Iceland has officially joined a new Nordic-Baltic cybersecurity consortium (NBCC) alongside six other nations. This collaboration, set for implementation between 2026 and 2029 with a 14 million euro budget, aims to strengthen regional defenses against digital threats through shared analytical systems, data exchange, and the development of AI-based solutions, enhancing collective cyber resilience.
South African retailers are facing an unprecedented surge in cybercrime and fraud in 2025, leading to substantial financial losses, with data breaches costing up to R49 million. The rise of AI-powered attacks and e-commerce fraud has heightened consumer concern over data protection, making robust cybersecurity a critical imperative for businesses.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin chaired a strategic session on December 17, 2025, to address cyber fraud in the Russian Federation. The session highlighted a notable decrease in registered digital crimes since July 2025, with a 9.5% decline over the past ten months compared to 2024, and a nearly 25% drop in October 2025. This positive trend is attributed to a series of comprehensive legislative and technological measures implemented by the government.
France's Interior Ministry confirmed a cyberattack on its email servers, leading to unauthorized access of sensitive files, including criminal records. Minister Laurent Nunez described the incident as 'very serious,' with investigations ongoing and one arrest made.
The Government of India initiated a National Cyber Safety Awareness Campaign on December 14, 2025, aimed at educating students across the nation on critical aspects of online safety, digital responsibility, and data protection. The comprehensive program will utilize workshops, digital modules, and awareness drives to foster a secure digital environment for young learners.
Norway's state auditor general, Riksrevisjonen, has released a 'strongly critical' report on the domestic intelligence agency PST and national preparedness. The audit, covering 2019-2024, cited significant weaknesses in resources, IT capabilities, and management by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, raising concerns about the country's ability to meet evolving threat levels.
India's Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against 30 individuals, including two Chinese nationals, in a massive ₹1000 crore cyber fraud case. The scam, known as the HPZ Token Investment Fraud, allegedly siphoned funds from Indian investors through fake cryptocurrency mining apps and other fraudulent schemes during the COVID-19 lockdown. The accused exploited payment aggregation systems and shell companies to launder money overseas.
Portugal has updated its cybercrime law, introducing exemptions for security researchers and ethical hackers. Published on December 4, the amendment creates a legal safe harbor for good-faith vulnerability discovery under strict conditions, aiming to bolster national cybersecurity.
US authorities have announced the shutdown of multiple sophisticated networks linked to China, accused of illegally smuggling cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence technology, including Nvidia GPUs, out of the United States. Operations like 'Operation Gatekeeper' have led to arrests and the seizure of over $50 million in technology and cash, highlighting a concerted effort to protect national security.
NATO successfully concluded its largest annual cyber defense exercise, Cyber Coalition 2025, in Tallinn, Estonia. The week-long event, involving over 1,300 participants from 29 NATO Allies and 7 partner nations, focused on defending critical infrastructure against complex cyberattacks and enhancing international cooperation.
CISA, NSA, and the Cyber Centre have issued a joint warning about BRICKSTORM, a sophisticated backdoor malware attributed to China-sponsored actors. The malware targets critical U.S. infrastructure, particularly government and IT sectors, for long-term persistence and potential disruption, urging immediate mitigation actions.
India's Supreme Court has mandated a nationwide CBI investigation into the 'Digital Arrest' scam, which has defrauded victims of ₹3,000 crore. The court issued comprehensive guidelines for states, banks, and agencies, including using AI to detect fraud and probing bankers involved in mule accounts.
The Indian Department of Telecommunications has mandated the pre-installation of its Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all new mobile phones sold in India, effective November 28, 2025. The move aims to combat cyber fraud, phone theft, and misuse of telecom services, requiring manufacturers to comply within 90 days.
Monaco's authorities have issued a public warning following the discovery of fraudulent QR code stickers on 19 of the Principality's 86 parking meters. These fake codes redirected users to malicious websites, aiming to steal banking data. Officials emphasize that QR codes are not a valid payment method for parking in Monaco.
A cyber attack identified on November 24th has impacted the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster City Council, and Hammersmith and Fulham. The incident has disrupted IT systems and services, including phone lines, prompting councils to activate emergency plans and involve the National Cyber Security Centre and Metropolitan Police. Data compromise is under investigation.
Liemobil, Liechtenstein's public transport operator, was hit by a targeted cyberattack on Friday, November 21, 2025. The incident led to the circulation of fraudulent emails urging recipients to click on malicious links, prompting an immediate warning from the company.
Qatar convened the first Arab Cyber Exercise in Doha on November 22, 2025, bringing together 21 Arab nations and the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers. The event aimed to strengthen joint cybersecurity cooperation, enhance regional readiness, and foster collective action against evolving digital threats.
Lithuania's Ministry of National Defence announced a comprehensive plan to establish 44 local cybersecurity operations centers across the country. Led by the National Cyber Security Centre, this initiative aims to bolster the nation's digital defense network against escalating cyber threats, enhancing public-sector cyber resilience nationwide within three and a half years.
Digital Liechtenstein, in collaboration with the University of Liechtenstein, is holding its third Cybersecurity Conference on November 17, 2025. The event in Vaduz will gather experts from business, science, and politics to discuss pressing cybersecurity challenges, trends, and solutions, emphasizing their significance for the nation's economy.
France and Nigeria have officially launched a technical cooperation project in Lagos to strengthen Nigeria's data protection framework. The initiative, spearheaded by the French Treasury and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), leverages French expertise to enhance regulatory capacity and ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
