The arrests of researchers hired to test the cyber and physical defenses of an Iowa courthouse have raised alarms in the cybersecurity community. State officials said they were unaware of the tactics that Coalfire employees would be using; the employees have been charged with burglary, and although charges have since been reduced, they have not been dropped.

Israeli startup Cylus focuses on cybersecurity for the railroad industry, a niche expected to reach $12 billion in 2027. The company makes products to improve the security of traffic-control devices and signaling systems, many of which were designed long before cyberthreats were an issue.

Facebook has removed 5.4 billion fake accounts on its main platform this year -- up considerably from last year's roughly 3.3 billion -- and says up to 5% of the platform's 2.5 billion monthly active users might be fake accounts. The company is attempting to avert an expected surge of fake and misleading content as the 2020 presidential election approaches.

Amazon Web Services has launched AWS Data Exchange, which grants customers access to more than 1,000 data-based products from providers such as Reuters, Foursquare, Change Healthcare, Deloitte, Dun & Bradstreet and Pitney Bowes. In turn, the service will allow data providers to reach AWS customers more easily by removing the need to develop and maintain infrastructure for data storage, delivery and billing.

An Experian survey has found that 20% of Americans are willing to risk identity theft to score a holiday shopping deal. Experian executive Rod Griffin notes that merchant reputability should concern all consumers and that consumers should take care when sharing information.

Veterans experience identity theft at twice the rate of civilians, partly because the practice of frequently showing their identity credentials is ingrained from their years in the military, says Scott Higgins of Veterans Advantage. Several states, including New York, have enacted laws aimed at protecting veterans from fraud.

The data of roughly 152,000 patients of the St. Louis-based Betty Jean Kerr People's Health Centers was breached two months ago, and the health care provider is offering free credit monitoring to anyone affected. Leaked data may include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and insurance information.

The California Consumer Privacy Act presents a problem: How do organizations verify that users who ask that their data be removed are who they say they are? Sovrin Foundation executives recently discussed identity verification and other issues, noting that collaboration among trustworthy organizations will be vital.

Google is partnering with Lookout, Zimperium and ESET to scan new apps in an effort to improve the security of offerings on its Play Store. The companies, which approach the task differently, will look for types of adware, ransomware and banking malware, among other things.

Podcasts are a growing forum for businesses, including law firms, to display expertise, Frank Ready writes in an overview of how firms might promote their services. But consider this caveat from Jonathan Schwartz, host of "Timely Notice" for Goldberg Segalla: "It requires a lot of time and effort and commitment."