DarkMatter

Middle East
Gulf nations seek joint response to Iranian hackers

In the face of mounting cyberattacks, the Gulf Cooperation Council wants to put on a united front, even as the current regional context jeopardises Israel's involvement.

UAE
Ali Al Mannaei, from Darkmatter cyber business developer to security provider

The architect of Abu Dhabi's sovereign cyber sector, Ali Al Mannaei, continues to keep a low profile while doing business. Still very much involved in Emirati defence networks, he is now consolidating all his security operations within his Al Hamra Group.

France, UAE
Katim looks to Paris, hiring ex-Ercom Didier Pagnoux

Didier Pagnoux, who ran French Ercom from 2007 to 2012 and launched its cybersecurity and interception departments, is taking over as CEO of semi-public Emirati firm Katim as it looks to carve out a place in the country's ever-changing cyber landscape.

Russia, UAE
UAE cyber-offensive firm Beacon Red's Russian hackers disillusioned

Less that six months after their arrival in the emirates, some of the Russian cyber engineers hired by the UAE's part public cyber-offensive company Beacon Red are unhappy about pay and are looking to leave.

UAE
CPX struggles to spearhead UAE's cyberoffensive operations

Supposed to be the UAE's new cyberintelligence flagship, CPX is struggling to make its mark and hold on to contracts because of technological gaps at a time when other parapublic cyber firms are gaining ground.

The Tech Times
ODNI pores over cyberintel industry, Fabian Kaiser moves to ISTARI Global, Sacha Bailly heads Dataminr's defence sales and Belgian spyware

From SIGINT to GEOINT and OSINT and a dose of cyber, each Thursday, we report on events both big and small that matter in the community of technical intelligence providers.

WashingtonIs the US clamping down on the cyber intelligence industry?

MunichFabian Kaiser takes over ISTARI Global's office in Munich

ParisSacha Bailly, French Navy and Airbus veteran takes helm of Dataminr's defence activities in France

BrusselsIntelligence oversight committee gives green light to Belgian spyware development

UAE
Influx of Russian hackers benefits Abu Dhabi's cyber offensive capabilities

Beacon Red, the Edge Group conglomerate's Emirati cyber subsidiary, has hired a wave of cyber engineers fleeing Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Intelligence Online understands the Russian recruits are being housed on a site separate from the rest of the company.

Spotlight | UAE
One year on, CPX, formerly Digital14, still finding itself

Since the breakup of the Emirati part public cyberintelligence firm Digital14, offshoot CPX has been through a turbulent time with its management.

UAE
OryxLabs, shelter for ex-DarkMatter and Digital14 cyber specialists

The Abu Dhabi-based OryxLabs' Abu Dhabi office is building a team of battle-hardened cyber-attack experts to pitch its zero-day exploit hunting and DNS cybersecurity services in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia, UAE
Riyadh challenges Abu Dhabi for regional cyber hub role

Saudi Arabia's efforts to develop its cyber capacities are starting to bear fruit, just as domestic business opportunities are starting to dry up for its neighbour and rival, the United Arab Emirates. The kingdom, which is determined to play a regional role, is using soft and hard power to boost its efforts to attract the latest technology.

Turkey, UAE
Turkish cyber provider Pavo Group goes door knocking in UAE

Pavo Group, chaired by Alper Ozbilen, wants to stretch its horizons beyond its home turf. It is working on new interception and big data tools, and has made contact with the UAE's main defence conglomerates.

France, Saudi Arabia
Bug bounty operators make beeline for Riyadh

Bug bounty companies were recently in Riyadh to connect with potential local partners, essential if they want to get involved in the national programmes that are on the rise in the Gulf.

The Tech Times
NCSCC trains Ukrainians in OSINT, Dataflow poaches Margaritelli, Owlint joins GICAT

Whether in SIGINT, GEOINT, OSINT or cyber, we report each week on developments great and small in the world of the technical intelligence providers.

Kyiv NCSCC takes over OSINT training for Ukrainian officials

Bassano del Grappa and New York Dataflow poaches Margaritelli

Paris Owlint joins GICAT

Finland, UAE
Finland's Bittium behind Edge's new Katim secure phone

Know-how from Finland is still very much a part of the new Katim X-2 secure telephone system, now distributed by Edge Group, thanks to cooperation with the Nordic country's Bittium.

Spotlight | UAE
After the takeover of cyber specialist Digital14, Edge heads into Asia

Discreetly integrated into Edge this month, the cyber specialist Digital14 is refocusing its activity on secure platforms, at a time when the semi-public defence group is trying to export itself outside Emirati borders.

France, UAE
French bug bounty hunters free to export their services unrestricted

Despite the tightening of checks on exports of dual-use goods, French firms that specialise in finding vulnerabilities in computer-system security are still free to export their services - even though their findings risk being misused by clients.

United States
NSO-L3-Harris deal fails but prompts calls from Congress for better control of cyberacquisitions

As part of the House of Representative's discussions on the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, Democrat representative Tom Malinowski proposed an amendment aimed at assessing the US president's ability to block acquisitions of sanctioned foreign intelligence companies in a nod to the failed NSO deal.