NEVERHACK Estonia

2024 Through the Eyes of a Threat Intelligence Analyst: What’s Coming Next? Ransomware is evolving. AI is shifting the battlefield. Cyber warfare is no longer just a government concern—it’s hitting businesses harder than ever. In this latest CyberCast, we sat down with a Threat Intelligence Analyst, Maciej Martinek from Recorded Future to break down the key trends shaping cybersecurity this year: 1– Ransomware’s business model is changing. Double extortion was just the beginning—now we’re seeing increased automation, faster deployment, and even ransomware-as-a-service models that make attacks easier than ever to execute. 2– AI: Friend or Foe? The cybersecurity arms race is heating up. While AI is being leveraged to detect and stop threats, attackers are also weaponizing it for hyper-personalized phishing, faster malware creation, and AI-driven social engineering. 3 – Cyber warfare isn’t staying in the shadows. Nation-state-backed attacks are ramping up, and the lines between espionage, sabotage, and cybercrime are blurring. If your organization is part of critical infrastructure, financial services, or tech—this isn’t just theory. You’re a target. So, how do we fight back? Threat intelligence is not just for SOC teams anymore. Every organization needs to think about how they detect, defend, and disrupt emerging threats before they strike. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gAFjyb5K Cyber threats aren’t slowing down—neither should we. What’s your take on the biggest cybersecurity risks of 2024?

The future of cyber threats: what worries You the most? Cybercriminals are no longer just hackers sitting in dark rooms—they are running sophisticated, profit-driven businesses that evolve faster than ever. Ransomware gangs are rebounding within weeks after takedowns. AI is making phishing more believable. Disinformation is flooding our feeds. The conclusion is, that the cyber battlefield is shifting—are we prepared? Tomorrow, we drop a must-listen episode with Maciej Martinek from Recorded Future, where we uncover: > Why ransomware groups like LockBit never really go away > How AI is being weaponized in phishing & influence campaigns > The biggest cyber risks organizations must prepare for in 2025 But first, we want to hear from YOU in the poll below!

Is Estonia Ready for Cyberattacks? Insights from Riigi Infosüsteemi Amet // Estonian Information System Authority (NCSC-EE) 2025 Cybersecurity Yearbook Cyber threats are evolving—becoming more targeted, more sophisticated, and increasingly impacting everyday people. As a digital society, Estonia faces unique cybersecurity challenges, and the latest RIA cybersecurity yearbook "Cyber Security in Estonia 2025" sheds light on the biggest threats and solutions. In the latest CYBERCAST episode, we sit down with Gert Auväärt, Head of RIA’s Cybersecurity Centre, to discuss: ➡️ The biggest cyber risks of 2025 – Over 6,500 major incidents were recorded in Estonia last year alone! How can we defend against them? ➡️ Why cyberattacks affect everyone, not just governments and big businesses – Are you sure your passwords and authentication methods are secure? ➡️ Estonia’s role in global cybersecurity – How we collaborate with NATO, the EU, and other partners to stay ahead of cyber threats. ➡️ Practical cybersecurity tips – Learn how to spot phishing scams, prevent ransomware attacks, and protect your accounts with simple habits. Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it’s everyone’s responsibility. Episode is in Estonian here: https://lnkd.in/dpEj8pJE But RIA's articles from "Cyber Security in Estonia 2025" in English are here: https://lnkd.in/d3bVEwKM

Keynote Speaker Announcement: Jaya Baloo at Nordic-Baltic Security Summit! We are stoked to have Jaya Baloo joining us at Nordic-Baltic Security Summit 2025 as our keynote speaker! With over 20 years of cybersecurity experience, Jaya has shaped global security strategies as the former CISO of Avast and KPN. She sits on key advisory boards, including the Netherlands’ National Cyber Security Centre and the EU Quantum Flagship. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Global CISOs, she’s a driving force in the world of cybersecurity and AI ethics. Jaya will discuss the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, covering: 🔴 Ethical AI in Threat Intelligence & Security Operations – AI should augment, not replace, human decision making. 🔴 Transparency, Traceability & Accountability – No blackbox AI; decisions must be explainable. 🔴 Privacy-Conscious AI in Cyber Defense – Balancing security with privacy while complying with global regulations. Don’t miss out on hearing from one of the most influential voices in the industry! 📅 Date: 11. September 2025 📍 Location: Tallinn Creative Hub 🔗 Register now! https://lnkd.in/dXPRjwzS (PS! some super early birds are still out there ;) ) #NBSS2025 #PredictProtectSucceed #NEVERHACK

Ransomware meets reality—at our latest workshop! Last week, we had an exciting (and slightly chaotic) data breach workshop with WIDEN Legal Estonia —because even the toughest cybersecurity topics can be tackled with a dose of humor. Our participants stepped into shareholders' shoes in a fictional (and slightly shady) investment firm, dabbling in identity loans, medical data monetization, and biometric-backed services. Business was booming—until their annual meeting was hijacked by a hacker, accompanied by a ransomware note. 😱 Thankfully, crisis management kicked in! The company's C(everything)O Ronnie Jaanhold knew exactly who to call first: – Henri Ratnik for legal advice – Jürgen Erm for cybersecurity expertise and Kaspar Jüristo gave an insight into how these hackers work. A great session, proving that preparedness, teamwork, and the right experts make all the difference when facing a cyber crisis.

Today we celebrate Estonia’s freedom, resilience, and never-give-up spirit. This day is a great reminder to stand strong, protect what matters and shape the future. And we'll take a spotlight moment to thank our amazing team at NEVERHACK Estonia! Your hard work, expertise, and relentlessness help safeguard businesses and the digital security that underpins our nation’s independence. Cybersecurity is more than a job – it’s a responsibility and each of you plays a vital role in protecting what matters most. Our CEO Jürgen Erm highlighted: 💬 “The work you do every day helps protect that freedom.” Thanks for your commitment and hard work. Your work has a real impact—not just on our clients but on Estonia as a whole. Happy Independence Day, Estonia! Let’s keep protecting and celebrating our freedom.

Is managing cybersecurity teams a form of art? In our latest CYBERCAST episode, host Ronnie Jaanhold sat down with Kristjan Kaskman—a leadership coach with military experience and a cyber hygiene trainer—to dive into the art of cybersecurity management. From the unique challenges to career growth opportunities, this conversation sheds light on what it really takes to lead in the cyber world. For those who don’t speak Estonian, here are some key takeaways: 🔹 From German Studies to Cybersecurity – Kristjan’s career path started in an unexpected place: studying German! A turn towards communications led him to cybersecurity, proving that there’s no single way into the field. 🔹 Balancing Leadership & Tech – Managing cybersecurity teams isn’t just about knowing the tech—it’s about bridging the gap between business needs and technical execution. 🔹 Keeping Teams Motivated—Want to keep a technical team engaged? Kristjan suggests combining projects, participating in global cybersecurity competitions, and organizing team-building events like hackathons. 🔹 The Shift from Specialist to Manager – Moving from an individual contributor to a leadership role requires a mindset shift—from focusing on personal success to driving team success. 🔹 Managing Cyber Stress – Cybersecurity is high-pressure. Recognizing and addressing stress with clear protocols and well-practiced routines helps teams stay sharp without burning out. 🔹 Fostering a Positive Team Culture—Understanding what motivates each team member and creating an engaging work environment are key to long-term success. 🔹 Avoiding Unhealthy Competition—Pitting teams against each other for rewards can harm collaboration. Instead, focus on fostering a culture of shared success. So, is cybersecurity leadership an art form? We think so. But what’s your take? 🎧 Listen to the full episode in Estonian here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/df2yJ2qV

IoT: The Silent Backdoor to Cyber Attacks Rik Ferguson gave a keynote at the Nordic-Baltic Security Summit last year, and the message was clear – you can’t secure what you can’t see. That’s exactly why nation-state actors and APTs increasingly target IoT devices—they are often invisible, unmanaged, and unpatched. A single internet-facing IP camera can serve as a gateway for attackers: 🔴 Exploit the camera’s vulnerability 🔴 Pivot into the Windows environment 🔴 Establish a reverse tunnel for command & control 🔴 Deploy ransomware 🔴 Move laterally into the OT network to disrupt operations (e.g., turning off heating & ventilation to pressure victims into paying) These mixed-device threats aren’t just theoretical—they’re happening now. IoT has become a prime entry point for cybercriminals, and businesses need to rethink how they monitor, manage, and secure these devices. Read more about his thoughts: https://lnkd.in/d9n32h86 *** Join us at this year's Nordic-Baltic Security Summit to stay ahead of the curve and connect with industry leaders! #NBSS2025 #PredictProtectSucceed #NEVERHACK

How to unknow the unknowns and how to prepare for them? Listen to what Janis Vanags had to say about it during the Nordic-Baltic Security Summit last year. "The world is a fantastic place for those who are prepared." Read the article: https://lnkd.in/da5S_jHX *** And don't forget to join us at this year's Nordic-Baltic Security Summit to stay ahead of the curve and connect with industry leaders! #NBSS2025 #PredictProtectSucceed #NEVERHACK

February is an awesome month for celebrating our people at NEVERHACK Estonia! Here, we will spotlight eight remarkable team members who have reached their 5- and 10-year milestones. They continuously push boundaries and elevate our customers’ cyber performance every day. But we spotlight them a bit differently this time. Scroll through the pictures to see what fun memes they found to express their work in cybersecurity and what they said about working here. Their dedication, expertise, and genuine passion for innovation embody everything we stand for at NEVERHACK. We couldn’t be prouder of the impact they’ve made—and continue to make—as we grow and evolve together. :) Join us in congratulating these phenomenal colleagues on their well-deserved anniversaries! Here’s to many more years of protecting our clients and making cyber performance better than ever. Pärt Veske, Jürgen Erm, Aleksei Zjabkin, Velmar Piibeleht, Kaspar Jüristo, Andres Lepik, Sander Avingo, Jüri Voronov – you are our solid rocks! 💪