This Week in Cybersecurity: AI’s Double-Edge, Ransomware Takedowns, and Super Urgent Patching!

Ransomware takedowns, increasing AI threats, and another patching crises, all in a single week. Cybersecurity continues to move at the speed of light. There is a glimore of hope with a ransomware gan being took down by the U.S. DOJ. Here’s your roundup of the key developments this week and what you can do to stay ahead.

1. Generative AI in Cybersecurity: Friend or Foe?

The news:

Generative AI is being leveraged by both defenders and attackers. Security teams are automating detection, incident response, and threat hunting, but adversaries are using AI to craft hyper-targeted phishing, create polymorphic malware, and even bypass basic detection with ease.

Why it matters:

The speed and precision AI brings to both sides of the fight is compressing the window for detection and response. Businesses have a hard enough time keeping up with cybersecurity as it is with the AI war is just beginning.

Actions:

• Implement AI-assisted security tool sets within your security operations center (SOC) as soon as possible.

• Enhance phishing simulation training to include AI crafted simulations as well has hands on security awareness training and education.

• Monitor AI tool usage in your environment while setting clear AI governance policies.

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2. Cybercrime Disrupted: DOJ Takes Down BlackSuit Ransomware Group

The news:

U.S. authorities dismantled the BlackSuit ransomware group, seizing ~$1M in crypto and halting further attacks past the 100+ victims across many business verticals since 2022.

Why it matters:

While law enforcement victories disrupt operations, ransomware groups often rebrand and typically return stronger and sometimes within a few weeks.

Actions:

• Take a fresh look at your backup and recovery plans and assume compromise is still possible.

• Join industry threat sharing groups (ISACs) to get early warnings.

• Ensure threat intelligence is being performed specific to your company.

• Ensure incident response plans are tested and forensic retainer contracts are pre-negotiated and in place before an attack.

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3. Critical Patch Alerts: Qualcomm GPU & Microsoft Exchange

The news:

• Google patched three active-exploitation flaws in Qualcomm Adreno GPU drivers affecting Android devices.

• Nearly 29,000 Microsoft Exchange servers remain unpatched against CVE-2025-53786, which allows privilege escalation in hybrid environments.

Why it matters:

Unpatched systems remain one of the top initial attack vector in breaches. Active exploits mean that patching can't be delayed.

Actions:

• Enforce patching critical vulnerabilities within 72 hours, especially when CVSS score of higher than 8.9.

• Maintain an asset inventory with up to the minute patching status.

• Subscribe to vendor and CISA to receive alerts for zero-day vulnerabilities.

News Sources:

4. Credential Theft Surges 160% in 2025

The news:

Credential theft now is reported to account for 20% of breaches, fueled by AI-powered phishing and malware. In July alone, 14,000 stolen credentials were reported.

Why it matters:

Once stolen, credentials are traded, reused, and leveraged in lateral movement attacks.

Actions:

• Enforce phish safe multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere with no exceptions.

• Implement password-less authentication for critical systems.

• Use dark web monitoring to detect stolen credentials early.

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5. Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Flaws Discovered

The news:

Critical vulnerabilities were found in ZTNA products from Check Point, Zscaler, and Netskope potentially undermining environments assumed to be “secure by design.”

Why it matters:

Even the frameworks meant to reduce trust can have exploitable weaknesses.

Actions:

• Regularly pen-test your ZTNA and SASE solutions not relying on vendor assurances.

• Apply critical vendor patches immediately when disclosed.

• Layer network segmentation and EDR to detect lateral movement.

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6. The Big Picture

These news stories highlight the reality that cybersecurity is a constantly moving target. AI is transforming threats and defenses, ransomware groups adapt, and “secure” products can have serious flaws.

Actions:

• Review your cyber resilience plan quarterly as threats evolve too quickly for annual updates.

• Treat patching and identity security as top operational priorities.

• Invest in security awareness and tabletop exercises to prepare for evolving attack vectors.

Companies without a battle tested Chief Information Security Officer should consider hiring a full or part time qualified person to keep up with cybersecurity. Also If you need any assistance to take cybersecurity actions, consider engaging Armes Vantage Cybersecurity firm.

Author: Glen E. Armes