At a Crossroads: Cybersecurity Risks and the Climate Cost of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic vision—it has become an integral part of our digital and economic landscape. From powering autonomous systems to enhancing predictive analytics, AI is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. Yet, as we stand at this technological crossroads, it is crucial to confront the dual challenges AI brings: cybersecurity vulnerabilities and its environmental footprint. 1. Cybersecurity Risks of AI While AI strengthens security through advanced threat detection and automated defences, it also opens new avenues for malicious exploitation. At Wiseman CyberSec, we believe that AI security must evolve in parallel with AI innovation. The same intelligence that empowers organisations can empower attackers—and the only safeguard is proactive defence. This means embedding AI-specific cybersecurity testing, continuous threat modelling, and adversarial resilience strategies into every deployment. 2. The Climate Cost of AI Beyond cybersecurity, AI comes with a hidden environmental toll. Training and running large-scale AI models require immense computational power, leading to skyrocketing energy consumption. From Wiseman’s perspective, cybersecurity and sustainability must go hand in hand. Building AI responsibly means considering not only how secure a system is, but also how sustainable it is. We encourage organisations to invest in Green AI practices—from optimising model efficiency to deploying solutions on renewable-powered infrastructures. 3. Balancing Innovation with Responsibility The future of AI hinges on finding an equilibrium between innovation, security, and sustainability. To achieve this: Wiseman’s Point of View At Wiseman CyberSec, we see AI as both a challenge and an opportunity. Our mission is to help organisations navigate this complex landscape by: Conclusion Artificial Intelligence is at a crossroads. Its power to transform industries and improve human lives is immense, but so are the risks it carries. By addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities and reducing its environmental footprint, we can ensure that AI becomes not just a driver of innovation but also a force for sustainable and secure global progress. At Wiseman CyberSec, we remain committed to guiding enterprises, governments, and individuals in building an AI-powered future that is secure, ethical, and sustainable.
Chinese Hacker’ Targeting US Software and Law Firms: A Wiseman Cybersec Analysis
Introduction The cybersecurity landscape in 2025 has reached a new flashpoint as suspected Chinese threat actors have managed to infiltrate US software providers and law firms in an intelligence-gathering operation that, according to leading industry experts, is one of the most sophisticated campaigns seen in years. For organisations on the front lines—especially legal entities and technology firms—this incident is a demonstration of how state-aligned intrusions now pose existential risks for trade, trust, and compliance. What Happened? Recent weeks have seen a surge in attacks attributed to a group tracked by Google Mandiant as “UNC5221”—widely considered the most active and persistent cyber adversary targeting the US. Leveraging stolen proprietary software from American tech companies, these attackers exploited new vulnerabilities, achieving deep and prolonged access to target networks. Many breached organisations, including prominent law firms, remained unaware of the compromise for months to over a year, during which attackers quietly exfiltrated confidential data and trade secrets. Why Law Firms and Tech Firms? Law firms are attractive targets because they act as strategic advisors to government and enterprise clients, particularly on issues of trade and national security. Legal email accounts and confidential case files offer a treasure trove of information for threat actors seeking to understand US regulatory posture, negotiation strategies, and sensitive client communications. Likewise, technology providers—especially those in cloud services—are the backbone of digital transformation. By infiltrating these environments, attackers can quietly identify and exploit downstream targets. The Geopolitical Context This wave of cyber-espionage coincides with escalating US-China trade tensions—punctuated by new tariffs and reciprocal measures between the world’s two largest economies. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) attributed to China have a long track record of leveraging cyber operations for commercial and diplomatic advantage. As trade negotiations grow sharper, cyber-espionage is increasingly being weaponised as a tool of statecraft and leverage. Wiseman Cybersec’s Assessment At Wiseman Cybersec, the principal lesson is clear: The threat landscape is now shaped as much by international power struggles as by traditional cybercrime. For law firms and technology vendors, the ability to defend client confidentiality and proprietary information is no longer just a compliance requirement, but a core business risk. Solutions and Recommendations Wiseman Cybersec recommends a rigorous approach: Conclusion The ongoing Chinese cyber-espionage campaign is a wake-up call for every business holding valuable information—from proprietary code to confidential legal briefs. Ultimately, this episode shows that in 2025, protecting data is not just about technology, but about preparing for the intersection of global politics and cyberwarfare—where every law firm, developer, and executive must treat cybersecurity as an existential priority.
The Collins Aerospace cyberattack has disrupted major European airports
The cyberattack targeting Collins Aerospace has triggered significant disruptions across major European airports, revealing critical lessons for the aviation sector and cybersecurity professionals alike. Below is an in-depth analysis from Wiseman Cybersec’s perspective, examining the incident, its operational fallout, and what it means for enterprise resilience in transport infrastructure. Incident Overview On September 19, 2025, Collins Aerospace, a crucial provider of check-in and boarding system software known as MUSE, was struck by a sophisticated ransomware attack. The incident swiftly took digital check-in and baggage drop-off systems offline at flagship locations such as London Heathrow, Brussels, Berlin, Dublin, and Cork airports. The attack was confirmed by ENISA, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, as ransomware-driven via Collins Aerospace’s third-party network, affecting hundreds of flights and leaving airlines reliant on manual procedures. Operational Disruption and Response Investigation and Attribution The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), partnering with other European agencies, arrested a suspect in West Sussex shortly after the attack, citing Computer Misuse Act offences. As of press time, the group responsible remains publicly unidentified, with authorities not confirming any ransom payment or data breach affecting passenger personal information. Notably, this attack followed prior ransomware incidents at Collins Aerospace, reflecting persistent threats to aviation supply chains. Sector Vulnerabilities and Escalation Wiseman Cybersec highlights several key concerns: Industry data supports the escalation: Aviation sector cyber-attacks spiked by 600% year-on-year in June 2025, underscoring a growing threat landscape driven by ransomware, evolving attack tools, and sophisticated threat actor tradecraft. Lessons and Recommendations For Airport Operators For Technology Providers For CISOs and IT Administrators Conclusion The Collins Aerospace cyberattack demonstrates the profound vulnerability of modern transport infrastructure to targeted, ransomware-driven threat campaigns. For aviation and cybersecurity leaders, the incident is a wake-up call: resilience must balance technological sophistication with operational simplicity, redundancy, and robust human processes. Wiseman Cybersec urges the industry to treat every incident as an opportunity to elevate standards, reduce risk, and protect the continuity of critical services on which millions depend daily.
COLD DRIVER Joins BO Team & Bearlfy: A New Wave of Russia-Focused Cyberattacks
A major escalation in the ongoing Russia-focused cyber threat landscape has unfolded as the COLDRIVER group, alongside BO Team and Bearlyfy, launches new multi-stage malware campaigns. From the Wiseman Cybersec perspective, this coordinated surge represents both a technical evolution in attacker capabilities and a critical shift in the cyberwarfare dynamics impacting Russian, Western, and civil society targets. The COLDRIVER Campaign: Arsenal Expansion In September 2025, Zscaler ThreatLabz documented COLDRIVER, a Russia-linked APT also known as Star Blizzard, Callisto, and UNC4057, ramping up its operations with two new lightweight malware strains: BAITSWITCH and SIMPLEFIX. COLDRIVER’s attack chain leverages ClickFix, a social engineering technique that lures targets—often NGOs, journalists, and human rights activists in both the West and Russia—into running malicious code disguised as legitimate actions, such as completing CAPTCHA checks. BO Team and Bearlyfy: Counteroffensive and New Tactics In parallel, threat groups BO Team (aka Black Owl, Hoody Hyena) and Bearlyfy are waging sophisticated attacks inside Russia. Their campaigns target both public and private sectors: Bearlyfy’s infrastructure shows technical overlap with pro-Ukrainian threat groups, yet evidence points to it being an independent actor. Notably, Bearlyfy attacks often exploit vulnerabilities in external services (e.g., Bitrix, Zerologon), favouring immediate impact over drawn-out espionage. Analysis: The Implications for Cybersecurity and Geopolitics Wiseman Cybersec’s Recommendations Conclusion The emergence of COLDRIVER’s new malware alongside the disruptive activities of BO Team and Bearlyfy marks a pivotal evolution in Russia-focused cyber conflicts. Wiseman Cybersec urges organisations to move beyond conventional defence and engage layered, adaptive security measures—blending technical hardening with rapid threat intelligence collaboration—to defend against this fast-maturing, multi-front threat environment.
DPDPA 2025: India’s Data Privacy Law Gets Real
India’s DPDPA 2025 is transforming how organisations collect, use, and protect personal data. As digital activity surges, this law establishes a clear rights-based framework for data protection, closely mirroring global standards like GDPR. Who Does the Law Apply To? Key Principles Obligations for Companies Cross-Border Data Transfers Penalties for Non-Compliance DPDPA introduces strict financial penalties, so organisations need to be vigilant. Actual penalties depend on the severity, duration, recurrence, and steps taken to resolve or reduce risk. How to Prepare Why DPDPA 2025 Matters DPDPA brings India in line with top international standards. It’s not just legal compliance—companies face steep fines, operational risk, and possible reputational damage without robust data privacy practices. Now’s the time to overhaul data governance and put users at the heart of every decision.
RBI’s New Digital Payment Security Norms: A Big Shift for India’s Fintech Ecosystem
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced a fresh set of digital payment security norms aimed at bolstering resilience, safeguarding consumer trust, and ensuring the long-term stability of India’s fast-evolving fintech landscape. With digital transactions in India crossing billions each month—powered by UPI, wallets, and online banking—the move comes at a critical juncture where security, compliance, and innovation must walk hand-in-hand. Why These Norms Were Introduced India has become one of the largest digital payment markets in the world. However, rapid adoption has also brought heightened risks: Rising cyber frauds involving phishing, SIM swaps, and payment app scams. Weak consumer awareness of security hygiene. Lack of standardised security frameworks across fintech startups and smaller financial entities. Regulatory pressure to align with global best practices such as PCI DSS and ISO standards. The RBI’s new norms are therefore designed to create a level playing field—ensuring banks, fintechs, and payment service providers adopt uniform security protocols. Key Highlights of the New RBI Norms Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Reinforcement Payment operators must implement mandatory MFA across high-risk transactions. This includes biometric verification, dynamic OTPs, and device-based authentication for enhanced protection. Transaction Monitoring in Real-Time Banks and fintechs are required to deploy AI-driven fraud detection systems that monitor behavioral patterns, device fingerprints, and geolocation mismatches to flag suspicious activity. Stronger Data Protection Mandates All entities must comply with RBI-approved encryption standards, ensuring sensitive financial data is masked, tokenised, and never stored in plaintext. Mandatory Cybersecurity Audits Payment aggregators, banks, and fintech companies must undergo regular third-party security audits to identify vulnerabilities and fix them proactively. Consumer-Centric Safeguards Quick dispute resolution mechanisms for fraud victims. Greater transparency on transaction risks during onboarding. Awareness campaigns to strengthen digital hygiene. Cloud & Third-Party Vendor Governance Since many fintechs rely on third-party cloud infrastructure, the norms mandate strict vendor security checks, SLA-bound incident reporting, and RBI-approved data residency guidelines. Impact on India’s Fintech Ecosystem The new framework is expected to bring both challenges and opportunities: For Banks & Payment Gateways: Compliance costs will rise due to additional investment in security infrastructure, AI monitoring systems, and frequent audits. However, this will significantly reduce fraud losses and regulatory penalties. For Startups & Fintech Innovators: Smaller fintech players may face hurdles in meeting RBI’s stringent requirements, especially regarding audits and advanced security tools. This could lead to industry consolidation, with well-funded players gaining more dominance. For Consumers: End-users will benefit from safer transactions and stronger grievance redressal, though some may initially feel friction due to tighter authentication processes. For Investors & Global Stakeholders: Enhanced security standards will boost investor confidence in India’s fintech sector, aligning it with international compliance regimes. Wiseman CyberSec’s Perspective At Wiseman CyberSec, we see RBI’s move as a long-term win for India’s digital economy. By compelling financial institutions and fintech players to adopt robust cybersecurity measures, the norms will: Build trust at scale, critical for UPI’s global expansion ambitions. Encourage cybersecurity innovation, creating demand for specialised talent, tools, and services. Reduce systemic risks that could destabilise the digital payments ecosystem if left unchecked. Yes, the immediate compliance burden is heavy, but this regulatory shift represents a decisive step toward positioning India as a secure fintech hub on the global stage. Conclusion RBI’s new digital payment security norms mark a turning point for India’s fintech sector. While they impose stricter compliance responsibilities, they also pave the way for greater resilience, innovation, and trust in digital finance. In the long run, these measures will not only safeguard consumers but also strengthen India’s reputation as a leader in digital payments security. The message is clear: security is no longer optional—it is the foundation of India’s fintech future.
India’s Cyber Threat Landscape Intensifies: Rising Risks in a Digital Economy
India is experiencing an unprecedented surge in AI-powered cyberattacks, redefining the very nature of digital risk for enterprises of all sizes. What was once the province of lone hackers or basic malware campaigns is now an arms race driven by advanced artificial intelligence—leaving many organisations scrambling to keep pace. In this in-depth feature, Wiseman Cybersec breaks down the numbers, evolving attack vectors, and urgent priorities for business resilience in 2025 and beyond. The Numbers: A Digital Wake-Up Call Recent studies by the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) show that traditional malware is no longer the dominant threat—79% of Indian cyber intrusions in 2024 stemmed from AI-driven tactics such as social engineering, cloud exploitations, and vulnerability chaining, and not from conventional malware payloads. The average cost of a data breach has climbed to $2.35 million, with one in three breaches directly tied to AI-powered methods. India now leads the globe for endpoint malware incidents, accounting for roughly 12–14% of global cases, and has registered a 134% surge in total cyber incidents just in the last four years. Phishing attempts leveraging AI to craft hyper-realistic lures on platforms like Teams and Slack have sometimes tripled within months, while deepfake-enabled social engineering is responsible for a 53% rise in such attacks across the Asia Pacific region. The Mechanics: How AI Empowers Cybercriminals Cybercriminals are weaponising AI in ways unthinkable even a couple of years ago: Sectoral Impact: No One Is Immune Statistically, healthcare, financial services, and energy stand as the most frequently targeted verticals, facing disruption, data theft, and operational undermining. Government and public welfare platforms are increasingly targeted by hybrid threats—malicious applications masquerading as official benefit portals, investment platforms, or digital ID systems. The scale of potential harm is enormous: in just the first half of 2024, Indians collectively lost over ₹11,000 crore to cyber frauds, with 6,000+ complaints filed each day via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Barriers to Defence: Why Are We Falling Behind? Despite the mounting challenge, most Indian organisations struggle with key shortcomings: What Wiseman Cybersec Recommends At Wiseman Cybersec, the philosophy is clear: defending against AI-powered adversaries demands more than incremental change; it requires a mindset transformation. Here’s a pragmatic roadmap aligned to India’s current threat climate: The Road Ahead: Resilience Is Non-Negotiable With India’s digital economy poised to contribute 20% of GDP by 2026—and digital payments crossing 18.3 billion transactions in March 2025 alone—the stakes could not be higher. AI-fueled cyber threats are not a distant future risk; they are a present-day business reality with direct impacts on reputation, financial stability, and strategic growth. The rapid pace of AI adoption in India’s economy only accelerates the arms race. Wiseman’s Final Word: AI is rapidly changing both sides of the cybersecurity equation. For India to thrive digitally, every organisation must foster resilience, embed AI-aware security into its operational DNA, and champion a culture of continuous adaptation. Boards, CISOs, and security practitioners must unite—because tomorrow’s digital trust will belong to the wise and the prepared. What practical steps is your organisation taking to counter AI-powered cyber threats? Tell us in the comments or connect with Wiseman Cybersec for bespoke strategies and workshops.
India’s Cyber Threat Landscape Intensifies: Risks in a Digital Economy
India’s digital economy is growing at breakneck speed, but the cyber threats evolving alongside are unprecedented in their scale and sophistication. Over 1.2 million cybercrimes have been officially reported in just the first half of 2025, with Maharashtra (1.6 lakh cases) and Uttar Pradesh (1.4 lakh) leading the list. Rural and semi-urban regions are feeling the brunt of this surge, as threat actors exploit new digital users and less cyber-aware populations. State of Cybersecurity in India 🏛️ Regulatory Push: New Rules Set Higher Bar India’s regulators are responding forcefully: Wiseman Cybersec’s Point of View As a leader in cybersecurity training and awareness, Wiseman Cybersec believes that safeguarding India’s digital future means taking a holistic, practical, and continuous approach: Final Thought India’s cyber threat landscape is now as much a business and economic risk as it is a technology problem. The organisations that will thrive are those that embed cyber resilience into every digital step they take—balancing innovation with trust, and growth with security. How is your organization preparing for the next wave of cyber threats in India’s digital ecosystem? #CyberSecurity #DPDP2025 #AICyberRisks #WisemanCybersec #IndiaDigitalEconomy #CyberResilience
AI-Powered Cybercrime-Rise of smarter phishing and shadow IT
AI-powered cybercrime is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape, introducing new threats that are faster, smarter, and harder to detect than ever before. The convergence of AI and cybercrime has enabled attackers to automate reconnaissance, launch hyper-personalised phishing campaigns, and create adaptive malware that evades traditional security defences—all posing unprecedented risks for organisations and individuals alike. AI-Enhanced Reconnaissance and Social Engineering Attackers now use AI to scan and map digital environments at lightning speed, automating what was once slow, manual work. AI tools piece together detailed personal profiles by collecting scraps of data from social media, professional platforms, and public records, enabling threat actors to target victims with almost surgical precision. This automated reconnaissance allows criminals to identify exploitable vulnerabilities, such as outdated systems, weak passwords, or exposed sensitive credentials, significantly raising the risk level for any organisation. Smarter Phishing Campaigns AI and large language models (LLMs) are revolutionising phishing, empowering attackers to create messages that closely mimic legitimate emails, reference real-world context, and adapt their style for different recipients. Gone are the days of generic spam; now, AI customises each attack to each target—such as sending fake invoices tied to actual subscriptions or delivery notices for packages a target genuinely expects. The result is a surge in successful phishing exploits and social engineering scams, with deepfake and AI-generated voices further amplifying the deception. AI-Powered Malware and Cybercrime-as-a-Service AI lets cybercriminals develop malware that can change its code in real-time, mutating to evade static defences and detection mechanisms. Ransomware and extortion operations are increasingly run by so-called “agentic” AI, which not only automates tasks but can actively make strategic decisions, such as adjusting ransom demands based on the victim’s financial data. Likewise, “cybercrime-as-a-service” makes renting AI attacks possible for any criminal, regardless of technical expertise, democratizing cybercrime and speeding up its proliferation. The Threat of Shadow AI Shadow AI—unauthorised AI applications deployed inside organisations—poses a growing security risk. Employees regularly access outside AI chatbots, automation tools, or code generators without IT oversight, exposing sensitive corporate data to unvetted systems and triggering compliance and governance headaches. Shadow AI functions as both an attack surface and a risk amplifier, complicating traditional threat models and requiring continuous monitoring and robust IAM controls. Defensive Measures and Recommendations The defence against AI-powered cybercrime rests on coordinated, multi-layered strategies: Future Outlook Surveys and global threat intelligence confirm that more than 40% of IT professionals believe the rise of AI-powered attacks is the greatest game-changer in cybercrime this year. As attackers continue doubling down on AI, defenders must adapt quickly—combining technology with strong governance and user education—to stay ahead of the evolving threat.
Cyber Insurance: Smart Shield or Costly Illusion? — A Wiseman CyberSec Perspective
In today’s hyperconnected digital landscape, cyber risk has become a defining business threat. From crippling ransomware attacks and insider breaches to compliance fines and reputation loss — no organisation, regardless of size or sector, is immune. The hard truth? It’s no longer a question of if a breach will occur, but when. To mitigate these rising risks, an increasing number of organisations are turning toward cyber insurance. The market is expanding rapidly — forecasted to exceed $22 billion by 2025 — as companies seek financial protection against the fallout of cyber incidents. But this surge in adoption raises a crucial question: 👉 Is cyber insurance a smart investment — or an expensive illusion of safety? The Case for Cyber Insurance At its core, cyber insurance acts as a financial cushion designed to absorb the shock of cyber incidents. When implemented wisely, it can provide tangible and timely benefits that help businesses stay afloat during a crisis. 1. Financial Recovery and Risk Transfer A well-structured policy covers a range of losses, including: For a mid-sized enterprise, such coverage can turn multimillion-dollar damages into manageable losses, helping ensure operational continuity. 2. Incident Response and Crisis Management Many insurers now offer bundled response services — access to cyber forensic experts, legal counsel, and crisis communication professionals. This rapid mobilisation during the “golden 72 hours” after a breach is often the difference between swift containment and catastrophic escalation. At Wiseman CyberSec, we’ve observed that companies with well-integrated insurance-backed response frameworks recover faster and with lower long-term reputational damage. 3. Enhanced Trust and Compliance Readiness Cyber insurance isn’t just financial protection — it’s also a signal of maturity. Stakeholders, investors, and regulators increasingly view insurance coverage as proof of responsible risk management. In industries like healthcare, BFSI, and IT services, it’s becoming a de facto compliance expectation. In some regions, contracts even mandate evidence of cyber insurance before onboarding vendors. The Pitfalls You Can’t Ignore Despite its promise, cyber insurance isn’t a silver bullet. Many organisations purchase policies without understanding their scope or limitations — a costly mistake when incidents strike. 1. Exclusions and Loopholes Certain high-impact threats may not be covered: Some insurers even deny claims if the organisation failed to maintain “reasonable security measures.” In other words, if your defences were weak, your payout could be rejected. 2. Rising Premiums and Limited Payouts The surge in global ransomware between 2020–2022 caused premiums to skyrocket by 40–80% annually in some markets. Moreover, high deductibles and coverage caps mean businesses may still shoulder significant residual losses. For SMBs with limited budgets, this can make policies economically unsustainable. 3. Compliance Burden Obtaining a cyber policy is no longer straightforward. Insurers now demand: Organisations that lack cybersecurity maturity often find themselves disqualified — or face higher premiums and restricted coverage. The Wiseman Perspective: A Balanced, Layered Approach So, is cyber insurance worth it? Our view at Wiseman CyberSec is clear: Yes — but only as part of a broader, layered defence strategy. Insurance alone cannot protect your data or reputation. It complements, not replaces, robust cybersecurity practices. Here’s the Wiseman-recommended framework: 1. Strengthen Your Cyber Defence First Before purchasing insurance, ensure your organisation has: Without these foundations, even the best policy may fail to pay out. 2. Treat Cyber Insurance as a Safety Net — Not a Shield Insurance absorbs the financial blow, but it doesn’t prevent attacks, rebuild trust, or protect your brand reputation. At Wiseman, we encourage clients to invest in prevention first — because the cost of resilience is always lower than the cost of recovery. 3. Read the Fine Print and Customise Your Coverage Avoid one-size-fits-all policies. Tailor your insurance terms to match your organisation’s specific risk profile, including: A well-negotiated policy can be the difference between strategic protection and a false sense of security. Final Thoughts Cyber insurance isn’t a magic shield — nor is it a waste of money. It’s a strategic risk management tool, valuable only when paired with strong cybersecurity foundations. Think of it this way: Both matter. Both are essential. But one can never replace the other. Wiseman Insight At Wiseman CyberSec, we believe the future of resilience lies in integration — not isolation. Security, governance, compliance, and insurance must work in harmony to ensure your business remains secure, compliant, and operational — even under attack. Join the Wiseman Cyber Community to stay ahead in cybersecurity risk management and governance trends. 🔗 www.wisemancybersec.com 🌐 Wiseman Cyber Community
