Ever tried to follow a TV show where the main villain had four different names?
Impossible, right?
But that’s exactly what happens in the world of cyber security.
One hacking group can be tracked under completely different names, depending on who’s reporting on them. Microsoft, Google, CrowdStrike and others often use their own labels.
That creates confusion. And worse, it can slow down how quickly experts – and the businesses they protect – can respond to a cyber attack.
That’s why Microsoft and CrowdStrike have announced plans for a new, unified naming system for hacking groups. Think of it like giving each cyber criminal gang one official label that everyone agrees on.
This isn’t just about tidying up the names. It’s about making it faster and easier to understand who’s attacking, how they operate, and how to stop them.
For example, Microsoft might currently call a group Salt Typhoon, while another company calls the same threat GhostEmperor or Operator Panda. Unless you know they’re all the same group, you miss the bigger picture – and when every second counts, that’s dangerous.
Under the new system, groups will be classified by type and origin using weather-themed terms:
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Chinese state-backed groups → “Typhoon”
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Russian groups → “Blizzard”
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Ransomware gangs, commercial spyware developers and others → “Tempest,” “Storm,” or “Tsunami”
A simple idea, but a powerful one.
And here’s why it matters to you:
The clearer cyber threats are identified and communicated, the quicker your IT team – or your security partner like Deycom – can spot patterns and act. That means better intelligence, fewer missed warnings, and a faster response if something suspicious appears.
This kind of collaboration between Microsoft, CrowdStrike, Google and others helps level the playing field for smaller businesses. You don’t need to be a cyber expert to benefit – but you do need to make sure you’ve got the right protections in place.
At Deycom Computer Services, we keep on top of developments like this so your business stays safe without the jargon and confusion.
👉 Want to strengthen your cyber security? Contact the Deycom team today.