Welcome to this week’s CIOInfluence roundup, where we’re sharing the latest updates from the world of IT. Between November 18th and 22nd, several key developments caught our attention that could shape the tech landscape for 2025 and beyond.
In cloud computing, businesses are adopting new solutions that make it easier to scale and manage infrastructure. Data management is evolving, with AI-driven tools improving efficiency and insights. Cybersecurity continues to be a major focus, as threats grow and organizations need smarter defenses. We’ll also highlight upcoming IT events to watch and explain the buzzwords you’ll be hearing more of in the year ahead.
If you’re a CIO, IT professional, or just interested in what’s happening in tech, this roundup is for you. Let’s dive in.
In the Know: Key CIO Trends Defining the Week
Top IT Security Developments You Need to Know
Actfore Launches TRACE: A Revolutionary Auto-Extraction Feature to Streamline Cyber Breach Notification List Generation
Actfore, a leader in AI/ML-powered data mining for cyber breach incident response, today unveiled TRACE (Targeted Retrieval and Automated Content Extraction), a groundbreaking auto-extraction feature to accelerate and improve the accuracy of data mining processes for breach notification list generation. TRACE will be integrated into all future Actfore deployments, underscoring the company’s commitment to delivering innovative, tech-driven solutions for carriers, counsel, and clients.
“TRACE is a testament to Actfore’s dedication to reshaping the incident response landscape with forward-thinking technology,” said Christian Geyer, CEO and Founder of Actfore. “This new feature is a critical step in Actfore’s mission to make data mining faster, more secure, and more accurate, all while reducing the industries’ dependency on manual workflows and off-shore data handling.”
AuthX and NComputing Partner to Simplify and Boost Endpoint Security with Next-Gen Passwordless Access
AuthX and NComputing have joined forces to redefine Identity and Access Management (IAM) across various industries. With their combined expertise, they deliver a seamless, secure, and passwordless authentication solution within NComputing’s LEAF OS endpoint technology. This integrated offering enables frictionless user access, safeguards sensitive data, enhances productivity, and reduces total ownership costs for industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance, technology, education, and government.
In short:
- Integrated Offering: Combines AuthX’s cloud-hosted IAM features like Passwordless Access, MFA, and SSO with NComputing’s LEAF OS endpoint technology for seamless, secure user access.
- Enhanced Efficiency: The solution safeguards sensitive data, boosts productivity, and reduces ownership costs across industries such as healthcare, finance, education, and government.
- LEAF OS Benefits: Transforms outdated devices into high-performance VDI endpoints with centralized management, supporting platforms like Citrix, Microsoft RDS, and Amazon Workspaces.
The Latest Moves in Cloud Technology
Exabeam and Wiz Partner to Strengthen Cloud Security Threat Detection
Exabeam, a global cybersecurity leader that delivers AI-driven security operations, today announced its partnership with Wiz, a leader in cloud security. This collaboration provides organizations with improved threat detection, investigation, and response (TDIR) capabilities, ensuring a more secure and resilient cloud environment. With its open architecture the Exabeam New-Scale Security Operations Platform supports a best-of-breed ecosystem that includes hundreds of product integrations to accelerate time-to-value and strengthen on-premises and cloud security.
“As organizations embrace cloud environments, the surge in cyberattacks is unprecedented, and visibility alone is not enough. Exabeam and Wiz are coming together to deliver what has been a missing piece in enterprise security,” said Steve Wilson, Chief Product Officer at Exabeam.
Uptycs Launches Comprehensive Cloud Security Solution with Full Blast Radius Mitigation for SOC, IT, and Operations
Uptycs, a leader in Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) solutions, has introduced a comprehensive workload protection and blast radius mitigation framework for cloud security, aimed at Security Operations Centers (SOCs), IT, and operations teams. Uptycs is the first to deliver a full-spectrum framework from threat detection to root cause analysis, enhancing visibility, control, and security across environments.
Its single-platform approach unifies key security capabilities, including:
- Runtime observability and threat detection with behavior-based techniques
- Blast radius mitigation to contain and remediate threats
- Deep root cause analysis to trace threats to code level, ensuring quick containment
What’s transforming the Data Management Space?
SailPoint Enhances Identity Security With the Power of Unified Identity Data and AI
SailPoint Technologies, Inc., a leader in unified identity security for enterprises, unveiled its vision for the future of identity security. During his opening keynote at Navigate London, the final event of SailPoint’s 2024 Navigate series, President Matt Mills announced the new SailPoint Identity Graph and the impact it is expected to have on the identity security ecosystem as part of the Atlas platform.
- Key Benefits:
- Simplifies complex data relationships.
- Detects risks and anomalies swiftly.
- Provides a contextual, holistic view of identity interactions.
- Expanded Capabilities: Ingests data from HR, ERP, physical security, and cybersecurity systems, creating a unified visualization of identity landscapes for real-time decision-making.
Paperclip Partners With Apis Productions to Provide Seamless Data Sovereignty and Security
Paperclip, Inc. announced the integration of Paperclip’s SAFE encryption of data in use technology within Apis Productions’ newly announced innovative insurance technology application called Opportunity Scout. Working with Paperclip, Apis will assure that any private consumer data is always encrypted throughout the transactional lifecycle.
“We have had the privilege of working with Apis Productions for many years,” said Suzy Tuck, Senior Vice President of Sales at Paperclip Inc. “This integration is another example of two technology companies integrating to provide next-level products and data security to the Insurtech community.”
Essential Reads on the Latest Tech Trends
Why CIOs Need to Prioritize Quantum-Safe Strategies
The article emphasizes the urgency for CIOs to prioritize quantum-safe strategies in light of the rapid advancement of quantum computing. It highlights the transformative potential of quantum technology across industries, alongside the profound threat it poses to current cryptographic systems, which could become obsolete against cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs).
Key points include:
- The immediate risk of “harvest now, decrypt later” tactics by cybercriminals.
- The need for organizations to adopt quantum-safe cryptographic measures through a phased approach: preparation, organizational transformation, and migration.
- Challenges in transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), such as addressing system dependencies, governance, and interoperability issues.
- The importance of regulatory compliance and cross-industry collaboration in building resilience.
The article underscores that quantum-safe security is a multi-year initiative requiring proactive leadership and investments to protect digital assets, maintain compliance, and prepare for the quantum-driven future.
Integrating Zero-touch Provisioning with AI for Enhanced Network Management
The article explores the transformative potential of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) to enhance network management. It highlights how ZTP simplifies network device deployment by automating configurations and reducing manual intervention, making it ideal for fast-paced enterprise operations. However, traditional ZTP systems face challenges in adapting to dynamic and complex network environments.
Key Highlights:
- Core Benefits of ZTP: ZTP accelerates deployment, reduces errors, and cuts operational costs by automating the configuration of network devices like routers and switches.
- AI Integration: AI elevates ZTP by introducing dynamic configuration, real-time anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, enhanced security, and scalability for large-scale deployments.
- Use Cases: AI-enhanced ZTP benefits enterprise networks, 5G and edge environments, and IoT ecosystems by adapting to local conditions and optimizing device management.
- Challenges: Data dependency, the complexity of AI models, and cybersecurity risks are obstacles, requiring robust architectures and security measures to address.
- Future Trends: The article envisions AI-driven ZTP enabling self-healing networks, adaptive policy automation, and enhanced edge intelligence for distributed networks.
The Thought Leader’s Take: Key Tech Insights This Week
CIO Influence Interview with Aaron Bray, Co-founder and CEO of Phylum
Aaron Bray, Co-founder and CEO of Phylum, discussed the platform’s innovative approach to identifying malicious code in software packages, highlighting its ability to detect threats like typosquatting, dependency confusion, and data theft. He emphasized strategies to counter zero-day attacks, advocating for a first-principles approach to security.
Aaron also explored risks associated with AI-generated code and how Phylum’s real-time threat feeds integrate with existing security tools. He stressed the importance of DevSecOps in embedding security early in the development cycle and forecasted transformative technologies for software supply chain security, including generative AI, advanced application security tools, and enhanced CI/CD solutions.
CIO Interview Featuring Arpan Sarkar, Senior Security Engineer at Vectra AI
Apran, the mind behind Halberd, shared insights into revolutionizing cloud security testing by simplifying processes through a single interface capable of simulating 80+ attack techniques across major platforms like AWS, Azure, and M365. He underscored the role of AI in uncovering hidden risks in cloud configurations, adapting test coverage dynamically, and processing threat intelligence at scale.
Apran also outlined the benefits of multi-cloud testing tools, such as a unified security perspective and cross-platform vulnerability detection. He highlighted key security fundamentals, evolving threats like cloud-native attack tactics, and the need for proactive measures like continuous testing and automation.
Brand of the Week
Tenable is a global leader in cybersecurity, offering advanced solutions that help organizations manage and reduce their cyber risk. With a comprehensive suite of vulnerability management tools, Tenable empowers businesses to identify and address security gaps across their IT environments. Known for its cutting-edge technology, Tenable provides real-time visibility into vulnerabilities, helping organizations prioritize and mitigate threats before they can cause harm. Focused on continuous innovation, Tenable supports businesses in strengthening their security posture while ensuring compliance with industry standards.
CEO – Amit Yoran
Recent Launch – Tenable Unveils New Vulnerability Management Features to Enhance Cyber Resilience
The Future of IT: Must-Watch Events for 2025
CES 2025
7th – 10th January, 2025
Las Vegas, Nevada
One of the biggest conferences in the world of tech, CES 2025’s conference attendees will hear a keynote speech from Delta Airlines’s CEO, Ed Bastian on next-generation technologies.
The global conference will cover advancements in digital health, AI, sustainability, gaming, vehicle tech, generative AI, cybersecurity, beauty and fashion tech, space tech, and more.
SXSW
7th – 13th March, 2025
Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas
SXSW is the best tech summit for creative industry professionals. At this conference, you can immerse yourself in breakthroughs in tech, film, culture, and music and listen to keynote speakers like Barack Obama, Olivia Wilde, and Esther Perel – all of whom have spoken at SXSW in the past.
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