The Pulse of Cloud and Cyber

1) Microsoft and the “Chip Diplomacy”: $15.2B for the UAE

Microsoft officially says it will invest a total of $15.2B in the UAE through 2029; from 2023 through the end of this year, more than $7.3B has already been spent (including a $1.5B stake in G42, roughly $4.6B in data-center CapEx, and $1.2B in operating expenses). The next phase focuses on expanding cloud and AI infrastructure. A sensitive point: U.S. export clearances for Nvidia GPUs—so this is not just money; there’s a geopolitical layer, too. Source: The Official Microsoft Blog

Policy-wise, the investment is a “test case” for handling sensitive U.S. tech with Middle Eastern actors. News coverage underscores permitted access to new chip generations (H100/H200/…), regional build-outs, and links to Microsoft’s prior Gulf efforts. Bottom line: if the UAE becomes a practical AI hub within two years, don’t be surprised—the infrastructure and permissions are lining up. Source: Reuters

2) Google Meet + Google Chat: Meeting chat won’t get lost

Starting November 10, 2025, messages exchanged during Google Meet calls will continue automatically in a shared conversation within Google Chat—so links, files, and key notes remain accessible after the call. Rolling out to Workspace domains; hosts can disable it before the meeting from the Calendar event options. For teams that miss or join late, this is frictionless catch-up. Source: Workspace Updates Blog, +1

Why it matters: Google is weaving “enterprise messaging” into video conferencing so work flows from pre-reads to post-meeting follow-ups in a single thread. Governance and retention (DLP) follow Google Chat policies—crucial for compliance-sensitive orgs. Source: Workspace Updates Blog

3) When “Defenders” turn attackers: the ALPHV/BlackCat case

A federal indictment—filed on October 2, 2025—accuses two security pros (Ryan Clifford Goldberg and Kevin Tyler Martin) plus an accomplice of acting as ALPHV/BlackCat affiliates between May and November 2023, hitting at least five U.S. companies, stealing data, encrypting servers, and demanding ransoms. Court documents detail incidents and sums. This is the primary source—no fluff. Source: CyberScoop

To zoom out: trade reporting paints a sharp picture of insider risk—IR and ransom negotiators allegedly stepping into RaaS using their professional access. Whatever the verdict, the lesson for security teams is clear: rethink access controls, IR activity audits, and contractor conflict-of-interest checks. Sources: CyberScoop, +1

4) Zoom & Data Residency: a new UK data center (2026)

Zoom confirms a new UK data center in 2026 to serve the public sector, healthcare, and financial services with data residency. At launch, core workplace services (Meetings, Webinars, Rooms, Team Chat, Phone, Notes, Docs, and AI Companion) will be covered; Contact Center arrives later. Aim: lower latency and residency choices for UK compliance-driven customers. Source: Zoom

This continues Zoom’s multi-year regionalization across Europe and the Middle East. If you operate in the UK or serve UK users, 2026 is a good checkpoint to revisit routing, retention, and your DPA. Source: Zoom

5) Apple: iOS/iPadOS 26.1 security patch—update now

Apple’s official “security content” page for iOS/iPadOS 26.1—released on November 3, 2025—lists the CVEs and components patched. Per Apple’s norm, details are sparse until updates ship; the “Security Releases” page confirms simultaneous updates for iOS/iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, macOS, and visionOS. If you’re on the 26 branch, install today. Sources: Apple Support, +1

Given the mix of privacy and core system fixes, the practical advice is simple: open Settings > General > Software Update and install 26.1—especially on work devices tied to sensitive apps and data. Source: Apple Support

Editor’s wrap

• Cloud & geopolitics: Microsoft’s $15.2B in the UAE is as much about chip diplomacy as data centers. Sources: The Official Microsoft Blog, +1
• Seamless workflows: Meeting chat that survives the call elevates post-meeting access from “copy/paste” to “continuous thread.” Source: Workspace Updates Blog
• Insider risk is real: The ALPHV case is a wake-up call for access and audit. Source: CyberScoop
• Residency as advantage: Zoom’s UK site is a sales lever in regulated industries. Source: Zoom
• Patch now: If you do one thing today, install Apple’s 26.1. Source: Apple Support

Primary sources

• Microsoft — The Official Microsoft Blog
• Google — Workspace Updates Blog
• U.S. District Court — see coverage via CyberScoop
• Zoom — Zoom Newsroom
• Apple Support — Security content for iOS/iPadOS 26.1; Security Releases