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CISA, NSA and Other Agencies Recommend Hardening PowerShell – Redmondmag.com

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Government cybersecurity organizations on Tuesday announced guidelines for using Microsoft's built-in PowerShell scripting language with Windows, without having it also be leveraged by attackers.

The newly released joint "Cybersecurity Information Sheet" on PowerShell (PDF) was put together by "cybersecurity authorities from the United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom." Participants on the U.S. side included the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA).

The agencies noted that "malicious actors" use PowerShell for their attacks after first gaining network access. However, the authors stopped short of suggesting that organizations remove it. PowerShell has "defensive capabilities," too, they noted. Also, blocking PowerShell "prevents components of the Windows operating system from running properly."

Organizations, though, should uninstall PowerShell version 2 because it has security holes. More recent PowerShell versions, beginning with PowerShell version 5, have "prevention, detection and authentication capabilities" that are useful for defenders.

The security "hardening" technologies to use in conjunction with PowerShell include:

The authors concluded that "PowerShell is essential" to secure the Windows operating systems, and is OK to use after the problems in version 2 were addressed. PowerShell shouldn't be removed, but organizations should harden it, where possible.

Particularly on the logging and detection side, IT pros may need to take some actions to optimally secure PowerShell because they aren't enabled by default.

"Deep Script Block Logging, Module Logging, and Over-the-Shoulder transcription are disabled by default," the guide explained. "The authors recommend enabling the capabilities where feasible."

The agencies recommendations were just intended to apply to organizations running Windows, and not to Linux and macOS environments, according to a footnote in the report.

About the Author

Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.

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CISA, NSA and Other Agencies Recommend Hardening PowerShell - Redmondmag.com

Incoming NSA chief on ‘unproductive’ practice of red-tagging: Let’s stop doing that – Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines Incoming National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos voiced her disapproval Friday of the practice of red-tagging, or conflating progressive critics and activists as armed insurgents, calling it "unproductive."

This comes after incumbent National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, a retired Philippine Army general, launched an offensive against progressive groups and alternative media outfitswith just two weeks left in his term. Advocates called this an attack on press freedom and civil liberties.

Speaking overThe Mangahas Interviews, Carlos questioned the practice of red-tagging popularized as of late under the Duterte administration's anti-insurgency campaign calling it lazy thinking.

"What I will bring into our national security landscape is really my training as a political scientist...when you run out of arguments, you label.It's not a productive thing and it's antithetical to the presumption of innocence, right? Why are we doing things that are not productive? Let's stop doing that," she said in mixed Filipino and English.

"If you have proof, well then you should file a case in court. Does labeling help you? No, so don't waste your time."

Outgoing Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who has accepted his nomination as the next solicitor general, also said the statement earlier this week. The incoming solicitor general said that "labelling" is dangerous and complaints should be filed instead.

Carlos said that the national government should address the root causes of the communist insurgency by looking at problems on the ground.

"The roots are there...address the lack of justice, the lack of opportunities for our youth," she said in Filipino. "And you're killing their future; they can't aspire to be journalists, scientists, engineers, architects...If you kill them, they'll take up arms."

"So we should give them opportunities to study, to be healthy, health is a security issue, and give them opportunities to flourish as an individual, because they will contribute to building a better Philippines. Not by holding a gun, but by becoming a senator, a plumber, a carpenter. Because that's what this is about."

Categorically asked if there would be changes in the controversial National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Carlos said: "That wasn't included when we were briefed...I'll need to study that first [because] there are so many offices involved...I don't want to comment first because I don't understand it yet."

As the government's security adviser, Carlos will be among those behind thecontroversialAnti-Terrorism Council, feared by many to be abuse its powers to limit dissent and undermine democracy under pretext of countering terrorism.

In President Rodrigo Duterte's Philippines, the communist insurgency is the boogeyman up there with the illegal drug trade as public enemy number one. The president's nightly addresses feature lengthy asides that see the chief executive railing against left-leaning activists and drug suspects alike.

This has culminated in the widespread practice of red-tagging,defined by Philippine jurisprudence as the act of labeling, branding, naming and accusing individuals and/or organizations of being left-leaning, subversives, communists or terrorists (used as) a strategy... by State agents, particularly law enforcement agencies and the military, against those perceived to be threats or enemies of the State.

But the Commission on Human Rights has warned that the practice of red-tagging, which has increased in 2020, "violates the constitutional guarantee of presumption of innocence and may have serious implications on the security and movement of individuals and groups involved."

READ:Militarization in Philippines has 'damaging effects' on civic space, democratic freedoms think tank

Many activists and members of progressive and left-leaning groups have pointed out that many who are red-tagged often end up shot and killed by unknown assailants. Rights groups, including the UN Human Rights Office, have said the dangerous practice has been institutionalized in the country.

The Constitution guarantees the presumption of innocence, while leaning towards the left of the political spectrum or even being a communist is not illegal in the Philippines.

Even the government's own National Security Plan 2017-2022 acknowledges what it calls "the root causes of internal conflicts, namely: poverty and social injustice, widespread economic inequity, poor governance, abuse and control of political power, and marginalization of cultural communities."

"Terrorism is hard to define. I teach that. There are over 100 definitions for it. Even the UN cannot ask for a consensus on its definition. Why? Because terrorism is a political-related term," Carlos said.

"Just use terms under the Penal Code because those are defined in the operational component." Franco Luna

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Incoming NSA chief on 'unproductive' practice of red-tagging: Let's stop doing that - Philstar.com

Ex-NSA Moeed proud on son’s selection to Pakistan Under-14 chess team – Pakistan Today

ISLAMABAD: Former national security adviser (NSA) Moeed Yusufs son has qualified for Pakistans Under-14 chess team, he announced on Thursday.

Until now, one of the proudest moments of my life was the first time I wore Pakistans official colours to represent the country internationally as a golfer. This was 25 years ago, Yusuf wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Alhamdulillah my son has made me even prouder this week..by qualifying to be part of Pakistans under-14 chess team that just competed in the West Asian junior Championship. Seeing him in the green blazer is a dream come true for me, he added.

The former NSA said he gave up golf after entering professional life. Am determined to encourage my son to stay the course. Request prayers and best wishes for his and his teammates future success and happiness.

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Ex-NSA Moeed proud on son's selection to Pakistan Under-14 chess team - Pakistan Today

India will stand by its commitment to Afghan Sikhs, Hindus: NSA Doval – ThePrint

New Delhi [India], June 21 (ANI): India will sympathetically look at cases of members of the minority community in Afghanistan applying for visas, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has said and noted that New Delhi will stand by its commitment to Sikhs and Hindus in the neighbouring country.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) clearly states that in case any of the minorities in our neighbouring countries are persecuted on the basis of their religionwe have given visas to large number of Sikhs, Doval said in an exclusive interview with ANI.

As flights are available, some of them will be coming back, others will apply, we will look at their cases very sympathetically, he added.

He was responding to a question on the CAA and if India will be giving visas to more people of minority communities in Afghanistan.

Doval termed the attack on Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Kabul on Saturday last that resulted in the death of two persons as very unfortunate.

It was a very unfortunate incident. Should not have happened. There are forcesterror and violence these are things with which we have to live in modern times. The Government of India is doing everything. It has assured the Sikhs and Hindus out there that India will stand by its commitment, he said. added.

Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) took responsibility for Karte Parwan Gurdwara attack in Kabul.

Following the attack on on the gurdwara, India decided to grant e-visas to over 100 Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan on priority.

There have been other attacks and incidents of violence against religious minorities in Afghanistan.

In October last year,15 to 20 terrorists entered a Gurdwara in the Karta-e-Parwan District of Kabul and tied up the guards.

In March 2020, a deadly attack took place at Sri Guru Har Rai Sahib Gurudwara in Kabuls Short Bazaar area in which at least 27 Sikhs were killed. Islamic State terrorists claimed responsibility for the attack. (ANI)

This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

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India will stand by its commitment to Afghan Sikhs, Hindus: NSA Doval - ThePrint

NSA Ajit Doval calls for cooperation against terrorism ‘without any reservations’ at BRICS – Republic World

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval attended a BRICS meeting with his Chinese counterpart NSA Yang Jiechi on Wednesday wherein he emphasised on the need to bolstercooperation against terrorism "without any reservations". Hewelcomed the cooperation among the five-nation grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to address the issue of terrorism, as per news agency ANI sources. During thevirtual meeting which was hosted by China on the second anniversary of the Galwan Valley clash, bothDovaland Jiechi affirmed "strengthening political and security cooperation" with other members of the union as officials fromBrazil, Russia and South Africa were also present in the meeting.

It is to mention that during the Galwan Valley clash, the Chinese and Indian troops engaged in aggressive melee, face-offs, and skirmishes at locations along the Sino-Indian border.Russian news agency TASS claimed that at least 20 Indian soldiers and 45 Chinese servicemen were killed during the clashes in eastern Ladakh.

Further, both Indian and Chinese NSAs underscored the importance of reforming the multilateral system in order to address global issues with credibility, equity and accountability. Meanwhile, Doval also talked about the COVID-19 pandemic and the drastic shift in climate change and called on the world to work collectively to address the global challenges. The Indian NSA urged the BRICS members to strengthen their cooperation in the areas of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) and outer space and maritime security in order to prevent any terror attacks.

The meeting of NSAs came a week ahead of the BRICS summit which is due to be held on June 24 with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of Brazil and South Africa. Though the Indian PM and Putin had held several telephonic conversations after the onset of the war, this would be the first time when the trio -- India, China, and Russian leaders-- would meet on a common platform along with other BRICS leaders.

Last week, the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the BRICS nations published a joint statement during a virtual conference wherein the members agreed to increase financial collaboration and boost macroeconomic policy coordination. The summit urged the global community to expand partnerships, highlighting that macro-policy coordination is essential in guiding the world economy out of crisis and constructing a robust, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive post-pandemic economic recovery.

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NSA Ajit Doval calls for cooperation against terrorism 'without any reservations' at BRICS - Republic World