In this episode of the podcast, we cover significant developments in the tech world. The LockBit ransomware group has been dismantled by global law enforcement, ConnectWise responds to a security breach, Google introduces Gemini for Workspace, and Apple announces the PQ3 initiative to combat quantum computing threats.
Four things to know today
00:00 Global Law Enforcement Success: Lockbit Ransomware Group Dismantled
04:15 ConnectWise Takes Drastic Measures Amidst ScreenConnect Security Breach
06:35 Introducing Gemini for Workspace: Google's Answer to AI-Enhanced Business Applications
08:04 Apple's PQ3 Initiative: A Proactive Move Against Quantum Computing Threats
Supported by:
https://huntress.com/mspradio/
💼 All Our Sponsors
Support the vendors who support the show:
👉 https://businessof.tech/sponsors/
🚀 Join Business of Tech Plus
Get exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.
👉 https://businessof.tech/plus
🎧 Subscribe to the Business of Tech
Want the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?
📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe
📰 Story Links & Sources
Looking for the links from today’s stories?
Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:
🎙 Want to Be a Guest?
Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:
💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech
🔗 Follow Business of Tech
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079
YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftech
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
[00:00:00] It's Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, and I'm Dave Sobel.
[00:00:06] Four things to know today.
[00:00:08] A global law enforcement success, the LockBear ransomware group dismantled.
[00:00:13] ConnectWise takes drastic measures amidst a screen-connect security breach, introducing
[00:00:19] Gemini for workspace, Google's answer to AI-enh on the security front. Let's start with the good news. An international coalition of law enforcement agencies has taken down the Lockbit Ransomware Group, seizing their servers and arresting individuals in Poland and Ukraine.
[00:01:41] The group, responsible for over $120 million in ransomware payments, had been operating
[00:01:46] since 2019. Ivan Gervalovich Gontriev, aka Bastardlord, allegedly deployed lock bit against targets in the United States, Singapore, Taiwan, and Lebanon. Gontriev is also charged with three criminal counts arising from his alleged use of the Sognin Kibi, aka our evil ransomware variant, to encrypt data, exfiltrate victim information,
[00:03:03] and extort a ransom payment from a corporateinals about the international legal consequences of crime. Want to push back on ransomware? Collaborate with law enforcement. Now some news that's not so good. I mentioned the Connectwise Screen Connect patch on Tuesday's show.
[00:04:24] Connectwise has removed
[00:05:40] license restrictions so partners no longer under maintenance can upgrade to the latest a business-centric offering that brings the power of Gemini Ultra 1.0 to workspace apps. Gemini for Workspace offers advanced AI capabilities, including improved features in Docs, Sheets, and Slides. It also includes a standalone Gemini Chatbot experience and enterprise-grade data protections. The pricing for Gemini for Workspace starts at $20 per user
[00:07:01] per month for the business add-on and $quantum cryptography in preparation for the potential threat of quantum computers breaking current encryption standards. The new protocol, called PQ3, combines elliptic curve cryptography with post-quantum cryptography. I know your to-do list is endless, but put this one on it and push your vendors to do the same. With as many breaches and security concerns as I report in this show, it should be obvious that cybersecurity is not just about technology, but also the human expertise needed to interpret and respond to complex threats.
[00:09:42] Huntress is focused on elevating SM LinkedIn if you're listening to the podcast. I'll talk to you again tomorrow. The Business of Tech is written and produced by me, Dave Sobel, under ethics guidelines, posted at businessof.tech. If you like the content, please make sure to hit that like button and follow or subscribe.
[00:11:02] It's free and easy, and the best way to support the show and help us grow.