Katie Arrington is returning to the Pentagon as the new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Department of Defense, after previously serving in a similar role for acquisition and sustainment. Her appointment follows a period of suspension due to allegations of mishandling classified information, which resulted in her security clearance being revoked by the NSA. Arrington, who first joined the DoD in 2019 and contributed to the development of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, had a varied career that included a stint as a South Carolina lawmaker and an unsuccessful congressional campaign. She previously resigned from the DoD in February 2022, citing the politically charged circumstances surrounding her suspension.

Katie Arrington Returns to Pentagon as New Chief Information Security Officer Breaking Defense

A major data breach involving DM Clinical Research has reportedly compromised over 1.6 million clinical trial records due to an unencrypted database lacking password protection. Security researcher Jeremiah Fowler uncovered the exposure, which included sensitive patient information such as names, birthdates, and medication details. Although the database was secured within 24 hours of notification, the length of time it was accessible remains uncertain, raising concerns about unauthorized access. Experts warn of potential legal ramifications related to personally identifiable information and compliance issues with HIPAA and Title 21 CFR Part 11, as DM Clinical Research could face penalties from pharmaceutical companies despite not being classified as a covered entity under HIPAA.

Massive Data Breach Exposes 1.6 Million Clinical Trial Records BankInfoSecurity

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to lay off approximately 5,200 probationary employees as part of a workforce reduction initiative driven by the Trump administration. This move, revealed in an audio recording from a National Institutes of Health (NIH) meeting, aligns with the government's efforts led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce spending. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will cut about 1,300 positions, while the NIH may see layoffs of up to 1,500 employees. Further complicating the landscape, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has drastically reduced funding for the Affordable Care Act Navigator Program, potentially resulting in additional job losses. Most reporting on these layoffs has come from anonymous sources, as HHS officials have not publicly detailed the situation.

Mass Layoffs Hit HHS and CDC as Trump Administration Cuts Workforce Healthcare Finance News

Health systems are increasingly appointing dedicated leaders to enhance their artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, as exemplified by the recruitment of Girish Nadkarni, MD, at Mount Sinai Health System, where Lisa Stump has been instrumental. This initiative aims to create a formal department dedicated to AI with a focus on improving patient experiences through a center of excellence in digital health. Stump underscores the necessity for health systems to prioritize specific problems amid the rapid evolution of AI technologies, advocating for agility and strategic direction to ensure efforts yield impactful solutions while navigating the challenges of organizational change.

Health Systems Embrace AI Leadership to Transform Patient Care Experience Becker's Hospital Review