Cybersecurity · Week of Nov 2, 2026
Microsoft partners and device threats: the week in cybersecurity
Two firms built services on Microsoft security tools, while releases on a set-top box botnet and supermarket attacks focused on connected devices.
Microsoft's security stack was the common base for two service announcements this week. Ontinue launched MXDR Essentials, which it says builds on Microsoft's integrated security operations platform, and Above Security joined the Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program to work alongside Microsoft Purview, Defender for Endpoint, Entra ID and Microsoft 365 Copilot. Both companies describe AI as central to their services.
Connected devices and operational technology were the other theme. Plume announced a joint takedown of the X.CPE botnet, which it says was hidden in more than 1.3 million TV set-top boxes across 200 countries. Secomea pointed to a second wave of suspected cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems in Europe. Elsewhere, Unisys reported third-quarter results, CACI announced a $108 million U.S. Air Force contract, and CISOs Connect and QKS Group issued industry recognitions.
Unisys Corporation
Unisys Announces 3Q26 Results
Unisys reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $471.5 million, up 2.5% year over year, and a net loss attributable to the company of $201.0 million, which includes a non-cash pension settlement loss of $151 million, net of tax. The company raised its 2026 constant currency revenue growth guidance to (3.0)% to (1.5)% and reaffirmed non-GAAP operating profit margin guidance of 9.0% to 11.0%.
CACI International Inc
CACI Advances U.S. Air Force Financial Transparency and Mission Readiness
CACI International Inc says the U.S. Air Force awarded it a five-year, $108 million contract to sustain and modernize the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System (DEAMS). CACI says it applies Agile delivery, automated testing, cybersecurity and cloud-enabled operations to the work, and the release states that DEAMS recently received an unqualified audit opinion.
Plume Design, Inc.
Industry Takedown of Botnet Hidden in More Than 1.3 Million TV Set-Top Boxes across 200 Countries
Plume says Google, Plume, TrendAI, Lumen, HUMAN Security, Synthient and Japan's National Police Agency worked together to identify and disrupt the X.CPE botnet. According to Plume, the botnet was hidden in more than 1.3 million TV set-top boxes across 200 countries, and the effort combined security research, threat intelligence and network expertise.
CISOs Connect
CISOs Connect™ Opens Nominations for the 2027 C100 Awards as the CISO Role Enters a New Era
CISOs Connect opened nominations for its 2027 C100 Awards, a peer-judged program that will select 100 security leaders. The organization frames the awards around changes to the CISO role, which it attributes to AI, quantum and global disruption.
Ontinue
Ontinue Extends Microsoft ISOC with 24/7 Managed Security Operations Through New MXDR Essentials Service
Ontinue launched MXDR Essentials, a service that it says extends Microsoft's integrated security operations platform with 24/7 managed security operations. The company says the service combines its agentic AI and automation with round-the-clock human expertise.
Secomea A/S
European supermarket cyberattacks highlight the need for secure remote access to refrigeration systems, says Secomea
Secomea says supermarket chains across Europe have faced a second wave of suspected cyberattacks on their refrigeration systems. The company argues the incidents raise questions about how retailers protect critical operational technology while keeping essential remote services running.
Above Security
Above Security Joins Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program to Add Human Context to Microsoft Purview
Above Security says it has joined the Microsoft for Startups Pegasus Program to add human context to Microsoft Purview. The company says its service works alongside Microsoft Purview, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 Copilot, giving security teams more context from their existing Microsoft tools.
QKS Group
Cleafy Named a Leader in QKS Group SPARK Matrix™: Enterprise Fraud Management, 2026
QKS Group named Cleafy a Leader in its SPARK Matrix: Enterprise Fraud Management, 2026, which assesses providers on Technology Excellence and Customer Impact. QKS Group says it recognized Cleafy for its cyber-fraud convergence approach, real-time attack visibility and explainable fraud detection.
This roundup is written with AI assistance from the press releases listed above, using only what they state. The releases are the companies' own announcements, not GrowTech Host reporting.