Please enjoy our newest podcast, the weekly Security Sprint, on Spotify, Apple, as well as other locations accessible via the Spotify for Podcasters link or almost anywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts. You can view here.
In this week’s Security Sprint, Dave and Andy covered the following topics:
Opening:
- Cyber Insights 2026: Information Sharing (SecurityWeek, 16 Jan 2026)
- ICYMI: Homeland Republicans underscore importance of strong public-private sector partnerships to deter cyber threats — House Homeland Security Committee (Majority) | Jan 17, 2026
Main Topics:
Pro-Russia hacktivist activity continues to target UK organisations & NCSC warns of hacktivist groups disrupting UK online services (UK National Cyber Security Centre, Jan 2026). The NCSC reports sustained, low-sophistication but high-volume hacktivist campaigns—primarily DDoS and website defacements—linked to pro-Russia narratives and opportunistic targeting of UK public- and private-sector organizations. While technically unsophisticated, the activity is persistent, media-aware, and designed to generate disruption, reputational harm, and psychological impact rather than deep network compromise. The NCSC emphasizes preparedness measures including DDoS resilience, clear incident communications, and executive awareness that “noise” activity can still impose real operational cost.
- Russia-linked APT28 targets energy and defense groups tied to NATO
- UAT-8837 targets critical infrastructure sectors in North America
- A Day Without ICS: The real impact of ICS/OT security threats
Ransomware
- Worldwide ransomware roundup: 2025 end-of-year report
- Global ransomware attacks rose 32% in 2025, as manufacturers emerged as top target
- 2025 Shattered Records: Key takeaways from the GRIT 2026 Ransomware & Cyber Threat Report
- DeadLock Ransomware: Smart Contracts for Malicious Purposes
Domestic Operations: Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JIATF-CC) established & US Northern Command establishes JTF-GOLD
Quick Hits:
- (TLP:CLEAR) Assessing Terrorism Trends on the Horizon in 2026 — WaterISAC — Jan 15, 2026
- UK NCSC: Designing safer links: secure connectivity for operational technology
- NCSC UK: Secure connectivity principles for OT (collection)
- FBI: Secure Connectivity Principles for Operational Technology (OT) (PDF)
- ACSC (Australia): New publication for small businesses managing cyber risks from AI
- Artificial intelligence for small business: Managing cyber security risks
- Developing your IT recovery plan (Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Jan 2026)
- Improving cyber security resilience through emergency preparedness planning (Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Jan 2026)
- Developing your incident response plan (Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Jan 2026)
- Developing your business continuity plan (Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Jan 2026)
Read more about Gate 15’s full podcast menu at our Podcast page. You can subscribe and enjoy all the Gate 15 Podcasts on Spotify for Podcasters, Apple, Spotify, as well as other locations accessible from the Spotify for Podcasters link. Week-to-week, you can hear and learn more about our all-hazards threats, risks, mitigation and other issues impacting homeland security risk management from our team as well as our regular and special guests. The full podcast menu includes:
- The Security Sprint is our weekly rundown of the week’s notable all-hazards security news, risks and threats and some of the key focus areas for organizations to consider behind the headlines. Gate 15 team members discuss physical security, cybersecurity, natural hazards, health threats and other issues across our environment.
- Nerd Out! Security Panel Discussion, moderated by Dave Pounder, focuses on physical security topics including terrorism, extremism, hostile events, and other pertinent topics.
- The Gate 15 Interview, is a monthly interview between Gate 15’s founder and Managing Director, Andy Jabbour and guests from throughout the homeland security risk management community addressing a wide range of all-hazards topics and issues.
- The Cybersecurity Evangelist, with Jennifer Lyn Walker, is a cybersecurity-focused discussion with Jen and invited guests. This is presently a Gate 15 special podcast and occasionally is updated on our Gate 15 podcast channel.
- Venue Security, The IAVM Podcast Series was a 2024 limited series podcast as Gate 15’s founder and Managing Director, Andy Jabbour hosted a series of short interviews with venue safety and security experts from the International Association of Venue Managers’ (IAVM) Venue Safety and Security Committee (VSSC) and other special guests from the IAVM community.
- The Risk Roundtable, was a monthly discussion among our team and occasional guests exploring the all-hazards threats and risks impacting the United States and internationally. This was suspended in September 2023.
We hope you’ll subscribe, listen and share your ideas and other feedback! Reach out to us on Bluesky, LinkedIn, via email at Gate15@gate15.global.
