The 3 Cyber Stories That Actually Matter This Week

Every week I send you a handful of cybersecurity headlines, not just to inform you like a news ticker, but to help you build signals.

So when you're in an interview, team meeting, or writing your next blog post, you're the one connecting the dots before anyone else.

This week, we’ve got threat actors impersonating recruiters, a market slowdown that could affect hiring, and an exclusive opportunity from Apple.

 Here’s what matters and how to turn it into an advantage.

1. North Korean hackers impersonate recruiters to deploy malware during fake job interviews

What happened:
A North Korean group targeted over 200 individuals by pretending to be recruiters in the crypto space.

They used fake interview portals and a malware delivery technique called “ClickFix” to infect victims through command-line execution.

Why it matters:

This is social engineering with a career twist. It targets people actively job hunting and preys on urgency, ambition, and trust in platforms like LinkedIn.

How to turn it into an advantage:
Talk about the rise of career-themed phishing in awareness training.
In interviews, explain how you'd spot and block command-line malware delivery, validate recruiter identities, and why social engineering now extends far beyond the inbox.

Read more on SecurityWeek

And for anyone currently in the job market, I just posted a video going over everything you need to know in the cyber job market right now with UnixGuy:

2. Cybersecurity M&A slows, only 27 deals in August
 What happened:
August saw just 27 cybersecurity mergers and acquisitions,  well below typical levels.

That said, major players like CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, and Accenture are still actively acquiring niche firms to expand capabilities.

Why it matters:

Market slowdowns don’t just affect investors they shift hiring trends, product focus, and org priorities.

A slowdown in M&A might mean fewer new openings, but also more strategic hires in post-merger integrations.

How to turn it into an advantage:

Bring up M&A consolidation in interviews to show industry awareness.

Talk about how org shifts can open up new roles, and how understanding where a company is headed (not just where it is) makes you a smarter applicant.

Read more on SecurityWeek

3. Apple opens 2026 Security Research Device Program for applications
 What happened:

Apple is inviting researchers to apply for its next SRDP  offering specially configured iPhones with shell access and early software builds to find bugs.

The program also connects you to Apple’s top-tier bug bounty payouts.

Why it matters:
This is one of the few ways to build hands-on mobile security skills inside the Apple ecosystem  and get rewarded for it.

How to turn it into an advantage:

Use this as a conversation starter for mobile or bug bounty roles.

Mention the value of SRDP access, what you’d test for, and how experience with mobile exploit chains sets you apart in interviews focused on appsec or reverse engineering.

Read more on SecurityWeek

If you’re still trying to get into cybersecurity, here’s the fastest way in

Reading these emails gives you insight.

But if you're still trying to get your foot in the door especially without a degree or prior IT experience, there's a faster route.

I recommend the CourseCareers IT program.

It's built for people breaking into tech, and it works.

It covers IT fundamentals, hands-on labs, and role-specific prep, so you’re not just learning, you’re moving toward a job in IT, networking, or cybersecurity.

If you're ready to stop watching from the sidelines, this is a great starting point.
Check out the technical training here.

Keep learning. Keep turning headlines into insight.

That’s how you move from watching the field to working in it.

– Sandra