The IT landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speed, signaling a year rich with innovation and strategic shifts. This week, we dive into the latest updates and breakthroughs from the week ending January 10th, 2025. The digital world is buzzing with fresh ideas and emerging technologies set to redefine business operations in the coming months.
From the rapid acceleration of cloud adoption across industries to the game-changing impact of AI-driven automation, companies are leveraging these cutting-edge tools to stay agile and ahead of the curve. Simultaneously, the growing focus on cybersecurity underscores the ongoing challenge of protecting sensitive data in an increasingly interconnected environment. As these trends unfold, attention turns to the IT events, conferences, and innovations that will dominate discussions throughout 2025.
In this edition, we highlight the top CIO insights and the most influential tech trends currently shaping the industry. Whether you’re guiding your company through digital transformation or staying on top of industry movements, these stories provide the clarity and foresight needed to stay ahead of the competition.
Emerging Trends and Essential CIO Insights for the Week
The Latest in IT Security: Key Developments to Watch
BreachLock Unveils Unified Security Testing Platform for PTaaS, ASM, Continuous Pentesting, and Red Teaming
Eliminating the inefficiencies, silos, unnecessary complexity, and coverage gaps that security practitioners have faced with fragmented security tools, the newly unveiled BreachLock Unified Platform integrates findings from Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS), Attack Surface Management (ASM), and continuous penetration testing and red teaming into one cohesive platform. This unified platform offers unparalleled efficiency, transparency, and flexibility to enterprise security teams.
Some of the key technical capabilities include:
- Unified Asset Discovery
- Consolidated Security Findings
- High-Fidelity Vulnerability Context
- Credential Breach
- Attack Path Validation & Mapping
GlobalLogic and Hitachi Systems Trusted Cyber Management Open Cutting-Edge Security Operations Center in Poland
GlobalLogic Inc. is pleased to announce the opening of a new Security Operations Center (SOC) in Kraków, Poland, that utilizes the capabilities of Hitachi Cyber. This announcement comes as organizations face a critical moment in cybersecurity, with the start of 2025 bringing heightened risks from AI-driven attacks, ransomware-as-a-service, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
“The opening of our state-of-the-art Security Operations Center in Kraków reflects Hitachi Cyber’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding businesses across Europe against an ever-evolving threat landscape. By combining cutting-edge technology with decades of expertise, we are empowering organizations to navigate complexity, ensure compliance, and build resilience in the face of growing cybersecurity challenges. This initiative reinforces our vision of creating a secure digital future, where innovation and security go hand in hand,” states Matt Castonguay, Chief Revenue Officer at Hitachi Systems Trusted Cyber Management.
Cloud Technology Updates
CrowdStrike Achieves FedRAMP Authorization for New Modules to Secure Highly Regulated Industries in the Cloud
CrowdStrike today announced that the CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity platform achieved Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) authorization for three key modules: CrowdStrike Falcon Next-Gen SIEM, CrowdStrike Falcon for IT and CrowdStrike Falcon Data Protection.
“CrowdStrike delivers deep visibility across managed and unmanaged devices, enabling public sector and private industry to meet critical security mandates,” said Michael Sentonas, president, CrowdStrike.
Netskope Threat Labs: Phishing Clicks Nearly Tripled in 2024, Ubiquitous Use of Personal Cloud Apps and GenAI Tools Require Modern Workplace Security to Mitigate Risk
Netskope, a global leader in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), today shared new research showing that, as a result of the growing prevalence and sophistication of phishing attacks, enterprise employees click on phishing lures nearly three times more in 2024 compared to the prior year. The findings, based on data gathered by Netskope from enterprises worldwide, and published as part of Netskope’s annual Cloud & Threat Report, reveal growing security risks related to the persistent use of personal cloud apps and continued adoption of genAI tools in the workplace, underscoring the need to adopt modern data security to proactively manage that risk.
In 2023, genAI came roaring into the workplace, and growing adoption of genAI apps by both organizations and users—as well as the overall volume of genAI apps in use— continued through 2024. Specifically:
- Organizational use grew from 81% of companies using genAI apps in 2023 to 94% in 2024. ChatGPT continues to be the most popular genAI app, being used in 84% of organizations.
- Employee use rate of genAI apps tripled from 2.6% of all people in organizations to 7.8%. Retail and technology organizations lead all industries with an average of more than 13% of all employees using genAI apps monthly.
- Organizations now use an average of 9.6 genAI apps, up from 7.6 a year ago. The top 25% of organizations now use at least 24 genAI apps, whereas the bottom 25% are using 4 genAI apps at most.
What’s Redefining Data Management in 2025
Ionstream.ai Builds AI Managed Services Infrastructure on Juniper Networks AI-Native Data Center Solution
Juniper Networks, a leader in secure, AI-Native Networking, today announced that it has been selected by AI pioneer ionstream.ai to provide data center switching and automated operations for its AI managed services to enterprises.
Following an extensive competitive evaluation process, ionstream.ai selected the Juniper AI Data Center solution to deliver high throughput, low latency connectivity for their GPU as a Service and AI workloads over Ethernet with simplified fabric management and troubleshooting to minimize the ongoing costs of managing an AI service.
Synology Launches ActiveProtect: Simplifying Enterprise Data Protection with Unmatched Security, and Scalability
Synology has announced the release of ActiveProtect, a new line of data protection appliances designed to provide enterprises a unified backup solution with unprecedented simplicity, security and scalability. ActiveProtect integrates backup software, servers, and backup repositories into a seamless, unified platform. This streamlined solution enables businesses to secure their data with ease while minimizing the complexities and costs typically associated with enterprise backup systems.
“Data protection should not be an obstacle to business success. It should help enable success,” said Jia-Yu Liu, Executive Vice President at Synology.
IT Reads of the Week: What’s New
How Network Security Automation Enhances Efficiency and Reduces Human Error
The article explores the importance of network security automation in enhancing operational efficiency and reducing human error in the face of increasingly complex cyber threats. By leveraging automation tools such as vulnerability scanners, SIEM systems, and intrusion detection systems, organizations can improve threat detection, speed up incident response, and ensure consistent security policy enforcement. It highlights how automation minimizes the risk of human mistakes and strengthens overall security posture.
In addition, it also compares network security automation with endpoint security, emphasizing the complementary role of both in safeguarding network infrastructures. It covers the automation challenges, particularly in infrastructure layers, and stresses the need for continuous development in this area. Readers will gain insights into the benefits, tools, and best practices for implementing network security automation to enhance efficiency and protect against evolving cyber risks.
Blending AI with IoT Devices for Enhanced Operational Efficiency
The article explores the transformative impact of integrating AI with IoT devices, enhancing operational efficiency across various industries. By combining the real-time data capabilities of IoT with AI’s analytical and predictive power, organizations can optimize processes, reduce costs, and improve decision-making. Key benefits include real-time decision-making, automation, predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and improved supply chain management.
The article also highlights applications in manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, retail, and smart cities. However, challenges such as data overload, interoperability, security, cost, and scalability must be addressed for successful integration. Best practices like prioritizing security, adopting edge computing, and leveraging scalable cloud platforms are discussed. Future trends such as 5G connectivity, AI-driven IoT security, and decentralized AI are poised to further enhance this integration. Readers will gain valuable insights into the potential and challenges of blending AI with IoT, along with practical guidance for successful implementation.
Bold Ideas, Bright Futures: Voices of Industry Leaders
CIO Influence Interview with Rahul Powar, CEO and Co-Founder of Red Sift
In this interview, Rahul Powar, CEO and Co-Founder of Red Sift, discusses the evolving cybersecurity landscape and how organizations must adapt. He highlights the increasing speed and innovation of cyberattacks, such as SubdoMailing, which exploit poor DNS management and subdomains. He stresses the need for continuous monitoring to defend against such threats. Rahul also emphasizes the role of AI in enhancing cybersecurity, noting that Red Sift uses AI to identify threats quickly, such as malicious invoices and domain security vulnerabilities, through products like Red Sift Radar.
Looking ahead, Rahul points out the rising threats from quantum computing, urging organizations to adopt quantum-resistant security measures now to protect sensitive data from future breaches. He also discusses regional differences in cybersecurity strategies and the varying adoption of security protocols like DMARC. Finally, Rahul advises CIOs and CISOs to position cybersecurity as a critical investment for business continuity, emphasizing the long-term benefits of proactive security measures to protect reputation and reduce risks.
CIO Influence Interview with Steve Leeper, VP of Product Marketing at Datadobi
In this interview, Steve Leeper, VP of Product Marketing at Datadobi, discusses the company’s innovative approach to managing unstructured data. He highlights the challenges organizations face with the exponential growth of unstructured data and how Datadobi’s StorageMAP platform helps businesses tackle these issues. The platform provides detailed insights, data analysis, and visualization, helping organizations optimize data management and streamline decision-making. With the latest version, StorageMAP 7.1, Leeper emphasizes its enhanced scalability, performance, and advanced analytics capabilities.
Leeper also discusses the role of AI in data management, particularly in preparing data for training AI models like GenAI, and the importance of data discovery, classification, and governance. Looking to the future, he shares insights into Datadobi’s roadmap and how the company plans to leverage AI and machine learning to further improve data management processes. Readers will gain valuable knowledge on overcoming data management challenges and optimizing their strategies for a digital-first business ecosystem.
Tech Terms Decoded
This Week’s Breakout Brand
McAfee is a global leader in cybersecurity, dedicated to protecting individuals, businesses, and governments from the evolving threats in the digital landscape. Known for its comprehensive suite of security solutions, McAfee offers innovative tools for endpoint protection, threat detection, data encryption, and network security. With a focus on providing real-time protection, McAfee helps organizations stay ahead of cyber threats by leveraging advanced technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence. Continuously innovating, McAfee enables businesses to safeguard their data, prevent cyberattacks, and ensure compliance, while also simplifying security management for IT teams across industries.
CEO – Greg Johnson
Recent Launch – McAfee Unveils Advanced Threat Detection System Powered by AI for Enhanced Cybersecurity Protection
What’s Ahead: Top Events to Anticipate in 2025
Code BEAM
Date: Mar. 6-7, 2025
Location: Hybrid | San Francisco, CA
Code BEAM has united Erlang, Elixir and Gleam developers for years to grow and progress the community in the spirit of Share. Learn. Inspire. Join us in March for two days of full immersion in all things BEAM: from inspiring talks and workshops to hallway track and meeting new friends.
SXSW 2025
Date: Mar. 7-15, 2025
Location: Austin, TX
The SXSW Conference provides an opportunity for the global community of creatives to encounter cutting-edge ideas, discover new interests, and network with other professionals who share a similar appetite for forward-focused experiences.
HumanX
Date: Mar. 10-13, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Join a thoughtfully selected cohort of the world’s foremost companies, innovators, and policymakers spanning finance, cybersecurity, government, entertainment, healthcare, and beyond, all with power to define the future of AI. HumanX will stand as the unparalleled nexus for AI’s vanguards—practitioners, visionaries, legislators, pioneers, and financiers—to spa
SATELLITE 2025
Date: Mar. 10-13, 2025
Location: Washington DC
From revolutionizing telecommunications to enhancing agricultural practices, satellite technology’s impact on Earth is limitless. At SATELLITE, you’ll join the adventure by connecting with global market leaders, exchanging ideas, forging partnerships, and discovering how your company can thrive in the ever-expanding space economy. SATELLITE is here to help you unlock the full potential of global connectivity.
