The hottest Data security Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics
Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future 59 implied HN points 23 Oct 24
  1. AI tools are becoming more focused on specific markets rather than serving everyone broadly. Companies are looking for niche areas to make money instead of trying to compete with big players.
  2. Using AI will likely come with costs in the future, leading to a divide between those who can afford it and those who cannot. This shift could create a two-tiered internet experience.
  3. As AI and tech services become paywall-heavy, they may lose a lot of casual users, much like publications did when they went behind paywalls. This might limit access to quality information for many people.
The Dossier 168 implied HN points 17 Jan 25
  1. The 'Little Red Book' app is heavily controlled by the Chinese government, promoting ideas like 'America stinks' and 'China rules'.
  2. Users experience strict censorship on sensitive topics, which is very different from American social media where more free expression is allowed.
  3. Downloading this app carries risks due to Chinese data laws that allow the government access to personal user data, posing privacy concerns for American users.
ChinaTalk 355 implied HN points 14 Nov 24
  1. China has introduced strict rules for generative AI, requiring all output to reflect socialist values. This highlights the government's focus on controlling AI content that interacts with the public.
  2. There are two separate registration processes for algorithms in China: a simpler one for regular algorithms and a more complex one for generative AI. The more complicated process involves direct testing by authorities, making it tougher for companies to launch AI products.
  3. The regulatory environment is still evolving and can be confusing for companies. Some might face delays in getting their models approved, which could lead to a preference for targeting businesses over regular consumers.
ChinaTalk 207 implied HN points 12 Nov 24
  1. The DOJ is creating new data security rules to help protect American personal data from foreign threats. This is important because foreign adversaries could use sensitive information against us.
  2. Companies need to be careful about how they handle sensitive data, especially when dealing with countries considered 'adversarial'. There will be strict rules about who they can sell data to and how to keep it secure.
  3. Public feedback is vital in shaping these new rules. The DOJ wants companies to share their thoughts so they can finalize a plan that protects national security without harming the economy.
The Data Ecosystem 159 implied HN points 16 Jun 24
  1. The data lifecycle includes all the steps from when data is created until it is no longer needed. This helps organizations understand how to manage and use their data effectively.
  2. Different people and companies might describe the data lifecycle in slightly different ways, which can be confusing. It's important to have a clear understanding of what each term means in context.
  3. Properly managing data involves stages like storage, analysis, and even disposal or archiving. This ensures data remains useful and complies with regulations.
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The Security Industry 21 implied HN points 13 Jan 25
  1. The 2025 Cyber 150 list highlights the fastest growing midsize cybersecurity companies, showcasing how many of them have expanded significantly over the last year.
  2. Dopple was the standout performer, increasing its headcount by 217%, which shows that some companies can grow rapidly even in a competitive market.
  3. Overall, these companies have raised a total of $8.6 billion in funding, and their success attracts even more investment, allowing them to grow and hire more employees.
Gradient Flow 519 implied HN points 05 Oct 23
  1. Starting with proprietary models through public APIs, like GPT-4 or GPT-3.5, is a common and easy way to begin working with Large Language Models (LLMs). This stage allows exploration with tools like Haystack.
  2. Transitioning to open source LLMs provides benefits like cost control, speed, and stability, but requires expertise in managing models, data, and infrastructure. Using open source LLMs like Llama models from Anyscale can be efficient.
  3. Creating custom LLMs offers advantages of tailored accuracy and performance for specific tasks or domains, though it requires calibration and domain-specific data. Managing multiple custom LLMs enhances performance and user experience but demands robust serving infrastructure.
storyvoyager 7 implied HN points 21 Jan 25
  1. Access to individuals is the key to power in today's digital world. Just like past authoritarian regimes used information to control people, social media platforms use our data for economic gain.
  2. TikTok's popularity raises concerns about privacy and power. Its ability to collect user data makes it a potential national security threat, highlighting how digital platforms can influence politics and society.
  3. The future of social media could either deepen inequalities or promote positive change. As technology evolves, we need to decide how we want to use these platforms to influence our lives and the world.
Resilient Cyber 159 implied HN points 13 Feb 24
  1. Software supply chain attacks are on the rise, so companies need to protect their processes from potential risks. Understanding these threats is key for organizations that rely on software.
  2. NIST provides guidelines to help organizations improve their software security in DevSecOps environments. By following their advice, companies can ensure that their software development processes are safe from compromise.
  3. Implementing zero-trust principles and automating security checks during software development can greatly reduce the risk of attacks. This means controlling access and regularly checking for vulnerabilities throughout the development cycle.
Import AI 439 implied HN points 06 Mar 23
  1. Google researchers achieved promising results by scaling a Vision Transformer to 22B parameters, showcasing improved alignment to human visual perception.
  2. Google introduced a potentially better optimizer called Lion, showing outstanding performance across various models and tasks, including setting a new high score on ImageNet.
  3. A shift toward sovereign AI systems is emerging globally, driven by the need for countries to develop their own AI capabilities to enhance national security and economic competitiveness.
Curious futures (KGhosh) 4 implied HN points 12 Jan 25
  1. Big food companies are using marketing tactics similar to those of Big Tobacco, especially targeting children and minorities, making processed foods addictive.
  2. Many employees feel overwhelmed by AI in the workplace, despite executives believing it will improve productivity. This added pressure is causing burnout for workers.
  3. There's an exciting future ahead with new technologies, like nuclear batteries, but we need to be careful about their use and how we protect data as we embrace innovation.
Technically Optimistic 39 implied HN points 03 May 24
  1. Net neutrality ensures equal access to internet services without discrimination or throttling by ISPs.
  2. Government oversight aims to hold providers accountable for service quality, security, and consumer data protection.
  3. Allowing ISPs to control access and pricing without regulation could widen the privilege gap and hinder access to essential services.
Deploy Securely 78 implied HN points 09 Feb 24
  1. New products and services in the AI world frequently emerge, making it challenging to keep track of them all.
  2. Excessive data retention poses security risks as well as legal implications.
  3. It is crucial to stay updated on the data retention policies of service providers to manage security and legal risks effectively.
DeFi Education 459 implied HN points 25 Nov 22
  1. Companies must follow privacy laws like GDPR, which set strict rules on how to collect and use personal data. Breaking these rules can lead to big fines and even legal trouble for executives.
  2. Privacy policies are crucial because they inform users about what data is collected and how it is used. Companies are updating their privacy policies to reflect what they actually do with data.
  3. Using services like Metamask means sharing your data, like your IP address and Ethereum wallet address. It's essential to be cautious and consider using privacy tools to protect your information.
The Joyous Struggle 197 implied HN points 14 Oct 22
  1. Technology and capitalism are intertwined, impacting our daily experiences and evolving our lived realities.
  2. Surveillance capitalism, based on data extraction and manipulation, can lead to a loss of personal control and invasion of privacy.
  3. The normalization of compulsory data sharing in society poses a threat to individual autonomy and shifts the balance from citizens to consumers.
The API Changelog 3 implied HN points 31 Dec 24
  1. ChatGPT and Sora experienced service outages, affecting many users. This situation shows how important it is for digital services to have strong systems, especially during busy times.
  2. The U.S. Air Force is creating a new standard for aircraft maintenance that will help both military and commercial aviation. This is a big step towards improving safety and efficiency in aircraft upkeep.
  3. A major leak revealed that thousands of Postman Workspaces exposed sensitive data like API keys. This highlights how crucial it is to secure digital information to prevent cyber risks.
Golden Pineapple 158 implied HN points 30 Aug 23
  1. 70% of the top YC S23 companies are focusing on AI and Developer Tools.
  2. Key trends from the YC S23 batch include AI and automation, developer-centric solutions, and financial compliance platforms.
  3. Top companies are showcasing a mix of AI-driven solutions, developer tools, fintech platforms, and a focus on user experience.
Adam’s Notes 58 implied HN points 30 Mar 23
  1. Use Masked-AI to securely access LLM APIs by replacing sensitive data with placeholders.
  2. Be cautious of sharing sensitive data with third-party APIs like OpenAI and consider privacy risks.
  3. Consider alternative models like Meta's Llama while waiting for self-hosted options to run large language models.
Let Us Face the Future 119 implied HN points 19 Oct 23
  1. Application-level security is crucial and there is a trend towards 'shift-up' in data security.
  2. Compliance with NIST standards is a significant factor for adoption in regulated industries.
  3. The NIST PQC standardization process will drive wider adoption of cryptographic tools.
The Gradient 42 implied HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. Text embeddings may not perfectly encode text, raising concerns about security protocols for embedded data.
  2. The 'Vec2text' solution aims to accurately revert embeddings back into text, highlighting the need for data security measures.
  3. The challenge of recovering text from embeddings is being addressed in research, questioning the security of using embedding vectors for information storage and communication.
Rod’s Blog 19 implied HN points 06 Feb 24
  1. Microsoft Purview is a top industry solution for managing data estates, offering governance, protection, and management.
  2. The latest enhancements to Microsoft Purview and Microsoft Defender focus on securing data in the context of generative AI, providing visibility, protection, and compliance controls.
  3. Organizations can leverage Microsoft Purview and Microsoft Defender to securely adopt AI, ensuring data protection while harnessing AI's full potential.
Fight to Repair 19 implied HN points 28 Apr 23
  1. Colorado became the first state to pass a right to repair law for agricultural equipment. This empowers farmers to access information, parts, and software for repairs, reducing delays and costs.
  2. National and federal momentum is growing for right to repair laws. Federal legislation has gained more bipartisan support, with 8 new sponsors joining the REPAIR Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.
  3. Discarded routers still contain sensitive data, highlighting the need for more efficient data wiping methods. Research shows that a significant portion of discarded electronics can still be functional or in need of minor repairs, urging for mandatory reuse efforts.
Security Is 1 HN point 17 Jul 24
  1. Encryption is important, but it's often treated as a checkbox in cloud environments. Many people believe that encryption at rest and in transit fully secures their data, but this isn't always the case.
  2. In cloud settings, especially with services like AWS, anyone with the right permissions can access data regardless of whether it's encrypted at rest. This means encrypting data on the storage level may not offer as much protection as people think.
  3. Instead of focusing heavily on encryption, businesses should prioritize their access controls and permissions. Properly managing who can access what data is often a much more critical aspect of security.
Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc 59 implied HN points 04 Oct 21
  1. Nearly 25 million people who have received vaccines in Vietnam may have had their personal information exposed due to security vulnerabilities in the national electronic health record system.
  2. The leaked information includes sensitive data like names, addresses, ID numbers, phone numbers, workplaces, and health insurance details, putting individuals at risk of privacy breaches and potential misuse.
  3. Discovering and addressing software vulnerabilities is crucial, but fixing underlying systemic issues, fostering transparency, and inviting expert collaboration upfront can prevent larger security breaches in the future.
Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc 19 implied HN points 06 Oct 21
  1. Data from COVID vaccination in Vietnam may end up in an electronic health book, including personal information like name, birthday, address, phone number, ID numbers - which can be exploited by malicious individuals.
  2. If personal data is compromised, it can lead to identity theft and phishing scams, where attackers use the information to impersonate for financial gain.
  3. Advocating for open-source systems in COVID apps can increase security by allowing experts to assess and enhance the products, potentially preventing data breaches and vulnerabilities.
AI Acumen 1 HN point 10 Feb 24
  1. Speculative fiction vignette explores a possible path to AGI by January 2025, highlighting the role of scale in AI advancements.
  2. The story reveals how advancements in transformers and fine-tuning algorithms led to the rapid progress in AI, ultimately culminating in the creation of a powerful AGI model.
  3. Security concerns, alignment challenges, and the potential societal impacts of powerful AI systems are portrayed, emphasizing the need for caution and preparedness in the face of advanced technology.
Why Now 5 implied HN points 03 Apr 23
  1. Security is a key area for innovation with a focus on problem-solving and wedging opportunities against incumbents
  2. Encrypting data in-use is a challenge in cybersecurity, with solutions like homomorphic encryption and secure enclaves emerging
  3. Secure Enclaves are highly-controlled environments that validate code execution cryptographically, offering a way to protect data in-use
Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc 39 implied HN points 01 May 18
  1. Many Vietnamese people use easily crackable encryption algorithms for their passwords, making them vulnerable to security breaches.
  2. Analyzing common passwords can help individuals understand which types of passwords are weak and encourage them to choose stronger ones.
  3. Interesting statistics show unique password choices of Vietnamese users, revealing preferences related to food and self-perception.