HardenStance
@hardenstance.bsky.social
Principal Analyst, HardenStance. Trusted research analysis & insight in IT & telecom security. Supporting democratic pluralism. Don’t believe anything until Russia denies it.
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HardenStance
@hardenstance.bsky.social
· Jun 19
Making Cybersecurity a Business Imperative | Bitdefender Connect & Protect
YouTube video by Bitdefender
www.youtube.com
@bitdefender.bsky.social, interviwed me recently about the market opportunity for telecom operators in selling cybersecurity services to consumers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQSi...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQSi...
Reposted by HardenStance
NEW: last night, the US govt launched an assault on the ‘global censorship industrial complex’, aka European tech researchers/campaigners.
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
A message to America: we are not your enemy
Last night, the US launched an all-out assault on the "global censorship industrial complex", I respond with some deep breaths, solidarity and a vibey video (it's all I have)
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:52 AM
NEW: last night, the US govt launched an assault on the ‘global censorship industrial complex’, aka European tech researchers/campaigners.
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
It’s a deeply chilling move & speaks as to why we need international solidarity more than ever.
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Not a lot of cheer to be had out there but The Economist’s assessment of Syria as its country of the year for 2025 offers some respite.
It has been a turbulent year, with Donald Trump disrupting global trade and horrific conflicts scarring places such as Gaza and Sudan. But some places got better, including our choice for the country of the year
The Economist’s country of the year for 2025
Which country improved the most this year?
econ.st
December 24, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Not a lot of cheer to be had out there but The Economist’s assessment of Syria as its country of the year for 2025 offers some respite.
Putin welcomed to Alaska. Applauded even. Thierry Breton banned from entering the country. Got it.
December 24, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Putin welcomed to Alaska. Applauded even. Thierry Breton banned from entering the country. Got it.
Reposted by HardenStance
I mean yeah it’s an authoritarian takeover but can we take some comfort in the fact that the people doing it are INSANELY stupid?
December 23, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I mean yeah it’s an authoritarian takeover but can we take some comfort in the fact that the people doing it are INSANELY stupid?
Reposted by HardenStance
DOJ briefly uploaded this letter from Jeff Epstein to serial child molester Larry Nassar:
"Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to 'grab snatch,' whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system."
"Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to 'grab snatch,' whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system."
December 23, 2025 at 6:03 AM
DOJ briefly uploaded this letter from Jeff Epstein to serial child molester Larry Nassar:
"Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to 'grab snatch,' whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system."
"Our president shares our love of young, nubile girls. When a young beauty walked by he loved to 'grab snatch,' whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system."
“The reality is that Vladimir Putin and Russia set out to conquer Ukraine as a whole, to change its regime and prevent the existence of a nation state called Ukraine, and they have totally failed.”
Very good Observer interview with Finnish President #AlexanderStubb.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Very good Observer interview with Finnish President #AlexanderStubb.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Putin has failed, says Finland’s leader, but the shift in...
Alexander Stubb warns that Russia will still test Europe, especially given mixed messages coming from the White House
observer.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 11:19 AM
“The reality is that Vladimir Putin and Russia set out to conquer Ukraine as a whole, to change its regime and prevent the existence of a nation state called Ukraine, and they have totally failed.”
Very good Observer interview with Finnish President #AlexanderStubb.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Very good Observer interview with Finnish President #AlexanderStubb.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Reposted by HardenStance
CBS paid the president of the United States millions in bribe money and now they censor news reports so it does not annoy him. I don’t know how much plainer we can put this.
December 22, 2025 at 12:14 PM
CBS paid the president of the United States millions in bribe money and now they censor news reports so it does not annoy him. I don’t know how much plainer we can put this.
Reposted by HardenStance
Europe gets serious about cutting digital umbilical chord with Uncle Sam's big tech
Europe gets serious about cutting digital umbilical chord with Uncle Sam's big tech
Public bodies migrate in the bloc as hyperscalers claim sovereignty
Feature Europe’s quest for digital sovereignty is hampered by a 90 per cent dependency on US cloud infrastructure, claims Cristina Caffarra, a competition expert and a driving force behind the Eurostack initiative.…
dlvr.it
December 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Europe gets serious about cutting digital umbilical chord with Uncle Sam's big tech
Reposted by HardenStance
Donald Trump has made it his explicit policy to interfere in European politics and ‘cultivate resistance’ in the UK and elsewhere.
The government should include the US administration in the scope of its investigation.
The government should include the US administration in the scope of its investigation.
December 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Donald Trump has made it his explicit policy to interfere in European politics and ‘cultivate resistance’ in the UK and elsewhere.
The government should include the US administration in the scope of its investigation.
The government should include the US administration in the scope of its investigation.
Reposted by HardenStance
The tragic reality about violence against women and girls: unless it's an issue which can be weaponised to bash trans people or migrants no one gives a fuck.
December 19, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The tragic reality about violence against women and girls: unless it's an issue which can be weaponised to bash trans people or migrants no one gives a fuck.
“The UK's communications regulator found that in June 2025, just a third of those aged 18-34 agreed the internet is good for society.”
Faith in the internet is fading among young Brits
Faith in the internet is fading among young Brits
Ofcom survey finds 18-34s increasingly see life online as bad for society and their mental health
Young Brits are souring on the internet, with increasing numbers seeing it as damaging to society and their mental health, according to latest research published by Ofcom.…
dlvr.it
December 19, 2025 at 10:35 AM
“The UK's communications regulator found that in June 2025, just a third of those aged 18-34 agreed the internet is good for society.”
Reposted by HardenStance
On both right and left, there's anger about the recent assessments of Russia's threat to the UK and the rest of Europe, and about the need for us to prepare to meet it. There's a lot I could say here (as my students know), but most of it boils down to two things. 🧵
December 18, 2025 at 8:33 PM
On both right and left, there's anger about the recent assessments of Russia's threat to the UK and the rest of Europe, and about the need for us to prepare to meet it. There's a lot I could say here (as my students know), but most of it boils down to two things. 🧵
Reposted by HardenStance
Russia has no plans to invade:
Moldova.
Ok. But not Georgia
Ok but not Ukraine.
Ok, Just Crimea
Ok, just Crimea & part of Donetsk
Ok, Just Crimea & all of Donetsk
Ok, Just Crimea & all of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk & Zaporizhzhia
Ok, all of Ukraine
But Russia won't attack EU
Moldova.
Ok. But not Georgia
Ok but not Ukraine.
Ok, Just Crimea
Ok, just Crimea & part of Donetsk
Ok, Just Crimea & all of Donetsk
Ok, Just Crimea & all of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk & Zaporizhzhia
Ok, all of Ukraine
But Russia won't attack EU
December 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Russia has no plans to invade:
Moldova.
Ok. But not Georgia
Ok but not Ukraine.
Ok, Just Crimea
Ok, just Crimea & part of Donetsk
Ok, Just Crimea & all of Donetsk
Ok, Just Crimea & all of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk & Zaporizhzhia
Ok, all of Ukraine
But Russia won't attack EU
Moldova.
Ok. But not Georgia
Ok but not Ukraine.
Ok, Just Crimea
Ok, just Crimea & part of Donetsk
Ok, Just Crimea & all of Donetsk
Ok, Just Crimea & all of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk & Zaporizhzhia
Ok, all of Ukraine
But Russia won't attack EU
Tusk: “I want this to finally sink in...Ukrainian independence pushes the risk of aggression or war away from Polish borders. Conversely, the fall of Ukraine as a result of this war would mean a direct threat to Poland,” he says
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Polish independence ‘under threat’ if EU cannot come to decision on giving Russian assets to Ukraine, says Poland’s Tusk – Europe live
Warning comes as EU leaders attempt to reduce the risks from Russian retaliation against Belgium, which holds most of the €210bn of frozen Russian assets
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Tusk: “I want this to finally sink in...Ukrainian independence pushes the risk of aggression or war away from Polish borders. Conversely, the fall of Ukraine as a result of this war would mean a direct threat to Poland,” he says
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Bolton: "I think the diminution of Trump's power, the loss of his ability to intimidate Republicans, has already begun with the results of the 2025 elections."
www.youtube.com/shorts/-VUmP...
www.youtube.com/shorts/-VUmP...
John Bolton: “Trump is on a downhill slope”
YouTube video by The Economist
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Bolton: "I think the diminution of Trump's power, the loss of his ability to intimidate Republicans, has already begun with the results of the 2025 elections."
www.youtube.com/shorts/-VUmP...
www.youtube.com/shorts/-VUmP...
Reposted by HardenStance
Putin seethes with contempt for Europe, describing them as "подсвинки" (padsvinki, literally translating to "sucking pigs" or "young swine." In this context, a derogatory term to describe European leaders as subservient followers of U.S. policy).
Doesn't seem in the mood for peace.
Doesn't seem in the mood for peace.
December 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Putin seethes with contempt for Europe, describing them as "подсвинки" (padsvinki, literally translating to "sucking pigs" or "young swine." In this context, a derogatory term to describe European leaders as subservient followers of U.S. policy).
Doesn't seem in the mood for peace.
Doesn't seem in the mood for peace.
Reposted by HardenStance
Russian hacktivists hacked and tried to alter the water levels in a public fountain in the Netherlands
Dutch military security service MIVD described the hack as "the first Russian sabotage attack in the Netherlands."
www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/r...
Dutch military security service MIVD described the hack as "the first Russian sabotage attack in the Netherlands."
www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/r...
Russische hackgroep had toegang tot openbare waterfontein in Nederland
Een Russische hackgroep is in 2024 in het besturingssysteem gekomen van een fontein in het centrum van een Nederlandse stad. Eenmaal binnen probeerden de hackers vergeefs met de waardes van het water ...
www.volkskrant.nl
December 16, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Russian hacktivists hacked and tried to alter the water levels in a public fountain in the Netherlands
Dutch military security service MIVD described the hack as "the first Russian sabotage attack in the Netherlands."
www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/r...
Dutch military security service MIVD described the hack as "the first Russian sabotage attack in the Netherlands."
www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/r...
Reposted by HardenStance
Big announcement from Gov. Newsom:
December 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Big announcement from Gov. Newsom:
This is perhaps an easier concession for Ukraine to make than it appears. After all, 5-10 years hence don’t other NATO members want to be far less dependent on the U.S for their defence than they are now too?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Ukraine willing to drop ambitions to join Nato, Zelenskyy says
Move marks big shift for Ukraine, which has fought to join Nato as safeguard against Russian attacks
www.theguardian.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:55 PM
This is perhaps an easier concession for Ukraine to make than it appears. After all, 5-10 years hence don’t other NATO members want to be far less dependent on the U.S for their defence than they are now too?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by HardenStance
This is fucking grim. Somebody invented a white guy, an "IT professional" named Edward Crabtree, who stopped the Bondi shooting and spread it all over the internet, which was picked up by AI agents and slop aggregation sites.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
December 14, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This is fucking grim. Somebody invented a white guy, an "IT professional" named Edward Crabtree, who stopped the Bondi shooting and spread it all over the internet, which was picked up by AI agents and slop aggregation sites.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
The real hero is a fruit stand owner named Ahmed el Ahmed.
Reposted by HardenStance
We (@crossdale.bsky.social, Christina Pantazis, @roxana-pessoa.bsky.social, Tiê Franco Brotto and I) present the first academic peer-reviewed article, studying the criminalisation and repression of climate and environmental protest as a global phenomenon. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
December 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
We (@crossdale.bsky.social, Christina Pantazis, @roxana-pessoa.bsky.social, Tiê Franco Brotto and I) present the first academic peer-reviewed article, studying the criminalisation and repression of climate and environmental protest as a global phenomenon. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
What American security guarantees can Ukraine trust? Any?
December 13, 2025 at 11:50 AM
What American security guarantees can Ukraine trust? Any?
Reposted by HardenStance
OMG we only went and bloody won!! 🎉🎉
In barely two years Democracy for Sale has gone from nothing to winning a British journalism award
Am absolutely blown away!! Thanks to everyone who reads D4S and supports us. Couldn’t do it without you all 😊
In barely two years Democracy for Sale has gone from nothing to winning a British journalism award
Am absolutely blown away!! Thanks to everyone who reads D4S and supports us. Couldn’t do it without you all 😊
Congrats to Specialist Journalism winners @petergeoghegan.bsky.social Jenna Corderoy and Lucas Amin of Democracy for Sale #BJA2025
December 11, 2025 at 9:58 PM
OMG we only went and bloody won!! 🎉🎉
In barely two years Democracy for Sale has gone from nothing to winning a British journalism award
Am absolutely blown away!! Thanks to everyone who reads D4S and supports us. Couldn’t do it without you all 😊
In barely two years Democracy for Sale has gone from nothing to winning a British journalism award
Am absolutely blown away!! Thanks to everyone who reads D4S and supports us. Couldn’t do it without you all 😊