Exploring AI Trends and Cybersecurity Evolution in the Federal Tech Landscape with Jason Miller

Jason Miller is the Executive Editor of Federal News Network and has covered the federal technology space over the course of five Presidential administrations. He brings his wealth of knowledge as he joins Tech Transforms to talk about AI, the top things government agencies are working towards this year and his predictions around FedRAMP changes. Jason also pulls on his decades of experience as he discusses events that changed the nation's approach to cybersecurity and the longstanding need to have data that is better, faster and easier to use.

Key Topics

• 00:00 AI's impact on texting and cloud's significance.
• 04:17 Federal Enterprise Risk Management in government tech.
• 07:20 AI trends shifting toward real-time application.
• 11:22 2025 and 2027 deadlines for zero trust.
• 13:31 CISOs and CIOs adapting to modern technology.
• 16:45 Frustration with FedRAMP leads to reform efforts.
• 21:39 Applying similar model to expand decision-making.
• 23:37 GSA discussed OSCAL at private industry day.
• 27:55 CISA's role has grown within DHS.
• 30:33 Increased transparency in cybersecurity changed approach significantly.
• 34:17 Reflecting on the 2006 significance of data.
• 39:19 AFCEA events bring together good people.
• 42:53 Fascination with government architecture and dedicated government workers.
• 44:35 Promoting positivity and accountability in government industry.

Cybersecurity Evolution: Examining Technology's Political Neutrality and AI Commitment Through Administrative Changes

Consistent Focus on Cybersecurity Evolution Across Political Administrations

Jason expressed a clear conviction that technology issues are largely immune to political fluctuation and are a continuity in government agendas. Reflecting on his experience across five administrations, he noted that the foundational technological discussions, such as cloud adoption, cybersecurity enhancement and overall IT improvement are fundamentally preserved through transitions in political leadership. He highlighted that the drive to enhance government IT is typically powered by the resilience and dedication of public servants, who generally carry on valuable reforms and initiatives regardless of the sitting administration's politics. These individuals are essential to sustaining progress and ensuring that technology remains a key priority for effective governance.

Federal IT Policies Consistency: "No one comes in and says, I'm against AI, or cloud is bad, move back on premise, or cybersecurity, defund cybersecurity. I think those are the issues that stay the same." — Jason Miller

Executive Orders and AI Adoption

Addressing the specifics of executive orders, particularly those influencing the implementation and development of artificial intelligence (AI), Jason examined their historical persistence and their potential to shape operational practices in the government sector. He and Mark discussed how the stability of AI-related orders through various administrations is indicative of a broader governmental consensus on the integral role AI holds in modernizing federal operations. Despite changes in leadership, the incoming officials frequently uphold the momentum established by their predecessors when it comes to leveraging AI. Indicating a shared, bipartisan recognition of its strategic importance to the government's future capabilities and efficiencies.

Cybersecurity Evolution: Zero Trust Principles and Network Security Challenges in Federal Agencies

Zero Trust and Cybersecurity Budgeting

During the podcast, Carolyn and Jason delve into the current trends and expectations for federal cybersecurity advancements, with a particular focus on zero trust architecture. Their discussion acknowledged that agencies are on a tight schedule to meet the guidelines set forth by the Office of Management and Budget, which has highlighted 2025 as the target year for civilian agencies to embrace specific zero trust requirements. While the Department of Defense has until 2027.

Moving past the traditional perimeter defense model, zero trust principles necessitate an ongoing and multifaceted approach to security, which includes sizable budget implications. Jason underscored the importance of the 2024 fiscal year. Noting it as the first time federal budgets are being crafted with clear delineations for zero trust capabilities. This shift in focus is exemplified by the rollout of endpoint detection and response (EDR) technologies. Vital components in this architecture that ensure rigorous monitoring and real-time responsiveness to cyber threats.

Understanding the Cybersecurity Evolution

Jason underscored the complexities of network security as federal entities confront the expanding cybersecurity landscape. Highlighted was the layered approach needed to fortify cybersecurity, starting with IAM. This segment illuminated the government's drive to update antiquated systems with modern identification and credentialing processes to better regulate access control. The discussion spilled into a critical analysis of data layer security, emphasizing the necessity for agencies to marshal their applications and data against unauthorized access. Furthermore, Jason hinted at the broader horizon of security measures, which now includes OT and IoT devices. The intertwining of these technologies with standard IT infrastructure adds layers of complexity for security protocols. The conversation shined a light on the massive task that lies ahead as agencies work to comprehend and safeguard the expanded network perimeters and develop strategies to encapsulate a variety of devices under a comprehensive cybersecurity shell.

The Evolution of AI in Cybersecurity: "We can take data that was 3 years ago or data over the last 3 years and look for trends that we can then use for our future. I think what they're looking for now is more real time, more immediate, especially if you think about, like, cybersecurity." — Jason Miller

Innovations and Challenges in Tech Reporting

Timeliness in Problem Reporting

Jason believes that being proactive is vital when it comes to identifying and addressing potential issues within federal agencies. He highlighted that by the time an oversight report, such as those from the Government Accountability Office or an Inspector General's office, is made public, the concerned agency has likely been aware of the issue and has already taken steps to address it. This underlines the criticality of immediate agency reactions to problems. In the context of these reports, Jason suggested reading the agency's responses first. They provide the most current view of what's happening and the actions taken, often making them more newsworthy than the findings of the report itself.

ACT-IAC and AFCEA Gatherings Key to Cybersecurity Evolution Dialogue

Without specifically endorsing any one event, Jason acknowledged the importance of various industry gatherings where government and industry leaders convene to discuss pressing topics. He emphasized the ACT-IAC and the AFCEA events as beneficial arenas that enable him to engage deeply in conversations that can lead to actionable insights and meaningful connections. He also mentioned that these events provide an opportunity to interact with federal agency leaders outside the formal constraints of an office setting. This can lead to more open and candid exchanges of ideas and experiences within the government tech community. The ACT-IAC conferences and AFCEA's branch-specific IT days, according to Jason, yield particularly high-value discussions that contribute to both immediate news items and broader thematic reporting.

Probing the Cybersecurity Evolution

Jason's Insight on Federal Tech Trends

Jason brings a wealth of knowledge specific to federal government technology trends. He highlights AI as a prevalent topic within current discussions. His emphasis on AI signifies the shift from its former buzzword status to a fundamental tool in federal IT arsenals, especially regarding applications in cybersecurity and immediate data analysis. Jason notes that this mirrors the pattern of past tech trends in the industry, where initial hype evolves into concrete implementations. The conversation underscores the fact that while AI is gaining traction in strategic planning and operations, it is critical to discern genuine AI adoption from mere marketing.

AI Shift Reflects Cybersecurity Evolution and Predictive Technology Integration in Government Operations

As the conversation progresses, Jason, Carolyn and Mark explore how the vigorous enthusiasm around AI aligns with patterns observed during the advent of previous technologies. The cycle of tech trends typically begins with a surge of excitement and culminates with the practical integration of technology within government operations. Jason points out that although AI is the topic du jour, the government's drive towards embracing real-time and predictive capabilities of AI is indicative of its elevated role compared to earlier technology hypes. This shift spotlights AI's increasing value in enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making processes across various federal agencies.

Appreciating Government Employees: “There's so many great people who work for the government who want to do the right thing or trying to do the right thing, that work hard every day, that don't just show up at 9 and leave at 5 and take a 2 hour lunch." — Jason Miller

The FedRAMP Overhaul Debate

Rethinking FedRAMP

FedRAMP's reform was a critical topic addressed by Jason, who noted industry-wide eagerness for revising the program's long-standing framework. Not only has the cost of compliance become a pressing issue for businesses aiming to secure their cloud solutions, but the time-consuming journey through the certification labyrinth has compounded their challenges. Advancements in technology and a shift towards better automation capabilities have supported the argument for modernizing FedRAMP. The white paper presented by the General Services Administration responded to such pressures with the goal of making the process more efficient. Jason also mentioned a legislative angle with Representative Connolly's involvement, marking the congressional ear tuned to the private sector's concerns about the program's current state.

Predicting the Future of FedRAMP

Moving forward, while discussing federal efforts to enhance cloud security protocols, Jason described the nuances in predicting FedRAMP's evolution. He cited the Department of Defense's actions as a positive development, in which they suggested frameworks for accepting FedRAMP certifications reciprocally, depending on security levels. This reciprocity aims to foster mutual trust and reduce redundancy in security validations. However, Jason exercised caution in providing a timeline by which tangible reforms might materialize for businesses pursuing FedRAMP accreditations. Despite the uncertainties, he recognized automation, specifically via OSCAL, as a potential accelerant for the much-needed reform, bringing about quicker, more cost-effective compliance processes.

Tracking the Cybersecurity Evolution: From 2006 Data Breach to Contemporary Data Protection Strategies

Analyzing the Cybersecurity Evolution Post-2006 Veterans Affairs Data Mishandling

Jason provided context on the evolution of cybersecurity. Drawing from an incident in 2006 when the Veterans Affairs department mishandled tapes containing sensitive data of millions of veterans. This episode, he explained, was an eye-opener, underscoring the importance of data security within the federal government. The aftermath was a pivot towards greater openness about cybersecurity issues. Moving away from a more secretive posture to one where sharing of information became essential for strengthening overall security. What we observe now is a more concerted effort within government circles to collaborate, engage with industry partners, and cultivate a proactive stance on cybersecurity threats, with agencies actively communicating about and learning from security incidents.

Emphasizing Data Protection

The conversation highlighted the criticality of data protection as it has become the nucleus of many governmental operations and decision-making processes. Since the intrusion into the Office of Personnel Management's records, there has been a palpable shift, gearing towards more robust data safeguards. Jason pointed out how being well-informed about such dynamics is crucial. Entailing an immersion in various activities such as attending industry events, networking with key players, and thorough analysis of inspector general and Governmental Accountability Office reports. Such proactive engagement helps in staying abreast of the current and emerging landscape of federal technology, especially the methodologies and strategies deployed to protect the troves of sensitive data managed by government entities.

About Our Guest

Jason Miller has served as executive editor of Federal News Network since 2008. In this role, he directs the news coverage on all federal issues. He has also produced several news series – among them on whistleblower retaliation at the Small Business Association, the impact of the Technology Modernization Fund and the ever-changing role of agency CIOs.

Episode Links

• FedRAMP Memo 
• ACT-IAC Event
• AFCEA Events