Cyber Brief: New ransomware tactics and UK supply chain risks

Today’s cyber landscape highlights a mix of evolving ransomware techniques, urgent patching requirements for widely used tools and a new UK insight into supply chain weaknesses. These updates emphasise the need for organisations to stay ahead of attacker behaviour while strengthening both technical and governance controls.

Ransomware actors adopt new multi stage extortion methods

Security researchers have observed a rise in multi stage extortion methods where attackers layer additional pressure on victims by combining traditional data theft with brand impersonation, customer harassment and fraudulent takedown requests. Instead of relying on a single ransom negotiation, criminals now run parallel campaigns designed to damage the organisation’s reputation and increase the likelihood of payment.

Recent cases indicate that attackers are using spoofed customer service emails, fake legal claims and targeted social media posts to amplify disruption. This approach shows a shift towards psychological leverage, moving beyond encryption and data exposure. Some groups have also been seen contacting an organisation’s suppliers and partners, creating knock on issues across the supply chain.

Why it matters
For UK businesses, this reinforces that modern ransomware is no longer a contained IT incident. It affects brand trust, customer relationships and operational stability. Organisations need integrated response plans that cover communications, legal coordination and supplier engagement. Ensuring data minimisation, strong identity controls and incident readiness will help reduce the impact of multi stage extortion events.

Source
Industry cybersecurity research

OpenSSH flaw prompts urgent patching across Linux systems

A newly disclosed OpenSSH vulnerability affecting several major Linux distributions has prompted security teams to accelerate patching schedules. The issue relates to a flaw in the privilege separation process that, under specific conditions, may allow a local user to escalate privileges. While the vulnerability does not enable remote exploitation on its own, it can be chained with other weaknesses to gain elevated access within a compromised environment.

Vendors have released updated packages and advisories urging organisations to prioritise patching, particularly for servers exposed to internal development teams, automation systems or mixed trust environments. Because OpenSSH underpins secure remote access across the majority of enterprise infrastructure, lagging patch cycles can leave significant portions of an environment open to lateral movement.

Why it matters
OpenSSH is foundational to secure administration. Any privilege related vulnerability increases risk, especially when combined with other attack paths. Organisations should ensure centralised patching, verify configuration hardening and audit for any scripts or tools that may rely on outdated versions. Reviewing access logs and strengthening monitoring around authentication events will provide additional assurance.

Source
Linux vendor advisories

UK supply chain cyber weaknesses highlighted in new assessment

A recent UK focused cyber industry assessment has identified persistent weaknesses in supply chain security, particularly among SMEs that support larger enterprises. Many organisations continue to rely on legacy authentication, inconsistent patching and unsupported software within their supply networks. The assessment also noted that smaller suppliers often lack formal security governance, making them attractive entry points for threat actors looking for indirect routes into more mature organisations.

The report found that while many larger companies have improved their internal security, there remains a significant gap in how cyber requirements are communicated, verified and enforced across supplier ecosystems. This is leading to avoidable incidents where attackers compromise a smaller partner, then pivot into a primary target.

Why it matters
Supplier security gaps remain one of the most common root causes of breaches affecting UK organisations. Stronger third party due diligence, clearer contractual requirements and ongoing monitoring are essential for preventing cascading risk. Organisations should consider establishing minimum baseline security expectations, conducting regular assessments and offering support to strategic suppliers to uplift their maturity.

Source
UK cybersecurity industry assessment

Today’s Key Actions

1. Review ransomware response plans to ensure communications and supplier engagement are included.
2. Patch OpenSSH across all Linux systems and verify configuration hardening.
3. Strengthen supplier due diligence and ensure minimum cyber standards are defined and enforced.
4. Audit privilege escalation paths and monitor authentication logs for anomalies.
5. Validate third party monitoring processes and update risk registers accordingly.

Secarma Insight

Cyber resilience requires more than strong internal defences. Attackers increasingly exploit weaker suppliers, overlooked infrastructure and multi channel pressure tactics. Organisations that invest in governance, patching discipline and supplier assurance place themselves in a far stronger position to grow with confidence despite evolving threats.

Get in touch with us to prioritise your next steps and strengthen your security posture.