Cyber vulnerabilities drop as CISA guidelines gain adoption


 In a positive turn for the industry, a new report indicates a measurable decrease in critical cyber vulnerabilities within healthcare software, attributed largely to the wider adoption of guidelines from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The shift is driven by the "Secure by Design" initiative, which pressures software manufacturers to build security into their products from the ground up, rather than treating it as an aftermarket add-on. This includes eliminating default passwords and offering logging capabilities at no extra cost.


The data suggests that shifting the burden of security from the end-user (hospitals) to the manufacturer is yielding results. As more vendors align with CISA’s voluntary pledges, the attack surface available to hackers is slowly shrinking. However, the article cautions that while software vulnerabilities are trending down, the human element—phishing and social engineering—remains a persistent challenge that technology alone cannot solve, requiring continued investment in staff training and awareness.

Read the original article at: https://healthsystemcio.com/2025/01/15/cisa-cyber-vulnerabilities-on-the-downswing-as-adoption-of-guidelines-gains-momentum-but-work-remains/


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