Securing the cloud: Zero trust and beyond

 AI is reshaping higher education, not just in isolated use cases, but across the full campus lifecycle. From student engagement and academic delivery to research and administrative operations, institutions are under increasing pressure to adopt the technology in ways that are both practical and responsible.Join host Charlotte Beisel, associate editor of branded content for GovExec, and Tamara Askew, principal and national lead for AI in Higher Education at Deloitte Consulting LLP, to learn how colleges and universities can take a more connected, campus-wide approach to AI, linking systems, aligning stakeholders and preparing students for a rapidly evolving workforce.

Determining which constituents qualify for benefits and getting them enrolled quickly and accurately remain some of the most complex and high-stakes functions state and local agencies manage. Many are turning to AI to reduce complexity and improve outcomes. But success is multifaceted and requires designing around real people, aligning with policy and supporting frontline staff.Join host Charlotte Beisel, associate editor of branded content for GovExec, and Hardik Machhar, who acts as both the customer growth leader and digital transformation leader focused on AI adoption and products, in exploring how AI is being applied across the benefits journey to streamline processes and create more responsive, human-centered services.

Federal agencies are increasingly data-driven, but the challenge lies in integrating, securing and operationalizing vast amounts of information. In this episode, experts explore how AI and analytics are transforming decision-making, enhancing situational awareness and improving mission readiness.  Kurt Steege, ThunderCat Technology's CTO, Bart Larango, federal industry advisor at Splunk, Daniel Buchholz, Red Cell Section chief for the U.S. Department of State and Mark Canter, CISO at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, discuss data security risks, ethical AI considerations and real-world use cases where agencies are leveraging AI for operational success.

As agencies continue their digital transformation, cloud adoption is essential for mission agility, security and efficiency. This episode dives into how agencies are tackling cloud migration, operational continuity and regulatory compliance while ensuring their systems remain resilient and cost-effective.  ThunderCat Technology's Cloud CTO Nic Perez, Deon James, AI Lead at Google Public Sector and Jeff Marshall, Director of Hosting and Compute at DISA discuss best practices for securing workloads, leveraging AI/ML for performance optimization and navigating federal procurement challenges.

Federal agencies are accelerating cloud adoption, but increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and regulatory mandates require a stronger approach to security. This episode explores how agencies can enhance visibility, improve risk prioritization and strengthen zero trust strategies. Experts discuss multi-cloud security challenges, compliance with federal mandates like FedRAMP and EO 14028, and the role of automation in incident response and vulnerability management.

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing how citizens interact with government agencies and access services. Leaders like Chief AI Officers (CAIOs), CX/EX Officers, and Chief Transformation Officers are driving impactful projects at the IRS, Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and beyond. Join CX pioneer Martha Dorris as she co-moderates this session, highlighting early successes and compelling case studies in AI-driven service delivery.