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Aug 20, 2024 • 4 min read

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AMD To Acquire ZT Systems For $4.9B
FBI & CISA Cyber Threat Warning

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AMD To Acquire ZT Systems For $4.9B:

AMD, a chipmaker, announced its acquisition of ZT Systems for $4.9 billion, a strategic move to strengthen its position as a partner for companies developing large-scale AI and computing businesses. The deal, comprising both cash and stock, includes a contingent payment of up to $400 million, contingent upon the achievement of certain performance milestones.
ZT Systems, based in New Jersey, specializes in compute design and infrastructure for AI, cloud, and general-purpose computing, making it a valuable addition to AMD’s portfolio. Founded in 1994 and privately held since then, ZT Systems has maintained a close working relationship with major chipmakers such as Nvidia and Intel. The company focuses on areas including server solutions, GPU/accelerators, high-performance computing, 5G, and edge computing. In 2023, ZT Systems raised $850 million in debt, according to PitchBook, marking its only known external funding round.
AMD plans to integrate ZT Systems' computing infrastructure design business while seeking a strategic partner to divest its data center infrastructure manufacturing operations. This acquisition aligns with AMD’s strategy to enhance its ecosystem, complementing its existing investment of around $1 billion in this area. By incorporating ZT Systems’ expertise in AI systems design, AMD aims to improve its offerings in silicon, software, and systems, ultimately helping it to sell more of its chips and related systems.

FBI & CISA Cyber Threat Warning:

The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently issued a warning about a dangerous ransomware group responsible for extorting up to $60 million from individual victims and a total of $500 million so far. This group, previously known as Royal Ransomware, has rebranded as BlackSuit. In an update released on August 7, the FBI and CISA provided detailed information about how BlackSuit conducts its attacks.
The group typically starts by sending phishing emails, which are deceptive emails designed to trick recipients into clicking on links or attachments that give the hackers access to their network. Once the hackers gain access, they disable the victim's security protections, steal as much data as possible, and then deploy ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that locks the victim's systems and makes them inaccessible. The hackers then use the stolen data as leverage, threatening to release it publicly unless the victim pays the ransom.
To defend against these attacks, the FBI recommends several security measures. Organizations should implement strong password protections, such as multi-factor authentication, which requires more than one method of verification, and lockouts after multiple failed login attempts. Keeping systems and software up-to-date is essential to prevent hackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities. Additionally, segmenting networks by dividing them into smaller, isolated sections can help minimize the impact of an attack if it occurs. Security experts emphasize that the best way to deal with ransomware is to prevent it from happening in the first place, and they encourage organizations to take these recommended steps to strengthen their defenses.

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