News
Palo Alto Networks Delivers What’s Next in Security at Ignite ’21

Palo Alto Networks has showcased industry-first security innovations to help organizations protect a rapidly expanding attack surface. Before an audience of 26,000 at its Ignite ’21 conference, the cybersecurity leader unveiled breakthrough solutions, including Prisma Cloud 3.0, the first integrated platform to secure the full application lifecycle, and Next-Generation CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker), which raises the bar in SaaS security as organizations tackle exploding SaaS usage with hybrid work. Palo Alto Networks also announced the Cortex® eXtended Managed Detection and Response (XMDR) Partner Specialization, combining its pioneering Cortex XDR 3.0 solution with managed services offerings from more than 15 partners — to empower customers’ security operations.
“With the en masse shift to a hybrid workforce and rapid adoption of the cloud, the way work gets done has changed. SaaS collaboration apps are becoming key to a productive hybrid workforce, but SaaS security has not caught up. With the introduction of our Next-Generation CASB, we’re the first to recognize and embrace this shift — and solve for it,” said Lee Klarich, chief product officer, Palo Alto Networks. “At the same time, as applications are increasingly being developed and deployed in the cloud, Prisma Cloud 3.0 now secures the full cloud application lifecycle. Prisma Cloud continues to push the industry forward with this next evolution of cloud security.”
Palo Alto Networks Ignite ’21 announcements include:
Prisma Cloud 3.0: Integrated Platform Secures the Full Application Lifecycle
The industry’s first integrated platform to shift security left, Prisma Cloud 3.0 significantly improves organizations’ entire cloud security posture by reducing security risk at runtime. With a customer base that already includes 77% of the Fortune 100, the most complete Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) now also offers organizations cloud code security to embed critical protections in the development process, agentless security to complement existing agent-based protection and Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM) for Microsoft Azure.
Next-Generation CASB Helps Organizations Secure Soaring SaaS Usage
Announced today, Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation CASB raises the bar in SaaS security to accommodate today’s hybrid workplace. Developed to secure cloud applications, especially modern collaboration tools, that legacy SaaS security fails to protect, Next-Generation CASB helps organizations enable safe SaaS adoption by automatically securing new applications, accurately protecting sensitive data in real-time, and stopping known and unknown threats with best-in-class threat detection and prevention.
WildFire Advanced Malware Analysis: Available as a Standalone API for the New Digital Era
To meet the security needs of organizations interacting with customers in new ways online, Palo Alto Networks announced the availability of its WildFire cloud-based threat analysis as a standalone product. One of the largest advanced malware analysis solutions in the world, powered by crowd-sourced intelligence from over 80,000 customers, this new availability allows organizations to incorporate WildFire’s capabilities across a diverse set of use cases, including securing the online portals where end-users increasingly interact with businesses and governments — preventing them from becoming malware delivery vectors.
eXtended Managed Detection and Response (XMDR) Specialization Unleashes Cortex XDR to More Customers
Building on demand for Palo Alto Networks pioneering Cortex XDR 3.0 extended detection and response solution, the new Cortex XMDR Specialization enables MSSP partners to combine Cortex XDR with their managed service offerings — helping customers streamline security operations center (SOC) operations and quickly mitigate cyberthreats. With certification and training now tightly integrated with the new benefits of Cortex XDR 3.0, more than 15 organizations have already achieved Cortex XMDR Specialization status — including PwC, Orange Cyberdefense, CRITICALSTART, and Trustwave.
Unit 42 Doubles Down on Cloud Incident Response
Following a 188% increase in cloud cases over the past three years, Unit 42 announced it is doubling down on its Cloud Incident Response practice to provide an optimized approach for each stage of the cloud incident lifecycle, resulting in faster recovery for impacted organizations. Specialized cloud digital forensics and incident response teams made up of cloud experts use cutting-edge cloud security products like Cortex XDR, Cortex Xpanse, Prisma Cloud, and new DFIR methods designed for dynamic cloud incidents to quickly identify attack vectors, the extent of access, and at-risk data.
News
Axis Intros Next-Gen AI-Powered Dome Cameras

Axis Communications has launched four new, robust AI-powered cameras engineered to provide outstanding image quality and forensic detail, even in the harshest weather and environments. These cameras, available in up to 8 MP resolution, are built on the advanced ARTPEC-9 chip, offering accelerated performance for powerful analytics directly at the edge.
The lineup includes:
- AXIS Q3546-LVE (4 MP) and AXIS Q3556-LVE (4 MP): These models offer a choice of a wide 10 mm lens or a telephoto 51 mm lens. The AXIS Q3556-LVE also comes with an acoustic sensor and AXIS Audio Analytics preinstalled, notifying users of relevant sounds like screams, shouts, or changes in sound levels, even without visual cues.
- AXIS Q3548-LVE (8 MP) and AXIS Q3558-LVE (8 MP): The AXIS Q3558-LVE also features the acoustic sensor with AXIS Audio Analytics.
Thanks to the ARTPEC-9 processor, these AI-powered dome cameras deliver enhanced performance, making it possible to run sophisticated analytics applications directly on the device. They come with AXIS Object Analytics preinstalled, enabling detection, classification, tracking, and counting of humans, vehicles, and vehicle types. Additionally, AXIS Image Health Analytics is preinstalled, alerting users if the image is blocked, degraded, underexposed, or redirected.
Key features include:
- Outstanding image quality up to 8 MP
- Next-generation AI-powered analytics
- Variants with diverse lens choices
- Models with AXIS Audio Analytics preinstalled
- Built-in cybersecurity with Axis Edge Vault
Constructed from high-grade aluminum, these durable cameras boast IK10, IP66, IP6K9K, and NEMA 4X ratings, making them ideal for outdoor use and highly resistant to vandalism and impact. They operate in extreme temperatures, ranging from -55°C to 55°C (-122°F to 131°F). For power redundancy, they can be powered via DC or PoE. Furthermore, Axis Edge Vault, a hardware-based cybersecurity platform, safeguards the device and offers FIPS 140-3 Level 3 certified secure key storage and operations.
Cyber Security
ESET Research Uncovers Iran-Aligned BladedFeline Spying on Iraqi, Kurdish Officials

The Iran-aligned threat group BladedFeline has targeted Kurdish and Iraqi government officials in a recent cyber-espionage campaign, according to ESET researchers. The group deployed a range of malicious tools discovered within the compromised systems, indicating a continued effort to maintain and expand access to high-ranking officials and government organizations in Iraq and the Kurdish region. The latest campaign highlights BladedFeline’s evolving capabilities, featuring two tunneling tools (Laret and Pinar), various supplementary tools, and, most notably, a custom backdoor Whisper and a malicious Internet Information Services (IIS) module PrimeCache, both identified and named by ESET.
Whisper logs into a compromised webmail account on a Microsoft Exchange server and uses it to communicate with the attackers via email attachments. PrimeCache also serves as a backdoor: it is a malicious IIS module. PrimeCache also bears similarities to the RDAT backdoor used by OilRig Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group.
Based on these code similarities, as well as on further evidence presented in this blogpost, ESET assesses that BladedFeline is a very likely subgroup of OilRig, an Iran-aligned APT group going after governments and businesses in the Middle East. The initial implants in the latest campaign can be traced back to OilRig. These tools reflect the group’s strategic focus on persistence and stealth within targeted networks.
BladedFeline has consistently worked to maintain illicit access to Kurdish diplomatic officials, while simultaneously exploiting a regional telecommunications provider in Uzbekistan, and developing and maintaining access to officials in the government of Iraq.
ESET Research assesses that BladedFeline is targeting the Kurdish and Iraqi governments for cyberespionage purposes, with an eye toward maintaining strategic access to the computers of high-ranking officials in both governmental entities. The Kurdish diplomatic relationship with Western nations, coupled with the oil reserves in the Kurdistan region, makes it an enticing target for Iran-aligned threat actors to spy on and potentially manipulate. In Iraq, these threat actors are most probably trying to counter the influence of Western governments following the US invasion and occupation of the country.
In 2023, ESET Research discovered that BladedFeline targeted Kurdish diplomatic officials with the Shahmaran backdoor, and previously reported on its activities in ESET APT Activity reports. The group has been active since at least 2017, when it compromised officials within the Kurdistan Regional Government, but is not the only subgroup of OilRig that ESET Research is monitoring. ESET has been tracking Lyceum, also known as HEXANE or Storm-0133, as another OilRig subgroup. Lyceum focuses on targeting various Israeli organizations, including governmental and local governmental entities and organizations in healthcare.
ESET expects that BladedFeline will persist with implant development in order to maintain and expand access within its compromised victim set for cyberespionage.
News
Genetec Enhances Security Center SaaS with Robust New Features

Genetec has announced new updates to Security Center SaaS, the company’s enterprise-grade Security-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution. Since its launch, Genetec has delivered new features to the platform every 12 days. This ensures Genetec provides a flexible, open, SaaS solution that is continuously extended to meet the needs of any modern security operation.
Security Center SaaS combines video surveillance, access control, forensic search, intrusion monitoring, automation, and other advanced capabilities in a single solution. Designed to run fully in the cloud or in a hybrid deployment that can include on-premises systems, it gives organizations the freedom to choose how they manage and scale their security infrastructure. The latest updates expand support for direct-to-cloud cameras, improve edge recording capabilities, and introduce new third-party analytics integrations, reinforcing the platform’s pace of innovation and commitment to customer choice.
Unlike proprietary SaaS solutions, Security Center SaaS enables security professionals and channel partners to choose the hardware that best fits their needs, without being locked into a single vendor. Its open architecture supports a broad range of devices from Axis, Bosch, and i-PRO, including direct-to-cloud, PTZ, and fisheye cameras (now with automatic de-warping). Organizations can connect their current non-cloud-ready access control devices, cameras, and intrusion panels using Genetec appliances, avoiding the costs of replacing existing hardware.
This flexibility further extends to deployment models. Security Center SaaS gives organizations full control over their cloud migration, supporting cloud-native, on-premises infrastructure, or a combination of both. Video can be stored at the edge or in the cloud, depending on bandwidth, policy, or operational needs, with centralized management through web and mobile apps. New edge recording via SD cards enables local storage on the camera, while recording profiles make it easy to define how and where video is captured across multiple devices.
With built-in support for WebRTC, the platform also enables peer-to-peer video streaming directly from cameras to a web interface. This reduces video call-up time and bandwidth usage, making it ideal for live monitoring, spot checks, and large-scale deployments, without requiring additional configuration.
Security Center SaaS simplifies the management of multi-site environments across sectors such as retail, education, corporate campuses, banking, healthcare, and city infrastructure. Operators can manage systems from a central Security Operations Center (SOC) or remotely via web and mobile apps. Real-time alerts enable teams to respond quickly and consistently, while its open architecture makes it easy to integrate partner technology that further enhances these capabilities. For example, new firearm detection analytics from Bosch can trigger immediate alerts and initiate event-to-action workflows the moment a weapon is identified, helping security teams act decisively when it matters most.
“Genetec is redefining what SaaS means for physical security. It’s not just moving to the cloud; it’s about giving customers and integrators the flexibility to build, scale, and evolve their systems,” said Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering at Genetec Inc. “Security Center SaaS stands apart by unifying physical security functions on a single platform, continuously adding new cloud-native capabilities while supporting the hardware and deployment models organizations already rely on.”
-
Cyber Security7 days ago
Beyond Blocklists: How Behavioural Intent Analysis Can Safeguard Middle East Businesses from Rising AI-Driven Bot Threats
-
Cyber Security7 days ago
Honeywell Report Reveals 46% Quarterly Spike in Industrial Ransomware
-
Cyber Security1 week ago
Labubu Doll Craze: How Cybercriminals Are Exploiting the Hype
-
Cyber Security7 days ago
Sophos Boosts Firewall with New Protection and Incident Response Features
-
Cloud4 days ago
SentinelOne Simplifies Secure Cloud Migrations on AWS
-
News4 days ago
Versa and OPSWAT Partner to Strengthen SASE Security with Real-Time Device Defense
-
Cyber Security14 hours ago
ESET Research Uncovers Iran-Aligned BladedFeline Spying on Iraqi, Kurdish Officials
-
News14 hours ago
Axis Intros Next-Gen AI-Powered Dome Cameras