Quick Read

• A BYD Atto 3 EV charging cable was vandalized in Newcastle.
• An incident took place at the Victoria Theatre kerbside charging station.
• Chargers set up by JetCharge are part of the Chargefox network.
• Kerbside chargers necessitate the use of your own Type-2 to Type-2 EV charging cables.
• Vandalism potentially driven by opposition to electric vehicles.
• Community assistance requested to identify the vandal using security footage.

Damaged Charging Cable in Newcastle

A BYD owner recently found their charging cable damaged overnight while charging their Atto 3 Electric Vehicle (EV) at a kerbside station in Newcastle. The incident took place at the Victoria Theatre at 8/10 Perkins St, Newcastle NSW 2300, a location that provides overnight charging for up to four vehicles.

Kerbside Charging Solutions

The kerbside charging stations at the Victoria Theatre, installed by JetCharge and integrated into the Chargefox network, offer AC charging at 7 kW from chargers mounted on light poles. These chargers present a practical solution for EV owners without home charging options, eliminating the need to run cables across sidewalks.

BYO Charging Cables

These curbside stations necessitate that EV owners supply their own Type-2 to Type-2 EV charging cables. These cables can be rather expensive, often costing several hundred dollars based on their length and quality.

Vandalism: An Increasing Issue

The recent incident of vandalism is especially discouraging, indicating a possible anti-electric vehicle attitude. Although the car was not harmed, the expensive charging cable was ruined. There is hope that local companies or inhabitants might possess security recordings that could assist in identifying the perpetrator.

Community Response

The event has ignited conversations among EV enthusiasts, with individuals exchanging their experiences and worries on forums such as the BYD EV Owners Australia group on Facebook. There is a unified plea for enhanced security protocols and heightened community awareness to avert similar incidents in the future.

Summary

The damage inflicted on a BYD Atto 3 EV charging cable in Newcastle underscores the difficulties and risks encountered by the increasing population of electric vehicle owners in Australia. With the rise of kerbside charging solutions, it is crucial for communities to back these efforts and safeguard the infrastructure from harmful actions.

Q&A

Where was the act of vandalism committed?

A:

The act of vandalism took place at the Victoria Theatre curbside charging station in Newcastle, situated at 8/10 Perkins St, Newcastle NSW 2300.

Q: What kinds of chargers can be found at this place?

A:

The site is equipped with AC chargers provided by JetCharge, offering 7 kW of power and mounted on light poles. These chargers are integrated into the Chargefox network.

Do individuals have to supply their own charging cables?

A:

Yes, users are required to provide their own Type-2 to Type-2 EV charging cables in order to utilize these kerbside chargers. These cables can be quite costly, sometimes amounting to several hundred dollars.

What could have driven someone to commit this act of vandalism?

A:

The act of vandalism appears to be driven by anti-EV sentiment, as only the charging cable was harmed, leaving the vehicle itself untouched.

Q: In what ways can the community contribute to solving this problem?

A:

The community can assist by reviewing security footage from local businesses or homes and reporting any unusual activities. Enhanced awareness and backing for electric vehicle infrastructure are also essential.

Q: Where can I talk more about this incident?

A:

You can find discussions about this incident in the BYD EV Owners Australia group on Facebook. Group members share their experiences and concerns about owning electric vehicles and the associated challenges.

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Harnessing the Cloud’s Potential: How Fusion5 is Transforming Smooth Migration

Quick Read

• Comprehend your workloads prior to transitioning to the cloud.
• Be mindful of the expenses related to cloud services.
• Equip your team with the essential understanding for cloud governance.
• Select a trustworthy partner for evaluating and overseeing the migration.
• Use infrastructure-as-code for effective administration and security.

There are numerous reasons to move to the cloud, but the method an organization selects to make the transition can greatly impact the outcomes it experiences upon arrival.

Important Factors to Consider for Cloud Migration

According to Kris Jackson, the general manager of cloud infrastructure and security at Fusion5, advantages like lowered expenses, enhanced security, and better governance can be realized, though they are contingent on how well the migration is strategized and performed.

Understanding Workloads

“Firstly, ensure you have a thorough understanding of the workloads in your environment,” Jackson advises. This includes recognizing which applications and data require migration and comprehending their dependencies and performance needs.

Cost Awareness

The second important point is to ensure you understand that every minute a service operates in the cloud incurs charges. Cloud services use a pay-as-you-go model, so inefficiencies can swiftly result in excessive costs if not properly managed.

Team Preparedness

Furthermore, consider whether your business is truly prepared to handle workloads in the cloud. Does your team possess adequate knowledge of cloud concepts and the necessary governance and control measures? It is essential to provide proper training and preparation to your team to avoid mismanagement and ensure smooth operations after migration.

The Significance of a Trustworthy Companion

Jackson underscores the significance of selecting a partner capable of both accurately evaluating and overseeing the migration process, as well as training internal resources. This guarantees that the staff can effectively handle the new environment.

Infrastructure-as-Code

This opens up the possibility to shift from utilizing traditional processes for cloud management to employing machine-readable definition files, a strategy known as infrastructure-as-code. According to Jackson, this method can result in further cost savings through automation of management tasks and enhanced security.

“It’s crucial to comprehend how your team will function in the new setting and which tools they will utilize to take advantage of that automation,” Jackson explains.

Summary

Migrating to the cloud presents various advantages such as lowering expenses, boosting security, and strengthening governance. Nevertheless, comprehending workloads, being mindful of costs, and readying your team are crucial steps for a smooth transition. Collaborating with professionals such as Fusion5 can facilitate the process and secure lasting success by implementing strategies like infrastructure-as-code.

Q: What are the main advantages of transitioning to cloud computing?

A: The main advantages consist of lower expenses, enhanced security, and better governance.

Q: What factors should businesses evaluate prior to moving to the cloud?

Organizations must comprehend their workloads, stay informed about cloud service expenses, and equip their teams with the essential knowledge for effective cloud governance.

Q: Why is selecting a dependable partner for cloud migration so crucial?

A dependable partner can effectively evaluate and oversee the migration process while also training internal staff to maintain seamless operations after the migration.

Q: What does infrastructure-as-code mean?

Infrastructure as Code refers to the practice of using machine-readable definition files to manage cloud environments. This approach enhances cost efficiency and security by leveraging automation.

Q: What strategies can businesses use to control expenses related to cloud services?

A: By recognizing that cloud services incur costs by the minute, businesses can improve their planning and utilize management automation tools to maintain cost control.

Q: In what ways can Fusion5 assist with the process of migrating to the cloud?

Fusion5 can assist by evaluating and overseeing the migration process, training internal teams, and offering expertise in utilizing infrastructure-as-code for effective management and improved security.

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Quick Read

• A US judge threw out the majority of the SEC’s lawsuit against SolarWinds.
• The lawsuit alleged that SolarWinds concealed security vulnerabilities both before and after a significant cyberattack.
• SolarWinds and its Chief Information Security Officer, Timothy Brown, were exonerated regarding statements made after the attack.
• The Sunburst cyberattack breached multiple US government agencies.
• This instance is notable as one of the few where the SEC took legal action against a company for being a victim of a cyberattack, and the case did not conclude with a settlement.

SolarWinds Prevails in Most of the SEC Cyberattack Lawsuit

Judge Rejects the Majority of Claims

US District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan has thrown out most of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit against SolarWinds, a software firm. The lawsuit alleged that SolarWinds misled investors by hiding its security flaws before and after a major cyberattack associated with Russia that targeted the US government.

Post-Attack Claims Refuted

The judge rejected all accusations against both SolarWinds and its chief information security officer, Timothy Brown, related to statements made following the attack. The rejection was based on the reasoning that these accusations were speculative and depended on hindsight.

Initial Assault Claims Partially Resolved

Though many of the SEC’s allegations regarding pre-attack statements were dismissed, the judge permitted securities fraud claims to move forward based on a declaration on SolarWinds’ website that touted the company’s security measures. The SEC chose not to comment on the ruling.

SolarWinds Responds

SolarWinds expressed approval of the decision, describing the outstanding claim against the company as “factually incorrect.” Brown’s attorneys did not promptly respond to requests for comments.

The Sunburst Cyberattack

The Sunburst cyberattack, lasting almost two years, compromised SolarWinds’ main Orion software platform to access multiple US government networks. The breached agencies included the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Homeland Security, State, and Treasury, before the attack was revealed in December 2020. Although the complete impact is still unknown, US officials suspect Russia was behind the attack, an accusation Russia denies.

SEC’s Unusual Move

The case initiated by the SEC last October was noteworthy because it was the first instance where the regulator targeted a company that had fallen victim to a cyberattack without declaring a simultaneous settlement. Additionally, it is unusual for the SEC to file lawsuits against public company executives who are not directly responsible for preparing financial statements.

Legal Views on Cybersecurity Reporting

The SEC accused SolarWinds of understating its cybersecurity weaknesses before the attack and downplaying the impact of the attack afterwards. Moreover, the SEC asserted that SolarWinds hid warnings from customers regarding malicious activities related to Orion. Nonetheless, Judge Engelmayer pointed out that anti-fraud laws do not mandate companies to give excessively detailed risk warnings that could inadvertently assist cyber attackers.

The judge also mentioned that SolarWinds had already admitted it couldn’t stop every cyberattack, highlighting that such events are an unavoidable aspect of the current digital environment.

Summary

In conclusion, SolarWinds has largely overcome the SEC’s lawsuit concerning the Sunburst cyberattack. This outcome underscores key aspects of cybersecurity disclosures and the legal obligations companies face within an increasingly intricate digital landscape.

What was the primary allegation against SolarWinds?

A:

The primary allegation was that SolarWinds deceived investors by hiding its security vulnerabilities both prior to and following the Sunburst cyberattack.

Who rejected the majority of the allegations in the legal case?

A:

US District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan threw out the majority of the allegations in the lawsuit.

Q: What made the SEC’s case against SolarWinds stand out?

A:

This case was notable as it was the first instance in which the SEC pursued a company that had suffered a cyberattack without simultaneously announcing a settlement. Additionally, it is uncommon for public company executives who are not directly tied to financial reporting to face lawsuits from the SEC.

Q: What were some of the impacts resulting from the Sunburst cyberattack?

A:

The Sunburst cyberattack infiltrated multiple US government agencies such as the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Homeland Security, State, and Treasury. The extent of the damage is still unclear, but there are suggestions that Russia was probably behind the attack.

Q: What was Judge Engelmayer’s comment regarding risk warnings?

A:

Judge Engelmayer observed that anti-fraud regulations do not necessitate excessively detailed risk warnings, as doing so might inadvertently provide cyber attackers with exploitable information. He further noted that SolarWinds had already conceded it could not thwart every cyberattack.

Q: What actions did SolarWinds take following the judge’s ruling?

A:

SolarWinds was pleased with the judge’s ruling and mentioned that the remaining allegation against them was “not based on factual evidence.”

What implications does this case have for other companies concerning cybersecurity disclosures?

A:

This situation highlights the critical need to strike a balance between transparency and practical challenges in cybersecurity disclosures. Businesses must maneuver through intricate legal environments while recognizing their constraints in thwarting all potential cyber threats.

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Google Integrates AI into US Coverage of Paris Olympics

Quick Read

• Google collaborates with NBCUniversal to utilize AI for improving the Paris Olympics coverage.
• Google will serve as the official AI search partner for Team USA.
• NBCUniversal seeks to engage younger viewers through customized recaps powered by AI.
• Google’s AI will help commentators clarify sports events and respond to questions.
• Comedian Leslie Jones will utilize Google’s Gemini AI model for her commentary.

Collaboration of Artificial Intelligence with Team USA

In a historic development, Google has become the official search AI partner for Team USA, marking the inaugural collaboration between a tech company and the sports nonprofit. This partnership is set to transform the way audiences interact with the Olympic Games, especially in the digital era.

Modernising Olympic Coverage

NBCUniversal, the US broadcaster for the Games, is updating its coverage to appeal to those who don’t watch live TV and younger viewers who prefer watching clips online. This plan includes using advanced AI technologies to create a more engaging and interactive viewing experience.

Personalised AI-Generated Recaps

NBCUniversal has announced plans to introduce personalized AI-generated daily summaries of the competition. These summaries will be narrated by AI representations of famous figures, such as sports commentator Al Michaels. This feature is designed to provide a distinctive combination of familiarity and innovation, attracting a wide range of viewers.

AI-Assisted Commentary

Throughout both daytime and primetime coverage of the Olympics, NBCUniversal’s anchors will utilize Google Search’s AI summaries to respond to inquiries about different sports. For example, they might elucidate the importance of lane assignments in swimming events. This application of AI aims to enhance the broadcast by making it more informative and engaging for the audience.

Leslie Jones and Google’s Gemini AI Model

Comedian Leslie Jones, set to provide commentary in Paris, plans to use Google’s Gemini AI model to master new sports and captivate the audience. This partnership highlights the adaptability and promise of AI in elevating live sports commentary.

Starting Date of the Paris Olympics

The Paris Olympics will commence on July 26. Through these cutting-edge AI implementations, NBCUniversal and Google seek to transform the global audience’s viewing experience.

Summary

Google’s collaboration with NBCUniversal and Team USA brings revolutionary AI enhancements to the US broadcast of the Paris Olympics. Featuring personalized highlights and AI-driven commentary, these technological developments are designed to engage younger viewers and offer a more immersive, interactive viewing experience.

Q: What is the primary goal of incorporating Google’s AI into the Olympics broadcast?

The primary goal is to boost viewer engagement and deliver a more interactive and informative experience by utilizing AI for personalized recaps and real-time responses to sports-related questions.

Q: What are NBCUniversal’s plans for incorporating AI in their Olympic broadcasts?

NBCUniversal plans to utilize AI-generated daily summaries, voiced by virtual avatars of famous figures, and employ Google’s AI technology to help anchors elucidate sports information during live shows.

Q: Who is Leslie Jones and what part will she take on in the coverage?

Leslie Jones, a comedian, will act as a commentator for the Paris Olympics. She plans to utilize Google’s Gemini AI model to acquire knowledge about new sports and provide entertainment for viewers.

Q: When do the Paris Olympic Games start?

The Paris Olympics are set to start on July 26.

Q: What sets apart Google’s collaboration with Team USA?

This represents the initial instance of a technology firm collaborating with Team USA as the official search AI partner, indicating a major advancement in merging technology with sports broadcasting.

Q: By what means does Google’s AI deliver responses during live broadcasts?

Google’s AI summaries create written answers to search inquiries, enabling commentators to offer in-depth explanations without the necessity of visiting website links.

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CrowdStrike’s Devastating IT Outage: Causes and Preventive Measures for Future Incidents

Quick Read

• A CrowdStrike update leads to a significant IT outage affecting systems worldwide.
• Initially believed to be a Microsoft outage, the issue was later identified as a bug in CrowdStrike.
• Travel, business, and critical services have faced significant disruptions.
• Underlying issue: unauthorized memory access resulting in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).
• The solution required several intricate steps, such as booting in safe mode and uninstalling the problematic update.
• Preventing future issues necessitates thorough testing and the implementation of phased rollouts.

What Happened?

CrowdStrike, a prominent American cybersecurity company recognized for its endpoint security solutions, released an update that unintentionally led to a worldwide IT outage. This flaw resulted in the notorious Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on Windows computers, causing continuous reboot loops and considerable disturbances.

The problem started at approximately 4 PM Australian time on Friday, July 19, 2024. Initially blamed on Microsoft, further investigation identified CrowdStrike’s update as the cause. This unprecedented incident had far-reaching consequences:

• Turmoil in travel: A multitude of flights were either cancelled or delayed globally.
• Operational disruptions were experienced by banks, hospitals, emergency services, and media organizations.
• Economic consequences: Companies suffered financial losses due to mandatory closures or decreased productivity.
• Significant disruption: Crucial services such as online banking and hospital systems experienced interruptions.

Root Cause Analysis

CrowdStrike’s update tried to access an invalid memory address (0x9c), causing Windows to instantly shut down the application. This invalid access occurred because of a NULL pointer in the memory-unsafe C++ language. Given that security software has extensive access to system files, this error resulted in widespread system crashes.

Crowdstrike Investigation: It was a NULL pointer stemming from the memory-unsafe C++ language. – Zach Vorhies (@Perpetualmaniac)

This section of memory is not valid for any program. Any program attempting to access this area will be instantly terminated by Windows. – Zach Vorhies (@Perpetualmaniac)

Here is the main issue behind the blue screen of death… When your computer fails, the system drivers are responsible 95% of the time. – Zach Vorhies (@Perpetualmaniac)

Resolution Steps

To address the problem, CrowdStrike released a public announcement and detailed the procedures for impacted firms.

1. Starting Windows in Safe Mode can be difficult for devices deployed in an enterprise environment because of Bitlocker encryption.
2. Delete the problematic update—it’s more straightforward once you enter Safe Mode.

CrowdStrike stopped the spread of the flawed update and focused on releasing a fixed version. However, addressing the issue was intricate and lengthy, necessitating physical access to numerous devices.

Future Prevention Strategies

The incident highlights the necessity for stringent testing procedures and gradual implementations for crucial updates. It is imperative for security vendors to ensure their code undergoes extensive automated and manual testing prior to deployment. Gradual rollouts, akin to Microsoft’s Windows Insider Release Rings, could assist in reducing such risks by identifying problems at an early stage with smaller groups.

Moreover, operating systems such as Windows ought to integrate features that enable the rollback of faulty drivers without necessitating a full reboot or considerable manual effort.

Summary

The IT outage caused by CrowdStrike highlights the essential importance of thorough testing and gradual deployments in software updates. Although the immediate problem has been addressed, similar events in the future can be avoided by enhancing practices and protocols among both cybersecurity companies and operating system developers.

Q&A

What was the reason behind the CrowdStrike IT disruption?

A:

The interruption occurred due to a glitch in a CrowdStrike update which tried to access an invalid memory address, causing Windows PCs to experience Blue Screens of Death (BSODs).

How were various sectors impacted by the outage?

A:

The disruption led to travel turmoil with flight cancellations, interruptions in banking and hospital operations, economic losses, and public inconvenience in crucial services such as online banking and emergency communication channels.

Q: What actions were implemented to address the problem?

A:

The solution entailed starting the impacted computers in Safe Mode and uninstalling the problematic update. Additionally, CrowdStrike halted the spread of the update and released a fixed version.

Q: What measures can be taken to avoid similar incidents in the future?

A:

To ensure better future prevention, it is necessary to implement stricter testing protocols, introduce phased rollouts for updates, and incorporate built-in rollback mechanisms within operating systems to manage faulty drivers more effectively.

Why wasn’t this problem identified during testing?

A:

The incident exposes deficiencies in CrowdStrike’s testing procedures. The defective code probably succeeded in automated tests but did not perform as expected in practical situations, suggesting a requirement for more thorough testing strategies.

Q: What was CrowdStrike’s reaction to the worldwide backlash?

A:

CrowdStrike has released a public apology and outlined measures to fix the problem. The CEO is presently on an apology tour to address international concerns.

What is Microsoft’s role in preventing these problems?

A:

Microsoft can mitigate these problems by introducing rollback mechanisms for faulty drivers and ensuring that third-party updates adhere to strict safety standards before being deployed.

Q: What effect did this incident have on CrowdStrike’s market valuation?

A:

CrowdStrike saw a major decline in its market capitalization, shedding billions of dollars in value overnight due to the incident.

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Quick Read

• CrowdStrike disclosed that a sensor settings modification led to the blue screen of death (BSOD) on Windows machines.
• The problem affected systems operating the Falcon sensor version 7.11 and later on Windows.
• Primary industries in Australia, including airlines, banking institutions, and transportation systems, experienced disruptions.
• An in-depth investigation into the root cause is currently being conducted to avert similar problems in the future.
• CrowdStrike has released remediation steps and knowledgebase articles for IT administrators.

Detailed Analysis of the Windows System Outage

In a recent blog article, CrowdStrike offered the inaugural technical breakdown of an update that caused widespread disruptions to Windows computers. A sensor configuration update caused a logic mistake, leading to system crashes and the notorious ‘blue screen of death’ (BSOD) on affected devices.

Primary Cause and Solution

CrowdStrike fixed the logic error by modifying the content in the configuration file, but acknowledged that a detailed root cause analysis is necessary to understand how the logic flaw happened. The company pledged to pinpoint any underlying or procedural enhancements to improve their process.

Regular Updates to Configuration Files

CrowdStrike usually updates configuration files—referred to as “channel files” within their ecosystem—multiple times daily. The problematic update was meant to enable CrowdStrike Falcon sensors on endpoints to identify newly detected, malicious named pipes employed by common C2 frameworks in cyberattacks.

A named pipe is a method for transferring data between unrelated processes and processes on different machines, as described in Microsoft documentation.

Effect on Systems and Industries

Systems operating Falcon sensor for Windows versions 7.11 and higher that downloaded the updated configuration between 04:09 UTC and 05:27 UTC were prone to system crashes. This issue impacted multiple sectors across Australia, such as airlines, airports, transportation networks, supermarkets, banks, and businesses. The federal government convened an emergency meeting with CrowdStrike representatives, and IT outages were subsequently experienced globally.

Controversy Regarding Social Media Examination

CrowdStrike utilized its blog post to counter social media claims that blank or null values in the configuration file contributed to the issue. They clarified that the problem was unrelated to null bytes within either the problematic channel file or any other channel file.

Summary

CrowdStrike’s latest update to its sensor configuration caused significant disruptions in Windows systems because of a logic error. This resulted in major IT outages both in Australia and other regions. Although immediate corrective measures have been implemented, a comprehensive root cause analysis is still in progress. CrowdStrike has offered detailed instructions to IT administrators to help with remediation efforts.

What led to the system crash and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on Windows devices?

A sensor configuration update from CrowdStrike resulted in a logic error, leading to system crashes and the blue screen of death (BSOD) on affected Windows systems.

Which systems experienced issues due to the defective update?

Systems operating Falcon sensor for Windows version 7.11 or higher that retrieved the updated configuration between 04:09 UTC and 05:27 UTC were vulnerable to crashing.

Which industries were affected by this update?

Major industries throughout Australia, such as airlines, airports, transportation systems, supermarkets, banks, and businesses, faced interruptions.

Q: What measures has CrowdStrike implemented to address the problem?

CrowdStrike fixed the logical error by modifying the configuration file’s content. They are also performing an in-depth root cause analysis and have released remediation steps and knowledgebase articles for IT administrators.

Q: How often does CrowdStrike refresh its configuration files?

CrowdStrike usually modifies its configuration files multiple times daily.

Was the problem associated with the presence of null values in the configuration file?

B: CrowdStrike made it clear that the problem was not due to null bytes in the problematic channel file or any other channel file.

For additional details on this subject, please check out TechBest.

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