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Cyber Adversary Simulation (CyAS): scheme documents now available

NCSC published adversary simulation guidance and the first Cyber Adversary Simulation (CyAS) scheme documents ahead of the scheme's November 2026 launch.

The UK NCSC released guidance on adversary simulation engagements and the first CyAS scheme documents, including the Scheme Standard and the Working Practices Document. The capability-led scheme, developed with cyber oversight bodies, will formally launch in November 2026 and assess companies seeking NCSC-assured provider status. NCSC describes the current version as a minimum viable product to be refined with feedback from buyers and providers.

NCSC UK · 4h agoAdvisory 2 sources

Adversary simulation: what you need to know

UK NCSC publishes guidance on adversary simulation, comparing full spectrum and assumed breach approaches across prerequisites, testing, and reporting phases.

NCSC guidance describes two adversary simulation approaches: full spectrum, starting outside the network with an end-to-end attack, and assumed breach, starting from an internal foothold. The preferred methodology spans three phases - prerequisites (scoping, passive reconnaissance, preparation), testing (active reconnaissance, initial access, internal phase, cleanup), and reporting. The document distinguishes adversary simulation from penetration testing and stresses customer-defined objectives and minimal information sharing.

NCSC UKupdated · 4h agofirst · 4h agoAdvisory 2 sources

Chosen Brick, Iran’s Surveillance Malware

UK, US, and Dutch agencies warn Iranian CHOSEN BRICK malware targets dissidents and journalists via Telegram, harvesting contacts, emails, and messages since 2025.

The UK NCSC, FBI, and Dutch AIVD jointly attributed the CHOSEN BRICK Windows malware family to Iranian intelligence services, used since at least 2025 against dissidents, journalists, and activists worldwide, including in the UK, US, and Netherlands. Operators build rapport over WhatsApp or Telegram, impersonating known contacts or platform support, then deliver lures disguised as installers for Pictory, RunwayML, Norton Antivirus, Telegram, Adobe Flash Player, or KeePass, or fake MRI results. The malware persists via registry Run keys, adds Microsoft Defender exclusions, and uses per-victim Telegram bot IDs for C2, with newer versions adding HTTPS or SOCKS5 proxies. Some victims' data appeared on pro-Iranian leak sites, raising harassment and physical-safety risks.

Security Affairsupdated · 35m agofirst · 6h agoMalware in the wild 8 sources

Cyber Essentials Has Record Year but Takeup Remains Low

UK Cyber Essentials certifications hit a record 61,430 in the year to June 2026, up 20%, but uptake remains low among 5.7 million SMEs.

The UK government awarded a record 61,430 Cyber Essentials certificates between July 2025 and June 2026, a 20% year-over-year increase, including 46,245 basic self-assessed and 15,185 audited CE+ certifications. Roughly three-quarters were recertifications, and uptake remains low against an estimated 5.7 million UK SMEs. An ESET survey found 49% of UK SMEs suffered a cyber incident in the past year, while the Cyber Resilience Pledge and the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aim to push certification through supply chains.

Infosecurity Magazine · 1h agoPolicy & legal

Iranian hackers use CHOSEN BRICK Windows malware to spy on targets

Iranian state-linked hackers use CHOSEN BRICK Windows malware, spread via Telegram and WhatsApp social engineering, to spy on dissidents and journalists worldwide.

US, UK, and Dutch cyber agencies with the FBI issued a joint advisory on Iranian state-linked hackers deploying a Windows malware strain called CHOSEN BRICK against dissidents, activists, and journalists, primarily in the US, UK, and Netherlands. Attacks begin with messages on WhatsApp or Telegram impersonating trusted contacts or technical support, tricking victims into running malicious files disguised as apps such as Pictory, RunwayML, Norton Antivirus, Telegram, and KeePass. The malware persists via Registry Run keys, adds Microsoft Defender exclusions, and uses a per-victim Telegram bot for command-and-control while stealing email, Telegram and WhatsApp data, screenshots, and audio. Stolen data is exfiltrated via Telegram or cloud services like VultrObjects and StorjShare, and sometimes appears on pro-Iranian leak sites, increasing physical risk for dissidents abroad.

BleepingComputerupdated · 35m agofirst · 17h agoThreat actor in the wild 8 sources