Sydney-based real estate firm The Property Business has been hit by the Kairos ransomware group, with 164GB of data reportedly stolen. The attack highlights the growing threat to Australia's property sector, which holds sensitive client financial and personal information.
The U.S. has charged Ukrainian national Volodymyr Tymoshchuk for his role in the LockerGoga, MegaCortex, and Nefilim ransomware attacks that targeted over 250 American companies and hundreds more worldwide. The State Department is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
Australia has gone all-in on quantum, betting billions on PsiQuantum’s Brisbane facility while building alliances and spin-outs from Sydney to Chicago. With defence contracts, investor momentum and Five Eyes strategy at stake, Canberra’s gamble is to lead, not follow, in the quantum race.
Google's new Tokyo cyberdefense hub aims to boost cybersecurity in Asia-Pacific, addressing rising threats from China. The hub fosters collaboration between governments, tech firms, and academia to strengthen regional digital defenses.
Google has launched its first Asia-Pacific cyberdefense hub in Tokyo, a significant step to enhance cyberdefense measures in response to the growing cyber threats, particularly from China.
Situated in Google's Roppongi office, this hub aims to be a nexus for research, information exchange, and the development of cyberdefense expertise, fostering cooperation among government bodies, the private sector, and academic institutions in Japan and the wider region.
This initiative builds on Google's previous endeavours to promote cybersecurity awareness and practices.
For instance, as part of its ongoing efforts, Google, through Saikat Mitra's announcement, has been actively involved in various cybersecurity programs across Singapore, such as supporting Project PRAISE.
This project, in collaboration with RSVP Singapore: The Organisation of Senior Volunteers and the Singapore Police Force aims to empower senior citizens with cybersecurity knowledge.
Furthermore, in India, Google launched the DigiKavach program, focusing on combating online financial fraud by analysing scammer tactics and fostering partnerships with industry specialists, including the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment.
This development is set against a broader narrative of heightened vigilance among Western allied nations in the Pacific, confronting an uptick in geo politically motivated cyberattacks.
The establishment of the Tokyo cyberdefense hub underscores an accelerating trend among the Five Eyes alliance countries to forge cross-collaborative infrastructure investments.
Major hyperscale corporations such as Google and Microsoft are at the forefront of this movement, leading the charge in data centre development and the advancement of security practices.
This collective endeavour is driven by a shared vision to augment the security posture of nations throughout the Asian region and the Pacific, as well as the broader Global South, which anticipates significant improvements in threat management.
According to Junichiro Uchiyama, the interim lead of the new centre, the hub's mission extends beyond local defence, aiming to "enhance Japan's cybersecurity infrastructure" through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and the fostering of international partnerships.
This effort is critical as Washington highlights China's position as a formidable cyber espionage threat, stressing the need for a unified response to counteract sophisticated hacking entities like Lockbit, known for their involvement in significant cyber incidents such as the DP World attack.
FBI Director Christopher Wray and Professor Ciaran Martin, former head of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre, have both emphasised the scale of the challenge posed by state-sponsored and criminal hacking operations.
Their insights call for a concerted global strategy to counter these threats, highlighting the resilience of cybercriminal networks and the importance of dismantling them through international cooperation.
As part of its commitment to this global initiative, Google plans to invite engineers from across the region, including India, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asian nations, to participate in research aimed at combating cyberattacks.
This collaborative approach, where Google has pledged not to seek compensation, reflects a significant investment in the collective security and resilience of the digital ecosystem.
Heather Adkins is a founding member of the Google Security Team and cybersecurity expert focused on breach recovery,Heather Adkins, a seasoned cyberdefense vice president at Google, emphasises the readiness of Japan's research community to contribute to these joint efforts, underlining the strategic importance of the Tokyo hub as a beacon of regional and global cyberdefense collaboration.
These efforts underscore Google's commitment to enhancing cyber resilience not just in Japan but across the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to a safer digital environment for all stakeholders.
Microsoft 365 remains healthcare’s weakest security link, with breaches rising from 43% in 2024 to 52% in mid-2025. Patient data exposure, soaring costs, and AI-driven cyberattacks in Australia highlight urgent gaps. Policymakers face mounting pressure to safeguard data sovereignty.
Cyber incidents in the Asia-Pacific have surged 29% in the past year, with Australia facing major breaches at the University of Western Australia and Qantas. Manufacturing is the top target, deepfakes are on the rise, and experts warn the region is in a digital arms race demanding urgent action.
ASIO’s $12.5 billion espionage warning is more than a tally of stolen secrets. It reveals a national digital crisis. With 24 major spy operations disrupted and identity systems exposed, Australia’s critical infrastructure and social services face a growing risk of collapse from unseen cyber threats.
Singapore is responding to a cyberattack by UNC3886, a China-linked espionage group targeting critical infrastructure. Minister K. Shanmugam confirmed the threat is serious and ongoing, as the CSA leads investigations to protect national services from long-term disruption.
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