Briefings ·
OTASEC Daily Briefing | 22-10-2026
Today's briefing is led by a private-sector push to help under-resourced utilities, plus follow-up coverage of the SafePay ransomware advisory. Also in the news: a Sandworm wiper attack on Ukrainian food logistics and guidance on retail automation and post-quantum readiness.
1Update: Accenture, Dragos and SANS initiative is a $10 million programme for up to 500 utilities
New details on the foundation announced earlier: the private sector initiative is worth $10 million and is meant to support up to 500 under-resourced utilities. It targets cyber defenses for utilities in sectors such as energy and water.
For asset owners: If you run a small energy or water utility, check whether you could qualify for this support and where your own OT security gaps are.
2Update: SafePay advisory urges patching and network defenses
Further coverage of the joint advisory from CISA, the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service says SafePay ransomware has compromised 600 critical organizations worldwide. The agencies urge patching and stronger network defenses.
For asset owners: Prioritize patching of exposed systems and review network segmentation between IT and OT.
3Sandworm teamed up with another actor to wipe data at Ukrainian grain firm
Researchers say the Russian state-linked group Sandworm collaborated with another threat actor on a destructive attack against a Ukrainian grain logistics company last year.
For asset owners: Make sure offline backups and tested recovery procedures cover logistics and food supply chain systems that a wiper attack could hit.
4Update: Claroty draws retail automation lessons from French supermarket attacks
Claroty says the attacks on supermarket chains in France highlight the importance of industrial automation security in retail. It notes that internet-facing assets that are not securely connected or protected by strong authentication face a higher risk of disruption or damage.
For asset owners: Inventory internet-facing automation assets in stores and distribution, and enforce strong authentication or remove the exposure.
5Post-quantum readiness: Forescout on healthcare, Black Kite on vendor ecosystems
Forescout's Vedere Labs looks at healthcare security threats, including insecure specialized medical devices and the challenges of PQC migration. Black Kite released Quantum Readiness controls to assess post-quantum security across vendor ecosystems.
For asset owners: Include long-lived devices and key suppliers in your cryptographic inventory when planning PQC migration.