today hosted a media briefing to officially release the annual “Hong Kong Cybersecurity Outlook 2026”. The report reveals that cyberattacks have become more automated, targeted, and destructive with the rapid proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, posing significant threats to business operations and information security. A record high 15,877 cybersecurity incidents were recorded in Hong Kong in 2025, marking a 27% year-on-year increase. The report also highlights five key cybersecurity risks expected to emerge in 2026, mainly under AI-related threats and supply chain vulnerabilities.
HKCERT also released the findings of the “Hong Kong Enterprise Cybersecurity Landscape”, which analyses the current state of local enterprises’ cybersecurity defences and resource allocation in the face of cyber risks. The study covered 622 enterprises (including 544 SMEs and 78 large enterprises) and interviewed 50 cybersecurity service providers to assess the key factors businesses consider when selecting cybersecurity services. The findings reveal that nearly 70% of enterprises have dedicated cybersecurity personnel, showing the increasing importance local businesses place on cybersecurity. Many SMEs have also begun strengthening their security measures, demonstrating a proactive awareness of cyber threats. However, they were behind large enterprises in terms of technology deployment and resource allocation. Moreover, around 35% of businesses using AI would enter corporate data into AI tools, suggesting that there is still room for improvement in local overall defence capabilities and AI governance awareness.
Mr Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC, stated, “The proliferation of AI can drive innovation, but it can also become a powerful tool for hackers, making cyber threats stealthier and more scalable. Our report indicates a lack of governance in corporate use of AI tools. In particular, the limited resources and knowledge of SMEs may limit their full understanding of the potential risks involved. Moreover, supply chain attacks have become the weakest link in enterprise security, where a single vendor’s vulnerability can trigger a chain reaction of crises, even if the enterprises have robust protective measures. To address these challenges, enterprises must shift from passive response to proactive deployment, starting with establishing clear AI usage guidelines and audit mechanisms, and deeply integrating them into the overall cybersecurity strategy”.
Overview of Cybersecurity Incidents in 2025:
Phishing Accounts for Nearly 60% – Record-High Number of Cases
According to the latest statistics from HKCERT, a total of 15,877 cybersecurity incidents were reported in 2025, marking a new record high. Among them, phishing attacks remained the most prominent threat, accounting for nearly 60% (57%) of total cases. The rise of generative AI has made phishing messages increasingly realistic and harder to detect, further amplifying the associated risks. Attack delivery methods have expanded beyond traditional email to social media or instant messaging platforms (such as WhatsApp) (34%) and cryptocurrency platforms (18%).
In parallel, cases involving vulnerable systems also saw a sharp increase, with 2,328 incidents (15%), representing a more than 3.5-fold rise compared to the previous year. This suggests that attackers are actively exploiting misconfigurations and unpatched system vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, botnet-related incidents remained steady at 18%. While stable in number, botnets are notoriously difficult to eradicate completely, representing a long-term latent threat.
Top 5 Cybersecurity Risks in 2026
Based on industry expert analysis and HKPC’s ongoing research into the local business environment, and considering industry trends and technological developments, HKCERT predicts that the following five cybersecurity risks will pose significant challenges to businesses in 2026:
30% of Enterprises Lack Dedicated Cybersecurity Staff, SMEs Lag in Defense and Investment
“The Hong Kong Enterprise Cybersecurity Landscape” reveals nearly 70% of enterprises have dedicated cybersecurity personnel, showing the increasing importance place on cybersecurity. By company size, 67% of SMEs have personnel responsible for cybersecurity, and 95% of large enterprises do. Among them, 26% of SMEs have dedicated cybersecurity personnel, which is lower than the 59% of large enterprises, reflecting different challenges in resource allocation and professional support for companies of different sizes.
Many SMEs have already implemented basic protective measures, such as 48% of SMEs have adopted email security, but there is still room for improvement when compared to the 79% of large enterprises. For Privileged Access Management (PAM), 29% of SMEs are employed, which is still lower than 60% of large enterprises. The figure on using Advanced cybersecurity practices, such as Remote Access Security Measures (SMEs 31% vs 67%), also reflects that SMEs still need support in promoting technological upgrades, especially when data security is increasingly important today, the protection of SMEs of all sizes cannot be ignored.
Regarding investment and resource allocation, SMEs are generally cautious in their investment, but some companies have gradually increased their investment in cybersecurity and training. In the past year 13% of SMEs increased cybersecurity-related resources (including staff and tools), and 12% invested more resources in cybersecurity training. In comparison, the proportions for large enterprises were 41% and 50%, respectively. Looking ahead to the next 12 months, SMEs are relatively conservative in their plans for increasing resources — no matter in recruitment of cybersecurity personnel (SMEs 5% vs 15%), training (SMEs 13% vs 38%) and budget (SMEs 13% vs 36%). However, as cyber threats evolve, it is believed that enterprises will gradually increase their related investments to strengthen their overall defense capabilities.
HKCERT’s Five Key Recommendations: Helping Enterprises Build Effective Cyber Defenses
HKCERT has outlined five key recommendations to help enterprises strengthen their cybersecurity posture:
As cyber threats grow increasingly complex and attack techniques become more advanced, enabling SMEs to effectively deploy cybersecurity defences has become a shared responsibility across society. In addition to operating a 24-hour incident reporting and supporting hotline, HKCERT continuously monitors local online activities. When cyberattacks targeting Hong Kong are detected, it proactively traces and disrupts the source and issues timely public alerts. In recent years, HKCERT has also leveraged self‑developed AI systems to take down phishing websites in advance, preventing incidents before they occur. To strengthen preventive measures and promote education among SMEs, HKCERT has published multiple security guidelines addressing emerging technology risks, helping technical personnel understand and adopt appropriate protection strategies. At the same time, HKCERT actively promotes cybersecurity awareness through a dedicated webpage on in‑depth analysis of major phishing and ransomware attacks, as well as by organising large‑scale public events and participating in over 30 seminars annually.
Since last year, HKCERT further acted as a bridge between SMEs and cybersecurity service providers to launch the Cybersecurity Service Providers Connect Programme with Digital Policy Office. The Programme offers a one-stop platform that brings together 21 vetted cybersecurity service providers, covering four key areas, including Internet Security Solutions, Cybersecurity Assessment Services, Managed Security and Incident Response Services, and Cybersecurity Training Services. It helps SMEs quickly identify suitable solutions and strengthen their cyber defence capabilities. The Programme will continue to enhance its services, promote resource sharing, and collaborate with the industry to build a safer digital business environment.
Hashtag: #HKCERT
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Managed by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) is the centre for coordination of computer security incident response for local enterprises and Internet Users. Its missions are to facilitate information disseminating, provide advices on preventive measures against security threats and to promote information security awareness.
HKCERT collaborates with local bodies to collect and disseminate information, and coordinate response actions. HKCERT is also a member of the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT). We exchange information with other CERTs and act as a point of contact on cross-border security incidents.
About the Hong Kong Productivity Council
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.
HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.
To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.
HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical , assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.
For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: 
www.hkpc.org/en.
A quiet but unsettling episode in the artificial intelligence ecosystem has sharpened concerns about how quickly powerful autonomous tools are being deployed without robust safeguards. A single message, sent politely and without any technical wizardry, was enough for an attacker to extract a private cryptographic key from a user within minutes. The breach did not rely on malware, brute force or advanced exploits. It relied on trust, […]
Digital Twin Consortium has published a set of interoperable digital twin frameworks aimed at reshaping how multimodal transport networks are planned, operated and scaled, marking a shift away from fragmented pilots toward coordinated system-wide deployment. The guidance, released as part of the consortium’s evolving technical reference architecture, sets out common models, interfaces and data-sharing principles designed to allow digital twins across roads, rail, ports and aviation to […]
Gmail is undergoing a set of structural changes that extend beyond visible interface tweaks, and security specialists warn the quieter updates could leave millions of accounts exposed if users fail to adjust their settings. The most immediate concern centres on how Google is reworking legacy email access and tightening the way third-party messages are handled inside Gmail, at a time when artificial intelligence tools are becoming more […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Russian President Vladimir Putin and envoys of the United States wrapped up around four hours of negotiations in the Kremlin on Thursday night, with Moscow underscoring that any peace settlement to end the war in Ukraine hinges on agreement over territorial control. The talks, which included Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and White House adviser Josh Gruenbaum, were described by the Kremlin as […]
Cybersecurity firm Rubrik has rolled out a sovereign version of its Rubrik Security Cloud, positioning the offering as a response to mounting pressure from governments and regulated industries to keep sensitive data under national control and outside the reach of foreign jurisdictions. Rubrik said the sovereign capability is designed to ensure that customer data, encryption keys, operations and support remain confined within specific countries or regions, aligning […]
A major ransomware intrusion at a key manufacturing partner of Apple has intensified concerns over cyber resilience across global electronics supply chains, after attackers claimed to have stolen more than one terabyte of confidential data linked to unreleased products and internal operations. The attack, attributed to the criminal group RansomHub, targeted Luxshare, a long-standing supplier involved in assembling and producing components for flagship consumer devices. Information circulating […]
WebAssembly, commonly shortened to Wasm, has moved from a niche browser technology to a central pillar in discussions about cloud computing, security and cross-platform software development. Once seen mainly as a way to speed up web applications, it is now being positioned by major technology firms, developers and standards bodies as a foundation for a new generation of portable, high-performance applications that run consistently across environments. At […]
GitLab has issued urgent security updates to address multiple high-severity vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to bypass two-factor authentication and disrupt service availability, prompting strong advisories for organisations running self-managed instances to upgrade without delay. The company confirmed that patched versions 18.8.2, 18.7.2 and 18.6.4 for both Community Edition and Enterprise Edition close a set of flaws affecting authentication controls and system resilience. GitLab. com, the hosted […]
A research team from the University of Tokyo has outlined a new approach to training large language models that aims to curb sensitive data leakage while preserving performance, addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing artificial intelligence developers as regulation tightens worldwide. The study, titled Crypto-LLM, proposes encrypting large volumes of training text before it is fed into a model, preventing the system from memorising personal […]
Raaga, a Chennai-based music streaming platform with a large global audience, has confirmed a significant data breach that led to the exposure of personal information linked to more than 10.2 million user accounts, triggering renewed scrutiny of data protection practices across consumer digital platforms. The company acknowledged that a database containing user details was unlawfully accessed and later advertised for sale on an underground hacking forum during […]
Vercel has unveiled a new product called Skills, positioning it as a shared marketplace of reusable capabilities for AI coding assistants and framing it internally as an “npm for AI agents”. The launch reflects growing pressure on developers and platform companies to bring consistency, security and best practices to the rapidly expanding use of autonomous and semi-autonomous coding tools across production environments. According to the company, Skills […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 January 2026 – ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today announced the launch of two Managed Detection and Response (MDR) subscription tiers: ESET PROTECT MDR for small and medium businesses (SMBs) and ESET PROTECT MDR Ultimate for enterprises in Singapore.
Bridging the gap with MDR
ESET PROTECT MDR delivers a comprehensive cybersecurity package, offering 24/7/365 superior protection. This includes modern protection for endpoints, email, and cloud applications, vulnerability detection and patching, and managed threat monitoring, hunting, and response. For enterprises, ESET PROTECT MDR Ultimate offers continuous proactive protection and enhanced visibility, coupled with customised threat hunting and remote digital forensic incident response assistance.
ESET’s APAC SMB Cybersecurity Report 2024 revealed that 49% rate lacking a dedicated cybersecurity team and 52% rated keeping up with the latest threats as one of the top three cybersecurity challenges in Singapore. 31% also cited alert fatigue as the biggest challenge. Incidentally, APAC also faces the largest shortage of cybersecurity experts in the world. These highlight the urgent need for skilled cybersecurity professionals and managed services that can help bridge the country’s growing talent gap. ESET’s MDR services ensure organisations of all sizes and cybersecurity maturity to stay one step ahead of all known and emerging threats, effectively closing the cybersecurity talent gap, and facilitating expert consultations for incident management and containment in a fully managed experience.
ESET MDR delivers a remarkable 6-minute Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) — the fastest in the industry*. In comparison, the median time for organizations to detect a breach is 24 days**, leaving critical systems and data exposed for weeks. Every hour that a breach goes undetected dramatically increases the risk of data loss, operational disruption, and financial damage.
“Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and more time-critical, especially in highly connected digital economies like Singapore,” said Pamela Ong, Country Manager of Asia and Singapore at ESET. “Our AI-powered MDR services combine automation, human expertise, and global threat intelligence to help organisations move beyond reactive security. The ability to detect and respond within minutes can make the difference between a contained incident and a major breach.”
ESET’s MDR services Meet the Unique Challenges of MSPs
ESET recognises the growing pressures facing MSPs who must balance the critical task of securing clients’ complex IT environments with their own business growth and operations. With threat actors going heavy on supply-chain attacks and abusing MSP tooling, MSPs too find themselves fixed in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. Simply put, MSPs are not only potential victims, but also potential accessories to a crime. To help MSPs fulfill their security potential, ESET’s MDR is also designed to be deployed in an MSP environment with a single solitary security service, available 24/7 that help MSPs to secure themselves as well as their clients.
For more information, please visit www.eset.com/sg
*Based on publicly available information as of 1 October 2025.
**Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report
Hashtag: #ESET
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of known and emerging cyberthreats — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. An ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on 
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Malaysia’s United Malays National Organization, long the central pillar of the country’s political establishment, has begun working with erstwhile rivals from the Malay-Muslim opposition, signalling a recalibration that underscores how far the nation’s politics has shifted since the party’s electoral dominance fractured.
The cooperation, confirmed through parallel statements and joint appearances by party leaders, reflects UMNO’s attempt to consolidate Malay political influence at a time when its authority has been diluted by years of electoral setbacks, internal splits and the rise of competing blocs. While the party remains a key component of the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, its outreach to former adversaries has fuelled debate about whether Malaysia is entering a new phase of pragmatic alliances driven less by ideology and more by survival.
UMNO governed Malaysia almost uninterrupted for more than six decades after independence in 1957, anchoring the Barisan Nasional coalition and shaping state institutions. That grip was broken in 2018 when voters punished the party over corruption scandals and governance concerns, leading to a series of unstable administrations. Since then, UMNO has struggled to define its role in a crowded political field that includes Anwar’s reformist bloc and the Malay-Muslim opposition alliance led by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
The current cooperation has emerged against that backdrop. Senior figures from UMNO have acknowledged coordination with opposition leaders on issues framed as safeguarding Malay-Muslim interests, including economic equity policies and the position of Islam in public life. Though party officials have stopped short of describing the engagement as a formal pact, they have not ruled out deeper collaboration if it serves what they describe as national stability and communal interests.
This posture has drawn mixed reactions within UMNO itself. Reform-minded members argue that aligning, even tactically, with parties that have attacked UMNO in past campaigns risks alienating centrist voters and undermining the party’s commitment to multiracial governance within the current administration. Others counter that the political landscape no longer allows rigid red lines, pointing to successive elections that showed Malay votes splintering among multiple parties.
Political analysts say the outreach reflects both opportunity and vulnerability. UMNO’s share of parliamentary seats has shrunk sharply compared with its peak years, reducing its leverage inside the ruling coalition. By engaging with rivals who command strong grassroots support in rural and conservative constituencies, the party may be seeking to reassert relevance and prevent further erosion of its base.
At the same time, the move complicates Prime Minister Anwar’s delicate balancing act. His coalition spans ideologically diverse partners, from UMNO’s traditionalists to reform-oriented parties and regional allies from East Malaysia. Any perception that UMNO is hedging its bets with the opposition could strain internal trust, even as Anwar has publicly emphasised unity and policy-driven governance.
The opposition, for its part, has responded cautiously. Leaders have framed the cooperation as issue-based rather than strategic, mindful that their core supporters view UMNO as emblematic of past excesses. Yet the willingness to engage suggests an acknowledgment that Malaysia’s fragmented politics makes absolute isolation costly.
Electoral arithmetic also looms large. Several state and parliamentary contests are approaching, and past results have shown that three-cornered fights often benefit Anwar’s coalition or regional parties, leaving Malay-based rivals divided. Limited coordination could alter outcomes in closely contested seats, though it also risks backlash from voters wary of perceived opportunism.
Beyond elections, the discussions point to broader questions about Malaysia’s political trajectory. The country’s multiracial framework has historically rested on bargaining among communal parties, with UMNO as the dominant broker. Its weakened position has opened space for ideological competition and policy debate, but also for sharper identity politics. Whether UMNO’s outreach tempers or intensifies those dynamics remains uncertain.
Business groups and civil society organisations have reacted with caution, urging political leaders to prioritise economic reform and institutional stability over tactical manoeuvring. Malaysia’s economy faces pressures from global volatility, fiscal constraints and the need to attract investment, issues that many argue require coherent policymaking rather than shifting alliances.
A critical security weakness in Amazon Web Services’ CodeBuild service left GitHub repositories vulnerable to hijacking, raising fresh concerns about the resilience of cloud-based development pipelines used by some of the world’s largest technology teams. The flaw, dubbed CodeBreach by security researchers, stemmed from a misconfigured webhook validation process that could be exploited to inject malicious code into trusted repositories. The issue centred on Amazon Web Services […]
A security weakness in Google’s Fast Pair protocol has exposed a broad range of Bluetooth earbuds and headphones to silent hijacking, allowing attackers within wireless range to connect to devices without the owner’s knowledge and potentially listen in, track movements or activate microphones. The issue, widely referred to by researchers as WhisperPair, affects millions of products that rely on Fast Pair to simplify setup on Android phones. […]
UAE authorities and major lenders have warned customers to stay on high alert after disclosures of a dangerous WhatsApp security flaw that can allow attackers to compromise smartphones through a single call, exposing banking credentials, personal data and private communications. Advisories circulated by banks and cyber security teams say the vulnerability exploits the way WhatsApp handles voice calls, enabling so-called zero-day or zero-click attacks that do […]
Towering crocodilians that could rival buses in length once patrolled vast river systems cutting through what is now the Sahara, reshaping scientific understanding of prehistoric ecosystems and predator–prey dynamics during the early Cretaceous Period. Fossil evidence shows these reptiles were not merely oversized versions of today’s crocodiles but apex predators capable of taking on large dinosaurs in a landscape unrecognisable from the modern desert. The most striking […]
By Nantoo Banerjee The theatres of state-sponsored piracy are expanding, from the traditional Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Somali Basin to the Black Sea and now the Atlantic. The recent US seizure of Russian-flagged oil tanker, Marinera, originally known as the Bella-1, after pursuing the vessel for weeks across the Atlantic, may be considered as […]
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