News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs. Below are snippets of all the media releases we received from Nov 27 till the end of the week. This article updates throughout the week.

Sophos Cybersecurity Challenges Report

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 27: Sophos, a leading global cybersecurity service provider, has released its Active Adversary Report, revealing significant gaps in telemetry logs in nearly 42 per cent of the attack cases studied.
The report, covering Sophos’ analysis of Incident Response (IR) cases from January 2022 to the first half of 2023, emphasizes that cybercriminals often disabled or wiped out telemetry, hindering defenders’ ability to respond effectively.
The study found that missing telemetry reduces visibility into organizations’ networks, especially with the decline in attacker dwell time.
Shorter dwell times demand quicker responses to incidents, and incomplete logging adds time to remediations that organizations cannot afford.
The report classifies ransomware attacks into “fast” (dwell time ≤ 5 days) and “slow” (dwell time > 5 days), highlighting the need for rapid response.
While attack techniques did not vary significantly between fast and slow attacks, the lack of telemetry posed challenges for fast response times, leading to increased destruction.
John Shier, field CTO at Sophos, emphasizes the importance of complete and accurate logging, urging organizations to increase friction in their defences to delay each stage of an attack.
The report, based on 232 Sophos IR cases, offers actionable intelligence for security practitioners to enhance their defensive strategies.
For more insights into attacker behaviours and techniques, refer to the Active Adversary Report on Sophos.com.

Revolutionary Self-Help App

Sydney, Nov 27: Former jail-break prisoner Danny Shannon launched the revolutionary app “Encapsulator” on Google Play and the App Store.
This transformative self-improvement tool blends technology with accountability, providing a safe platform for users to capture and journal their thoughts and progress.
Founded by Shannon, who turned his life around after 17 years of struggles, Encapsulator aims to revolutionize the self-help industry and empower individuals facing challenges.
Already gaining widespread recognition, the app’s unique approach combines video journaling with on-screen prompts, offering a modern solution for personal growth and accountability.

Call for Overhaul in Psychedelic Medicine Regulations

Sydney, Nov 27: A group of Australian medical practitioners advocating for the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) urgently seeks a comprehensive review of current regulations, citing them as inadequate.
Following TGA changes allowing psilocybin and MDMA prescription for mental health conditions, the group, AMAPP, criticizes the impracticality of existing rules.
AMAPP proposes collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop fairer guidelines for equitable patient access and improved treatment practices.
The current regulatory system, they argue, hinders progress in the promising field of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, demanding immediate change

RoboBlitz 2023 Triumphs!

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 28: Jazro Robotic Academy (JAZRO) celebrates the success of RoboBlitz 2023, a record-breaking robotic soccer competition with over a thousand participants.
The event aimed to promote STEM awareness and concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony officiated by Yang Berhormat Puan Teresa Kok Suh Sim.
Winners walked away with a total cash prize of RM8,800 sponsored by Pearl Point Shopping Mall, solidifying RoboBlitz 2023 as a significant achievement in the Malaysia Book of Records.

Genomics’ Cell Therapy Surge

Petaling Jaya, Nov 28: Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad (MGRC) announced a positive quarter-on-quarter revenue increase of RM2.27 million, fueled by a focus on cell therapies.
The shift, constituting 78 per cent of total revenue, led to a year-over-year decrease but showcased the Group’s commitment to enhancing cell therapy offerings.
Despite a current quarter loss before tax (LBT) of RM1.49 million, significantly narrowed from the previous quarter, the Group remains optimistic.
Strategic efforts include seeking partnerships, expanding into new markets, and developing FMCG products.
Malaysian Genomics continues to strengthen its market presence and deliver advanced healthcare solutions.

Samaiden’s Robust Q1 FY2024 Performance and Strategic Wins

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 28: Renewable energy leader Samaiden reports a strong Q1 FY2024 with a revenue of RM46.16 million (13.22 per cent YoY increase) and a PBT of RM3.95 million (20.43 per cent YoY increase).
Notable wins in the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP) include a 13.42 MWac solo award and a 29.90 MWac consortium win, highlighting Samaiden’s leadership in sustainable energy.
Shareholders unanimously endorse all resolutions at the Annual General Meeting, reflecting confidence in the company’s strategic direction.
Kenanga Investment Bank revises Samaiden’s target price to RM1.80, underscoring positive market sentiment.
With a substantial order book of RM350.7 million, Samaiden anticipates a positive impact on revenue and profit over the next three years.
The company remains a key player in advancing Malaysia’s renewable energy initiatives.

Slash Bills, Boost Savings

Sydney, Nov 29: Struggling Aussie households facing financial strain post the November cash rate hike could reclaim nearly $11,352 with simple changes, according to Compare Club.
The personal finance marketplace’s review suggests potential savings by revisiting insurance policies, home loans, energy bills, car loans, and credit cards.
The average savings, up from $7,388 six months ago, illustrate the value of reviewing significant bills. Home loans lead with average savings of $4,680, while credit cards could save $843, car loans $3,566, health insurance $421.46, energy $346, and life insurance (for non-smokers) $1,643.
Compare Club recommends a financial health check amid the competitive market.

Riff Raff Baby Fined

Sydney, Nov 29: Online retailer Riff Raff Baby Pty Ltd faced penalties of $132,000 after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued eight infringement notices for allegedly making false statements about the safety of its comforter toys for sleep from birth.
Riff Raff admitted that its advertisements likely breached Australian Consumer Law and has provided a court-enforceable undertaking.
The ads suggested the sleep aid toys were safe for unsupervised sleep with infants under seven months, contrary to health advice.
ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe emphasized the risks and urged consumers to avoid using the products in proximity to unsupervised infants.

Qatar Airways Expands Winter Flight Options

Doha, Nov 29: Qatar Airways is gearing up for the winter holiday season by increasing flight frequencies to popular destinations. Passengers can now enjoy enhanced connectivity to Amsterdam, Bangkok, Barcelona, Belgrade, and Miami via Hamad International Airport.
The expanded options include:

• Bangkok: Increased from 35 to 38 weekly flights starting December 15, 2023.
• Amsterdam: Increased from 10 to 14 weekly flights starting December 16, 2023.
• Belgrade: Increased from 7 to 10 weekly flights starting December 23, 2023.
• Barcelona: Increased from 18 to 21 weekly flights starting January 01, 2024.
• Miami: Increased from 7 to 10 weekly flights starting January 13, 2024.

Qatar Airways remains committed to providing a seamless travel experience, connecting passengers to over 170 destinations worldwide through Hamad International Airport. As winter approaches, travellers are encouraged to explore cities like Amsterdam, Miami, Bangkok, Barcelona, and Belgrade, unlocking a world of possibilities.