 |
Data Security DecodedWelcome to the Data Security Decoded podcast your guide to navigating the complex world of data protection. Each episode breaks down key cybersecurity issues and cyber resilience strategies in clear, accessible language. We speak with business leaders and cybersecurity experts to keep you informed about the latest trends and help you future-proof your data security. Join us on this essential journey. Author: Rubrik
Data Security Decoded provides actionable, vendor-agnostic insights to reduce data security risk and improve resilience outcomes. Designed for cybersecurity and IT professionals who want practical insights on preparing for attacks before they happen, so they can respond effectively when they inevitably do. Episodes feature insights from researchers, crafters of public policy, and senior cybersecurity leaders, to help organizations reduce risk and improve resilience. Data Security Decoded provides practical advice, proven strategies, and in-depth discussions on the latest trends and challenges in data security, helping listeners strengthen their organizations' defenses and recovery plans. Language: en-us Genres: News, Tech News, Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
When Hacktivists Target Water Utilities: Inside a Russian-Aligned OT Attack
Episode 44
Tuesday, 3 February, 2026
Russian-aligned hacktivist groups are increasingly targeting industrial control systems and OT environments—and sometimes it’s shockingly easy. In this episode, Daniel dos Santos, VP of Research at Forescout, walks through how his team used a honeypot to observe an attack against a simulated water treatment facility. We explore attacker motivations, common entry points, and what defenders must prioritize now. What You’ll Learn How honeypots can uncover real-world hacktivist tactics and behaviors Why exposed HMIs remain one of the weakest entry points in OT environments How Telegram has become a primary platform for hacktivist attack claims The evolving motivations behind Russian-aligned hacktivist groups Why visibility across all networked devices is critical to defense How opportunistic attacks differ from targeted nation-state operations Practical steps to avoid becoming “easy prey” for attackers Episode Highlights 00:02:30 – How the Attack Was Discovered Spotting the honeypot activity through Telegram claims00:04:00 – The Entry Point Explained Default credentials and exposed HMIs00:06:45 – Hacktivist Motivation Shift From activism to geopolitics and profit00:10:50 – Why OT Attacks Are Hard to Eradicate Hidden devices and lateral movement 00:14:20 – The Core Defensive Takeaway Don’t ignore opportunistic threats Episode Resources Forescout Research ReportsTelegram (hacktivist communications platform)Canadian Government OT Security Alert Shodan (internet-exposed asset scanning tool)
