State-sponsored hacktivism attacks have surged 47% since January, merging activism and sophisticated state cyber operations. Recent campaigns like “PhantomShadow” target critical infrastructure using advanced evasion techniques and custom malware. These attacks cause significant disruptions and require robust defenses. Security experts stress enhanced monitoring and threat hunting to combat these evolving threats.

Why does cybersecurity still struggle with professionalization?
Professional standards may address the persistent cyber skills shortage by establishing clear competencies and expectations in the workforce. By aligning education and training with industry