Critical

Fifth of CISOs Take Time Off to Avoid Patch Tuesday

Infosecurity Magazine

October 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM

Overview

A recent report by Socura reveals that around 20% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are opting to take sick leave or vacation during Patch Tuesday, a day when many software vendors release critical security updates. This trend suggests a growing anxiety among security leaders about the workload associated with these updates, which can be overwhelming due to the number of patches that need to be applied. The report indicates that this avoidance behavior may stem from the stress of managing vulnerabilities and potential threats that come with these updates. This situation raises concerns about the overall security posture of organizations, as skipping these updates can leave systems vulnerable to exploitation. It emphasizes the need for better resource management and support for security teams to ensure they can effectively handle patching responsibilities.

Key Takeaways

Action Required: Companies should ensure timely application of security patches and consider allocating additional resources to support their security teams during Patch Tuesday.
Timeline: Newly disclosed

Original Article Summary

Socura report claims CISOs are calling in sick or taking holiday to miss Patch Tuesday

Impact

Not specified

Exploitation Status

No active exploitation has been reported at this time. However, organizations should still apply patches promptly as proof-of-concept code may exist.

Timeline

Newly disclosed

Remediation

Companies should ensure timely application of security patches and consider allocating additional resources to support their security teams during Patch Tuesday.

Additional Information

This threat intelligence is aggregated from trusted cybersecurity sources. For the most up-to-date information, technical details, and official vendor guidance, please refer to the original article linked below.

Related Topics: This incident relates to Patch, Critical.

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