Technology Blog Business Cybersecurity

October 14, 2025: The Day 400 Million PCs Become Security Targets

In the course of 13 brief days, one of the largest cybersecurity events on record will occur. On October 14, 2025, Microsoft formally ends support for Windows 10, involuntarily flipping 400 million devices globally into unpatched and vulnerable endpoints overnight. For organizations still running Windows 10, this date represents a critical inflection point between security run and disaster exposure. The magnitude of this transition cannot be overstated. Unlike previous Microsoft end-of-life announcements, Windows 10 maintains over 53% of the Windows market as of 2025, which translates to the majority of business computers globally losing security protection at once. Businesses that wait until October 14 are confronted with an extreme spike in the threat of ransomware, zero-day attacks, and compliance problems that can immobilize businesses within weeks. The $30 Billion Extended Security Dilemma Microsoft provides Extended Security Updates (ESU) as a stopgap, but the prices tell us the extent of this crisis. Enterprise ESU subscriptions cost $61 per device for the first year, which doubles every consecutive year to up to three years. For a mid-sized organization of 1,000 Windows 10 endpoints, this comes out to $61,000 for year one alone, going up to $122,000 for year two and $244,000 for year three. Consumer customers pay an annual fee of $30, though European Economic Area citizens have a free alternative and also Microsoft’s cloud backup service. These costs reveal a bitter reality: companies that delayed Windows 11 migration must now pay gigantic financial penalties or unpalatable security vulnerabilities. Supply chain partners still using Windows 10 introduce added third-party risk, with hackers increasingly exploiting the weakest links within business ecosystems to offer lateral access. Companies must scan their own infrastructure but also ensure vendors, contractors, and service providers have upgraded. What Happens After October 14: The WannaCry Precedent The ransomware attack WannaCry is a good lesson in the consequences of running unsupported Windows systems. WannaCry paralyzed hospitals, government agencies, and critical infrastructure in 150 countries. The ransomware attack exploited unpatched versions of Windows XP and Windows 7. With the end of support for Windows 10 fast approaching, experts warn of potential large-scale attacks, and cybercriminals carefully planning support-less versions of Windows attacks and stockpiling zero-day exploits. Systems running unpatched Windows 10 will become more vulnerable as new security flaws will emerge, become unfixable, and not be addressed by Windows 10 updates. Ransomware groups like BlackMatter and Scattered Spider specialize in exploiting legacy systems. The October 14 deadline, security groups predict, will provide a massive Windows 10 attack surface for exploitation. Organizations running unpatched Windows 10 after October 14 will operate systems with known, unfixable, exploitable Windows 10 vulnerabilities. Immediate Action Required: The 13-Day Countdown Prior to October 14, organizations are faced with three viable options, albeit with different consequences. Windows 11 migration is the recommended option for long-term security, but the needed hardware requirements; including TPM 2.0, UEFI firmware, and Secure Boot support, may involve some equipment refreshes. ESU enrollment is an expensive stopgap and will only provide limited protection for three years, while the unpatched Windows 10 option is not a viable choice for any organization that works with sensitive data or is in a compliance-heavy industry. Government agencies have already mandated a Windows 11 migration with complete transitions from the Department of Defense and multiple military branches. The private sector should also conduct emergency hardware audits, fast track procurement processes, and begin tiered migration approaches, even if those extend past October 14. How Sprit Network Protects Organizations Through the Windows 10 Transition Sprit Network knows that the end of support for Windows 10 is more than just an upgrade. It is a major security change that needs protection at all levels of infrastructure. Our Data Centre Security solutions ensure that even during the migration, critical business systems stay safe through strict access controls, continuous monitoring, and strong infrastructure protections that stop unauthorized access during these vulnerable times. Our Perimeter Security framework offers vital protection for mixed Windows environments. We use next-generation firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and threat intelligence to block harmful traffic targeting both older Windows 10 systems and new Windows 11 endpoints. As companies go through the migration, Sprit Network’s Cloud Security solutions protect hybrid environments where some systems may temporarily run on cloud-based virtual machines with Extended Security Update (ESU) protection while physical hardware gets replaced. Most importantly, Sprit Network’s Data and Content Security services ensure that sensitive information remains encrypted and protected, no matter the state of the underlying operating system. With strong data loss prevention, secure backup systems, and clear governance policies, organizations keep their data safe even if temporary security gaps happen during the transition. Our integrated approach means that whether clients choose to upgrade to Windows 11 right away, enroll in temporary ESU, or use hybrid methods, their key business operations and sensitive data remain protected throughout this important cybersecurity change.

Blog Business Cybersecurity Design

Staying Ahead of Emerging Cyber security Threats: 2025

The world of cyber security in 2025 is as unstable and dynamic as it has ever been. From the kind of broad-scale hacking attacks to sector-specific breaches, and from investments in AI led defense infrastructure for record levels, organizations are confronted with threats that are both persistent and sophisticated. Three recent incidents, a worldwide crackdown on cybercrime, a hack of the database of a luxury brand company, and a multi-million-dollar AI and cyber security innovation fund, underscore the need for companies to rethink their defenses. Let’s take these incidents and their implications into account, and then discuss how Sprit Network’s multi-layered cyber security solutions can help businesses become more robust. Emerging Cybercrime and Cross-Border Incidents Perhaps the most immediate news is the recent arrest of British hackers indicted in both the US and UK for a sequence of enormous cyber-attacks. These hackers, according to reports, are members of the “Scattered Spider” crew and are accused of orchestrating more than 120 breaches against public and private sector organizations. One of the most alarming reports was an assault on the IT system of Transport for London, demonstrating how crucial infrastructure can be exposed to sophisticated cybercrime operations. Financial Times reported that the gang blended extortion with disruption of systems, a trend that is becoming more common among attackers. The case indicates two important realities: cybercrime is international, and traditional boundaries are not an impediment to determined adversaries. Modern-day attackers often strike in loosely organized, transnational gangs, leveraging dark web anonymity and crypto currency to organize and monetize their assaults. This means for enterprises that defense solutions need to prepare for global scope, with strong monitoring and rapid incident response capabilities able to manage persistent intrusion attempts. Expensive Fashion Designers Affected by Data Breach. Cybercriminals too are attacking industries that are not traditionally linked to critical systems as seen in the case of the attack on luxury fashion brands of Gucci, Balenciaga, and Alexander Mcqueen. The Guardian reports that the hacker movement called Shiny Hunters got access to databases of the parent company of these brands, Kering, and disclosed sensitive data about customers such as names and email addresses, and even their birth dates. Though the financial information was said not to be affected, the disclosure of personal information brings in the long term fears of privacy, phishing dangers, and reputational harm. This event underscores a new trend: the attackers are shifting their attack to industries that deal with large quantities of personal information but perhaps have not deployed cyber security resources as much as the financial services or government organizations. Industries where the customer loyalty is deeply connected to the brand trust, it takes only one violation to lose trust and spend years and years of reputation healing. To any organization working in any field, the moral of the story is that customer data is as any other financial resource, and it needs to be secured with the same seriousness. Investment Surge in AI and Cybersecurity Although these violations support the risks, the indications of novelty in defense measures are also encouraging. Glilot Capital, which is a startup in Israel, has recently invested $500 million in AI-oriented cyber security startups, which shows the investor base and the dire need to find solutions that can address AI-driven attacks. According to Reuters, the fund will support early start-up businesses that work on the technologies capable of keeping up with the changing strategies of cybercriminals. The timing is significant. Attackers have become more likely to automate phishing campaigns, develop believable deep fakes, and take advantage of vulnerabilities faster and more than ever before with the help of AI. Simultaneously, defenders are switching to AI-powered platforms, which offer real-time anomaly identification, predictive analytics and automated containment. This cyber security arms race indicates that the future of the cyber security field will be closely connected to the development of the artificial intelligence domain, and companies should always consider and improve their tools in order not to lag. Artificial Intelligence and Cyber security Investment Explosion. All these trends demonstrate the increasing sophistication of modern cyber defense. Cyber threats are no longer confined to ransom ware and malware; they now involve complex social engineering schemes that exploit the supply chain and involve global identity theft. Whether a hacker group works to disrupt a nation’s transport system or a cyber-attack targets consumer confidence in a luxury brand, the key point is that cyber risk is pervasive and disruptive across all industries. In addition, the combination of AI and cybercrime means that outdated defense strategies are no longer effective. Attackers who use adaptive real-time techniques cannot be successfully defended against through firewalls, antivirus, and other legacy systems. Sophisticated layered security systems that embrace the full spectrum of prevention, detection, and response in all systems, including human decision systems, are now essential. Building a Resilient Cyber security Posture For organizations of all sizes, resilience is key. A strong cyber security posture is not just about stopping attacks; it also involves keeping operations running and recovering quickly after a breach. This requires regular vulnerability assessments, employee training programs to reduce human error, and the adoption of “zero trust” principles where every user and device must be verified continuously.  Investing in proactive defenses is much cheaper than recovering from a breach, not only in terms of money but also regarding customer trust and regulatory compliance. Forward-thinking companies are already partnering with trusted cyber security providers to gain access to expertise, effective tools, and tailored strategies.  How Sprit Network Can Help Safeguard Your Business Sprit Network knows every incident is unique, and as such, knows organizations need granular and flexible solutions. Our cyber security solutions help sustain every stratum of your digital environment: Sprit Network puts to use the latest technologies and its extensive knowledge to help organizations go beyond surviving threats. In a time where there is a risk of borderless- Hacking campaigns, major data variable breaches, or gaining primary position in the AI arms race, we provide substantial solutions guaranteeing the security

Blog Business Cybersecurity EDUCATION Technology

Data under Attack: Telecoms and Universities hit the necessity of Multi-Layered Cybersecurity

The Increase of Breaches At the beginning of August 2025, the world took stock of the highly advanced and massive cyber-attacks it had successfully afflicted on the world with two of the most prominent data breaches. The former smashes Bouygues Telecom, a French giant in telecommunications, as personal data of 6.4 million clients was stolen after a cyber-attack that was observed on August 4. Despite reports that passwords and bank card details were not compromised, the breach presents a threat to the customers because there is a risk of phishing scams and identity theft. The company immediately informed the French regulatory bodies including CNIL and ANSSI and advised the customers to beware and be cautious. At the same time on the other side of the world in Australia, the University of Western Australia (UWA) was the victim of a cyber incident that attacked the password storing systems of the university. The breach resulted in a forcible system-wide lock down of both staff and student accounts. Password resetting was issued, but despite officials insisting that no additional personal or academic information was stolen, the problem was so disruptive that student deadlines of assessment were pushed forward. An incident response team stayed over the weekend working to contain the breach and to restore complete security. Academia and Telecoms caught These breaches highlight a concerning trend. Cybercriminals are targeting organizations rich in sensitive data, like telecom providers and educational institutions. Telecom companies such as Bouygues manage large amounts of customer information, making them ideal targets for attackers seeking to exploit personal and financial data. Universities handle personal information of students and staff, and they also possess sensitive academic and research data. This data can be valuable for ransomware attacks.  The consequences go beyond just exposed data. These incidents disrupt operations, harm institutional reputations, shake customer and student trust, and may lead to expensive regulatory fines. This changing threat landscape requires a thoughtful, multi-layered cybersecurity strategy tailored to the specific risks and operational needs of each sector Emerging Trends and Concerns Today, many cyber-attacks are not random acts of digital vandalism. They are primarily planned depending on either the financial gain, political situation or one-sided advantage. Attackers target trusted sectors that scoring will probably be high on data impact–and where detection will be slow. This was demonstrated by the breaches at Bouygues Telecom and at UWA where attackers gained access to sensitive data repositories and insecure pathways to password systems, respectively, exposing millions of people to potential harm. In addition, each of those sectors face advanced threats (e.g. phishing, social engineering, insider threats) and more recently, nation-sponsored cyber-espionage. Attackers are usually targeting weak points such as out-dated legacy systems, with poor data protection controls or inadequate network monitoring. Without robust layered defense, many organizations remain susceptible to breaches while at the same time, are often ignorant of the potential for employee misuse of organizational data. How Sprit Network strengthens defenses with Cybersecurity Solutions Understanding the fact of cyber security threats, Spirit Network has designed a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that directly confronts the challenges brought about by the current threat landscape with its four key areas of service: Building Resilience through a unified Approach Cyberattacks on Bouygues Telecom and UWA prove that nothing is secure anymore. To counter such threats, security at every level, from datacentres to cloud, and from data to network boundary, is required along with a good strategy and not just reactive measures. Sprit Network helps organizations defend against today’s sophisticated cyber threats by integrating our four pillars as part of a unified security architecture. Our solutions can rapidly detect and contain breaches while preventing many attacks before they occur. This approach allows telecoms, universities, and every data-driven organization to protect their clients, staff, and reputation.

Blog Business Cybersecurity

SharePoint exploits, Ransomware threats, and Identity risks : Enterprise Security downfall in 2025

Organizations worldwide are experiencing a rise in advanced cyber attacks that target authentication systems, cloud services, and critical infrastructure in 2025. The presence of potent ransomware gangs, zero-day exploits, and the urgency to address better identity security has formed a severe danger. The ransomware attack on Ingram Micro, the exploitation of Microsoft SharePoint vulnerabilities, and Palo Alto Networks’ strategic acquisition of CyberArk are three significant events that act as a serious wake-up call for organizations. Active ZeroDay Exploits Affect Microsoft SharePoint Servers Microsoft revealed two serious zero-day vulnerabilities in on-premises SharePoint servers, CVE 2025 53770 and CVE 2025 53771 that were already being actively used. These defects let remote attackers who weren’t verified, run any code they wanted and override authentication checks. Ransomware groups took advantage of the situation by adding webshells, stealing machine keys, and spreading malware like the free Warlock ransomware variation. Microsoft released emergency updates for these serious security holes and told businesses to change their machine keys and restart services to get rid of malware that was already on their machines. Ingram Micro Breach : Supply Chains at Risk SafePay’s data leak site carried out a major ransomware attack on Ingram Micro, one of the world’s largest IT distributors tha forced it to shutdown parts of its infrastructure. The attackers claimed to have stolen over 3.5 terabytes of confidential data, including financial records, customer information, legal agreements, and possibly access credentials. The impact of data leakage will be far beyond, as Ingram Micro plays a key role in global tech supply chains. Thousands of partner businesses potentially gets affected by any breach within its network, including cloud service providers, vendors, and managed service operators. The weakness made people worry about third-party data exposure, caused problems with operations, and put clients at risk of breaking the law and having their data stolen. This event shows how serious the problem of double extortion ransomware is, where hackers not only lock up data but also steal it to put pressure on their victims. While increasing the sense of urgency, merging operational disruption with risks to reputation and compliance, this attack demonstrated how supply chains have become prime targets for cybercriminals. It serves as a warning for businesses worldwide to enhance end-to-end cybersecurity, especially when engaging with large service providers. Strategic Rise of Identity and Access Control IAM (Identity and Access Management) is now recognized as an effective defense strategy by organizations in response to the massive rise in cybersecurity. The recent announcement that Palo Alto Networks is acquiring CyberArk in a landmark $25 billion deal, highlights a growing industry trend: protecting systems is no longer just about firewalls and antivirus software it’s about securing access and control resources reach. CyberArk is a leader in worldwide privileged access management (PAM) which is committed to securing accounts with elevated privileges of IT administrators, DevOps pipelines, and machine accounts. These types of accounts are the most popular victims of cyber attackers, as they may find a way through the networks to reach confidential information and execute advanced attacks. Palo Alto is looking to integrate identity security with network and endpoint protection through its leveraging of CyberArk to create an identity-first approach to cybersecurity. This strategic decision is made during a period when attackers are increasingly taking advantage of compromised credentials instead of directly exploiting technical vulnerabilities. As remote work, SaaS adoption, and cloud-native architectures continue to expand, the conventional network perimeter has become less distinct. Thus, it is essential to continuously verify trust rather than assuming it based on location or device. It’s time for Businesses to re-evaluate their Cybersecurity strategies The recent wave of cyberattacks, the exploitation of Microsoft SharePoint, the ransomware assault on Ingram Micro, the business shaping merger of Palo Alto Networks and CyberArk, signals that no organization is secure. With unpatched devices, weak identity controls, or tenuous third-party connections, attackers are finding new entry points and their vulnerabilities with speed and precision. Today’s threat landscape demands more than traditional antivirus or firewall based protection. Businesses must move toward a multi-layered security strategy that emphasizes identity, continuous monitoring, and active response without delaying. Also, enterprises should go beyond and focus on internal systems. An important endpoint of protections have now become supply chain risk management and third party vendor assessments. A security breach in a trusted partner might have a direct effect to your data, activities and requirements to be compliant. Businesses that embrace zero trust, tighten access controls, and secure every layer of their infrastructure, from the cloud to the data center, will be the ones most resilient in the face of modern cyber threats. How Sprit Network Protects Identity, Infrastructure & Cloud Recent increased activity in cyberattacks, such as the attack on zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft SharePoint and the ransom breach in Ingram Micro, has helped to illustrate the point that proper holistic protection that covers all layers of the IT environment is needed by businesses. These threats and risks can be immensely mitigated starting with the data centre, cybersecurity model. We offer proactive patch management and detection of threats in real-time and endpoint isolation so the attackers will be unable to exploit unpatched systems and/or continue within compromised environments. We provide unauthorized traffic blockage and minimization of external threat engagement through our perimeter security services, such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), intrusion detection systems, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). We provide unauthorized traffic blockage and minimization of external threat engagement through our perimeter security services, such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), intrusion detection systems, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). Meanwhile, Sprit enhances organizations against data leakages and extortion with a maximum level of data and content protection. This involves encryption, data loss prevention (DLP), and secure backup plans to reduce the extent of data exfiltration, in the event of a break in. As the industry moves toward cloud-native environments and identity-based attacks, our cloud protection services make sure that applications, APIs and remote access are highly managed and continuously watched. Examples of ways we reduce unauthorized access include using

Blog Business Cybersecurity Technology

Comprehensive Cybersecurity Solutions for the Modern Enterprise

The Rise of AI-Powered Cyberattacks One of the latest dangers of concern for the field of cybersecurity is the emergence of AI-powered cyber attacks. Such attacks implement more sophisticated techniques for perpetrating an offense by automating the process of an offense and learning on the fly. AI-driven cyber attacks not only utilize machine learning for automation but also for intelligence gathering, making real-time modifications for evasion. In comparison to the traditional attacks using automated bots, AI-assisted attacks do not simply rely on a predictable set of rules. In contrast, they can simulate real-time user activities and improve on a herculean level their guessing algorithms to bypass defenses set, i.e., signature-based detection. In an example, the Israeli startup, Noma Security, attracted a funding of 100 million to focus on builing more efficient AI counter measures, showcasing the immediate concern such a threat poses. Organizations are now more vulnerable to advanced attacks of this kind, which stealthily permeate such gateways provided within the network to compromise and compromise and only then inflict irreversible damage and expeditiously go undetected, the end result is a huge cost in the form of loss of data and breaches Password Weaknesses Can Lead to Business Collapse Even with the advances in cybersecurity technologies, a common yet frequently disregarded flaw remains the foundation of many successful attacks: weak passwords and inadequate credential management. A recent event involving a 158-year old transportation company in the UK serves as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of this flaw. By just guessing an employee’s password, hackers were able to obtain unlawful access, ultimately forcing the organization to shut down (source). This story is a potent reminder that even the most advanced security mechanisms can be compromised by human error. Many businesses undervalue the significance of implementing strong password standards and teaching employees about cyber hygiene, which exposes them to ransomware infections and other credential-based assaults that can progress into significant breaches.. Exploiting Software Flaws: Government Systems Targeted State-sponsored threat actors have remained committed to using software vulnerabilities to gain access to highly sensitive systems. An example was the use by Chinese-associated attackers of zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft SharePoint to enter into U.S. federal agencies, as described in a Politico report. The attackers then deployed ransomware and other payloads in the now-referred-to Storm-2603 attack campaign (Storm-2603 details). They also illustrate the need for organizations to maintain constant security monitoring in the form of vulnerability scanning, patching, and secure configuration management. Failure to do so exposes systems to being taken over and compromised, often with catastrophic operational and reputational consequences. The sophistication and intricacy of such attacks require early detection and rapid response to be an integral component of any cybersecurity strategy. Governing Cloud and SaaS in an AI-Driven Era The use of cloud computing and the use of SaaS institutes keeps on increasing at an exponential rate due to necessities of flexibility, scalability, lot of cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, such a fast integration of use brings a new range of security threats, considering the increasing level of AI features implemented within these platforms. According to the CISO Guide to SaaS AI Governance, the potential threats of uncontrolled data sharing, unauthorized access, and compliance concerns associated with the practice of adopting an AI application that remains out of control in terms of governance are mentioned. Maintaining effective policies and monitoring practices is a challenge that many organizations face, and this may lead to data leak or breach that would hurt their customer and regulatory positions. Enterprise-level control and management of cloud and SaaS governance is no longer optional but a requirement because it is now a requirement to safely leverage their advantages to the organization without compromising the essential data. Identity-Centric Security: The Future of Cyber Defense Cybersecurity is rapidly shifting its focus from perimeter defenses to identity-centric strategies. According to a recent Axios report, as attackers increasingly exploit weaknesses in identity and access controls, securing user credentials and managing permissions has become the foundation of modern cyber defense. The traditional network perimeter is dissolving with remote work, cloud services, and mobile devices, making it essential to secure not just devices and infrastructure but the identities that access them. Failure to do so can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and insider threats. Embracing identity-centric security means implementing robust identity and access management (IAM), continuous monitoring, and zero-trust policies that verify every user and device interaction in real time. How “SPRIT NETWORK” Can Help Your Business Stay Secure Here at SPRIT NETWORK, we are aware of the fact that cyber threats have transformed drastically. In the past, firewalls or antivirus software could be utilized to ensure that a business is secure enough. This has prompted us to create end to end security offerings in four key domains (guidelines) to leave no space to our clients without direct security. Even the most sophisticated threats can be stopped by SPRIT NETWORK because of how securely integrated its security layers are in ensuring they are powered by the most advanced AI technologies and executed by our qualified expert team. However, the largest success is that we have set your business in a position to exhibit resilience, flexibility, and security against any form of cybersecurity risks in the future to guarantee asset protection and sustainability in the long run

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