Innovation and Technology
FBI Alert Issued As Time Traveling Hackers Attack—Act Now

How Time Travel And The FBI Are Mixed Up In Medusa Attacks
A Quick Recap of the Medusa Ransomware Attacks
Medusa, a type of ransomware, has been known to impact at least 300 critical infrastructure targets. It uses social engineering and unpatched software vulnerabilities as part of its exploit campaign. The FBI has issued a critical security advisory, outlining tactics, techniques, and procedures, indicators of compromise, and detection methods associated with the Medusa attacks.
Time Travel Hacking Technique
Boris Cipot, a senior security engineer at Black Duck, revealed that Medusa attackers are creatively abusing system misconfigurations in their efforts to bypass security controls. The attackers have been using a time travel hacking technique, which involves changing the system date to a time when a security certificate, which signed a certain driver, was still valid. This allows the attackers to load the expired driver, which would normally be rejected by the system.
Mitigating the Time Travel Hackers
To mitigate this kind of time travel hackery, Cipot advised that organizations need a combination of best-in-class endpoint protection, strict policy enforcement, and proactive monitoring. Detection of system configuration changes is also essential, as it’s the system time changes that proved central to the failure of security protections in the case of the Medusa attacks. Additionally, Windows should be configured to enforce strict revocation checks for signed drivers, blocking the expired certificates.
FBI’s Advice on Mitigating Medusa Attacks
The FBI has advised users to:
- Enable two-factor authentication for all services where possible, particularly for webmail, virtual private networks, and accounts that can access critical systems.
- Employ long passwords on all accounts that require them.
- Refrain from imposing a requirement for frequent password changes.
- Keep all operating systems, software, and firmware up to date.
- Patching should be prioritized for internet-facing systems where a known vulnerability is concerned.
- Identify, detect, and investigate any abnormal activity that could indicate a potential network traversal of the ransomware.
- Monitor systems for unauthorized scanning and access attempts.
- Filter network traffic to prevent unknown or untrusted actors from accessing remote services on internal systems.
- Audit all user accounts with administrative privileges and configure access controls according to the principle of least privilege.
- Disable command-line and scripting activities and permissions along with all unused ports.
Conclusion
It’s clear that the Medusa attacks are a serious threat to critical infrastructure targets. The use of a time travel hacking technique is a new and innovative way for attackers to bypass security controls. It’s essential that organizations take the FBI’s advice and take proactive measures to mitigate the risk of a Medusa attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Medusa ransomware?
A: Medusa is a type of ransomware that uses social engineering and unpatched software vulnerabilities as part of its exploit campaign.
Q: How do attackers use time travel hacking?
A: Attackers use a time travel hacking technique, which involves changing the system date to a time when a security certificate, which signed a certain driver, was still valid.
Q: How can I protect my systems from Medusa attacks?
A: Enable two-factor authentication, employ long passwords, keep all operating systems, software, and firmware up to date, and patching should be prioritized for internet-facing systems where a known vulnerability is concerned.
Innovation and Technology
The Role of the Future

Are AI Product Managers The Role Of The Future?
Key Areas Of Proficiency Are Required For The AI Product Manager
AI product managers will need to demonstrate an understanding of AI and machine learning technologies and how AI models are trained, tested, and implemented. They will also need to have data science skills, understand AI model performance, and have knowledge of regulatory, ethics, and bias understanding.
Key Areas Of Proficiency:
- AI-specific technical competence
- Data science skills
- AI model performance
- Regulatory, ethics, and bias understanding
- Education, evangelization, and influence management
Every Product Manager Will Be An AI Product Manager, So Start Learning Today
Just as the "internet product manager" evolved to become a component of today’s standard product management practice, Forrester predicts that AI will also become part of the standard product manager’s role in the future. Generalist PMs will need a baseline understanding of AI so they can thoughtfully integrate AI capabilities into existing products and continually improve those capabilities based on technology changes and customer feedback.
Product Leaders Must Support Their Teams’ AI/ML Learning
Product management leaders must take a strategic approach to upskilling their teams about AI and ML by fostering a culture of learning and providing hands-on experiences. A good start is providing AI literacy courses, hands-on learning opportunities, and online interactive options.
Conclusion
As AI becomes a crucial part of the standard product manager’s role, it is essential for product leaders to support their teams’ AI/ML learning. By fostering a culture of learning and providing hands-on experiences, product leaders can ensure their teams are equipped to handle the challenges of AI product management.
FAQs
- What skills do AI product managers need?
- AI-specific technical competence, data science skills, AI model performance, regulatory, ethics, and bias understanding, and education, evangelization, and influence management.
- Why will every product manager be an AI product manager?
- AI will become part of the standard product manager’s role in the future, and generalist PMs will need a baseline understanding of AI to thoughtfully integrate AI capabilities into existing products.
- How can product leaders support their teams’ AI/ML learning?
- By providing AI literacy courses, hands-on learning opportunities, and online interactive options, and by fostering a culture of learning and providing hands-on experiences.
Innovation and Technology
Data and Analytics

Are you looking to unlock the full potential of your business? In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, data and analytics are no longer optional, but a crucial part of any digital transformation strategy. With the right tools and expertise, you can gain valuable insights, make data-driven decisions, and stay ahead of the competition.
The Importance of Data and Analytics in Digital Transformation
Data and analytics are no longer just about crunching numbers and generating reports. They are now a key driver of business success, helping organizations to optimize operations, improve decision-making, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.
Why Data and Analytics Matter
Data and analytics help organizations to:
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Gain insights into customer behavior and preferences
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Identify areas for improvement and optimize operations
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Make data-driven decisions, rather than relying on intuition or anecdotal evidence
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Stay ahead of the competition by being more agile and responsive to changing market conditions
The Challenges of Data and Analytics
While the benefits of data and analytics are clear, many organizations struggle to implement effective solutions. This can be due to a range of factors, including:
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Limited resources, including budget and personnel
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Complexity and technical difficulties in implementing and maintaining data analytics solutions
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Lack of expertise and knowledge in data analysis and interpretation
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Resistance to change and cultural barriers to adopting new technologies and processes
Overcoming the Challenges of Data and Analytics
While the challenges of data and analytics are real, there are many ways to overcome them. This can include:
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Seeking expert guidance and support to help implement and maintain data analytics solutions
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Investing in employee training and development to build in-house expertise
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Starting small and gradually building up capabilities and expertise
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Building a strong business case and demonstrating the value of data and analytics to stakeholders
Conclusion
Data and analytics are no longer optional, but a crucial part of any digital transformation strategy. By gaining insights into customer behavior, identifying areas for improvement, and making data-driven decisions, organizations can stay ahead of the competition and achieve their goals.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between data and analytics?
A: Data refers to the raw information, while analytics refer to the process of analyzing and interpreting that data to gain insights and make informed decisions.
Q: Why is data and analytics important for businesses?
A: Data and analytics are important for businesses because they help organizations to gain insights into customer behavior, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions.
Q: What are some common challenges that businesses face when implementing data and analytics solutions?
A: Some common challenges that businesses face when implementing data and analytics solutions include limited resources, complexity and technical difficulties, lack of expertise and knowledge, and resistance to change and cultural barriers.
Innovation and Technology
5 Employee Experience Mistakes Companies Will Make This Year

Lagging In HR AI And Automation
There are lots of great ways companies can use AI within HR to drive improvements in EX. Did you know, for example, that 54% of respondents to one survey said they had given up on applying for a job they wanted due to poor communication from the employer?
Other opportunities include providing personalized onboarding, reducing administrative work by automating repetitive tasks, engagement tracking and improving many aspects of performance management.
Over-Automating Employee Experience
On the other hand, AI still presents a huge number of challenges, particularly when it’s mixed with humans! And while many companies will make the error of under-investing, just as many will, unfortunately, end up using it in ways that are potentially damaging.
Failing To Offer Personal Development Opportunities
This is critical for both retaining existing employees and attracting new talent. Technology is quickly reshaping industries, but workforces need trained and skilled employees to take advantage of this. Offering career progression planning, upskilling and retraining aimed at empowering them to use technology helps people feel they are investing in their own futures by sticking with a business.
Failing To Measure EX ROI
Investing in EX initiatives without a clear plan or milestones in place for measuring success risks wasting money without delivering tangible benefits.
Neglecting Employee Mental Health And Wellness
Workplace stress and burnout are at an all-time high. In fact, the World Health Organization reports that the US economy loses $1 trillion every year thanks to lost productivity caused by depression and anxiety.
Final Thoughts
Employees are a company’s most important resource, and neglecting EX in 2025 means they will quickly start looking elsewhere. This can be a disaster when business success is more dependent than ever on attracting and retaining the right people!
Conclusion
The message I want to get across is that every business should take a strategic approach to EX, taking care to understand how success or failure will impact goals and overall performance. Invest in staff through training, professional development and wellbeing initiatives, and they will pay you back with loyalty, growth and business success!
FAQs
- What is employee experience (EX)?
- EX is the sum of all experiences an employee has in a company, including their interactions with colleagues, supervisors, and the organization itself.
- Why is EX important?
- EX is important because it can directly impact employee productivity, retention, and overall job satisfaction.
- What are some common pitfalls companies make when it comes to EX?
- Some common pitfalls include lagging in HR AI and automation, over-automating employee experience, failing to offer personal development opportunities, failing to measure EX ROI, and neglecting employee mental health and wellness.
- How can companies improve EX?
- Companies can improve EX by providing personalized onboarding, reducing administrative work, offering career progression planning, and prioritizing employee mental health and wellness.
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