A recent Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) co-authored by CISA and NSA reveals that cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging zero-day vulnerabilities to breach enterprise networks. The report titled "2023 Top Routinely Exploited Vulnerabilities" identifies 15 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) that have been exploited over the past year, with a notable rise in the initial exploitation of zero-day vulnerabilities—from two last year to eleven this year. NSA's cybersecurity technical director, Jeffrey Dickerson, calls for heightened vigilance and prompt mitigation efforts among network defenders. The report also highlights that many listed vulnerabilities are appearing for the first time, signaling an evolving cyber threat landscape and underscoring the necessity for proactive cybersecurity strategies as exploitation is expected to persist into 2024 and 2025.

Cybersecurity Alert: Zero-Day Vulnerabilities Surge in 2023 Exploitation Report NSA

William Walders has been appointed as the new vice president and chief digital and information officer for The Joint Commission enterprise, effective December 2, 2024. He will oversee the IT and digital strategy, focusing on enhancing digital product offerings and data analytics capabilities. Dr. James Merlino, from The Joint Commission, highlighted Walders' experience in IT growth strategies as beneficial for improving patient safety and care quality in accredited healthcare organizations. Previously, Walders was CIO at BayCare Health System and held senior roles at Health First and VMware, contributing to a solid healthcare IT background. He is also a U.S. Navy veteran.

William Walders Named New CDIO of The Joint Commission, Aiming for Digital Transformation GlobeNewswire

Jeanne de Vries Sands, CIO at Summit Behavioral Healthcare, highlights the growing need for critical thinking skills in organizations, using a personal experience at a hotel to illustrate its absence. Despite the front desk staff's technical correctness in handling her reservation, they failed to offer alternative solutions due to a lack of critical thinking. Sands argues that such shortcomings can lead to lost opportunities and poor customer experiences, calling attention to the importance of elevating employee capabilities from basic task execution to strategic thinking. She stresses that cultivating critical thinking within teams is crucial for improving overall performance and adaptability in organizations.

Cultivating Critical Thinking: Key to Organizational Success and Adaptability LinkedIn

President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security raises questions about the future of cybersecurity funding for states. Noem, who as South Dakota's governor opposed federal cybersecurity grants and did not apply for them in 2022 or 2023, argued that the conditions attached to these funds often outweigh their benefits. Despite her opposition to federal funding, she has championed the cybersecurity sector in South Dakota, signing legislation to bolster the state's capabilities and establishing initiatives to protect local digital infrastructure, including a $7 million allocation for cybersecurity services.

Noem's DHS Nomination Sparks Debate Over Cybersecurity Funding Future Cyberscoop