Top 5 Cybersecurity Headlines to Know this Month
Cybersecurity Consulting Manager Larry Kinkaid has hand-picked five security and compliance headlines from the past month that you need to know. Take a look at his top features for December—plus, scroll to see his CISO Pick of the Month for his top new cybersecurity resource:
US Targets TP-Link Routers with Potential Ban
The FCC is eyeing a potential ban on TP-Link routers over concerns of Chinese government surveillance. These budget-friendly devices are everywhere—from small offices to remote setups—making them a sneaky weak link in your network. Time for a quick audit: If TP-Link is in your inventory, start planning for a secure upgrade. Cheaper isn’t always safer.
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Hackers Seek Ransom After State Gov’t Breach
Hackers hit Rhode Island’s benefits portal, forcing a full shutdown and leaving thousands without access to crucial services. The breach highlights a classic case of inadequate safeguards on high-value systems. If your organization handles sensitive user data, this is your cue to double-check your access controls and incident response plan—because the bad guys aren’t taking a holiday break.
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Does Desktop AI Come With a Side of Risk?
Desktop AI tools are booming, but so are the security risks they bring—think data leaks, shadow IT, and unvetted integrations. These tools can supercharge productivity but might also smuggle in vulnerabilities. It’s time to review policies and train users: the smarter the AI, the sneakier the risks.
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Final Rule for CMMC Program Goes Into Effect
The Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements are now live, putting defense contractors officially on the clock. Noncompliance could mean losing contracts, so if your organization touches federal defense work, it’s time to check in on your readiness. Pro tip: Treat compliance as your new favorite holiday tradition—because the DoD certainly will.
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Juniper Warns of Botnet Targeting SSR Devices
Juniper warns that the Mirai botnet is now targeting vulnerabilities in its networking gear, turning enterprise devices into attack zombies. If you’re running Juniper hardware, patch immediately and lock down your configurations. Don’t let your network become the next launchpad for chaos.
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Larry Kinkaid,
Manager, Cybersecurity Consulting
CISO Pick of the Month:
Navigating FedRAMP: Webinar Recap
My friend and colleague, Aaron Hamlin, cybersecurity consulting practice leader at BARR Advisory, spoke alongside experts from 360 Advanced in a webinar earlier this month on all things FedRAMP. Check out the recap to learn about every step of the FedRAMP authorization process, from gap analysis to 3PAO assessment and beyond.
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