Even in light of some large patch deployments in recent years, this one is big.
A glance at Microsoft's Advance Notification Bulletin shows why.
The number of Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerabilities being addressed is breathtaking -- and a reminder that in today's increasingly automated and fast-evolving threat environment, no hole is too obscure to attract hacker attention.
Or too obscure to avoid patching.
The fact that unpatched vulnerabilities remain a major problem long after patches are released remains one of the great lessons in how human nature -- and human laziness -- grants hackers access.
Take a moment before Tuesday -- take it today, in fact, to make sure that your systems are set for automatic updates.
Remind remote offices and mobiles users to do the same -- although mobile users should also be reminded not to use any auto-update from open-access free wireless sites.
Verify that the patches were downloaded and installed throughout your company.
This isn't exactly rocket science -- which makes patching especially important considering the number of rocket-science level hackers who want access to your machines.