Ep. 188 IT Disaster Recovery is More than Rebooting Systems
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
Release Date: 02/20/2025
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
As AI matures, we are starting to see some practical applications. During this episode, we learn that, when used properly, AI can allow for collaboration, reduce reporting time, and include valuable unstructured data into a data set to make better decisions. Christy Burris from North Carolina gives an outline of the challenge her organization had with sharing data. They were struggling to analyze data from 54 sources, so they developed a utility called North Carolina eLink that utilized AI to provide understanding without compromising privacy. She continues with some specifics....
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The father of modern management, Peter Drucker, said “If you can measure it, you can manage it.” Nowhere is this more true than in the DOS’s Continuous Monitoring and Risk Scoring program. This week on Feds At the Edge, CMRS experts explore how advanced technology has enhanced the capabilities of CMRS in defense across the DOD. Robert Kimball if C5ISR highlights today’s networks are so large, innovations in working at scale have to be employed. Communities must understand the principles of cyber defense to achieve effective defense. Tune in on...
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Can artificial intelligence make federal decisions smarter? Artificial intelligence is transforming how government agencies train, manage infrastructure, and make critical choices, but with that power comes high-stakes challenges. This week on Feds At The Edge, experts cut through the hype to explore AI’s real challenges and opportunities for federal leaders. Joe Cheng, CTO for Posit, highlights the core problem: while getting answers from AI is easy, verifying those answers is much harder. Jaime Fitzgibbon, AI/ML Portfolio at DIU, underscores that when it comes...
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AI in software development sounds like a dream, faster coding, cleaner refactoring, and technical reports that actually make sense to stakeholders. But, what's the bad news in the classic good news/bad news scenario? Poisoned training data, compliance risks, and systems that are brittle and will not scale. This week on Feds At The Edge, Alex Gromadzki, Assistant Director of Data Science at US GAO, and Steven Toy, Senior Director, Cloud Infrastructure for ICF, unpack the opportunities and pitfalls of generative AI in federal software development. From source-citing AI to data...
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A looming deadline always gets attention, and for DoD suppliers, the clock is ticking. On October 1, 2025, the Department of Defense will begin including Cybersecurity Maturity Model (CMMC) certification requirements in new contracts. This week on Feds At The Edge, four leading experts cut through the complexity and share practical guidance to help you start, or finish, your CMMC journey. Sean Frazier, Federal Chief Security Officer for Okta, explains why “Know Thy Data” is the key to applying the right level of security where it matters most. Alan...
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Migrating federal systems to the cloud is never simple - but Michael Howard has lived it. This week on Feds At The Edge, we get the unvarnished truth about making the difficult transition from federal on-prem networks to the cloud. Michael Howard, Engineering and Digital Transformation Chief at TRANSCOM, compares available tools, highlights the shift from waterfall to agile development, and explains why quarterly updates no longer cut it. Howard explores the benefits of containerized workloads for portability, the importance of CSP-specific training, and how his team...
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Here is the link to the free webinar on August 27, 2025 2pm EDT Cybersecurity teams are facing a “perfect storm” - more attacks, fewer defenders, and outdated infrastructure. This week on Feds At The Edge, we offer a sneak peek into an upcoming webinar that will teach you how to truly see what’s happening on your network- moving beyond basic monitoring to actionable observation. Brian Chamberlain, Account Executive, USMC/USN, SolarWinds, Chamberlain breaks down why simple monitoring isn’t enough. Without pinpointing blind spots or knowing where to start, agencies waste...
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Everyone knows it’s not just about having data, it’s about having the right data. This week on Feds At The Edge, we’re diving into how federal and state agencies are transforming raw data into trusted, actionable insights that drive better outcomes. Our expert panel breaks down how data modeling is bridging the gap between collection and impact: Natalie Evans Harris, CDO for the State of Maryland, reveals how trust begins with engaging staff, educating users, and gathering feedback. Marcus Thornton, Deputy CDO for the Commonwealth of Virginia,...
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When new technology is introduced, people may not take advantage of the advanced capabilities. The transition to a Zero Trust methodology is causing federal leaders to abandon traditional methods of compliance. Keith Busby from CMS sums up the problem nicely. Some of the systems he supports serves the needs of 150 million Americans. If they don’t leverage the capabilities of the cloud, then they will never be able to move to a much more secure Zero Trust Architecture. Shane Barney from USCIS provides even more shocking numbers. He casually mentions on his log...
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Any individual would know keeping operating systems up to date is a no-brainer when it comes to cybersecurity. But what happens when you’re managing an estimated seven million devices? This is the challenge for the Department of Defense. This week on Feds At The Edge, we unpack the concept of applying Security Technical Implementation Guides, otherwise known as STIG, crucial tools for configuration management. Dr. Kurt Jarvis, Technical Director for Cyber for the Air Force Sustainment Center, explains why each environment's unique risk profile makes STIG essential...
info_outlineDespite federal mandates requiring every agency to have a disaster recovery plan, 6% of the federal government still lacks one entirely.
This week on Feds At the Edge, we explore proven strategies for building effective backup plans and provide timely advice for organizations with basic or intermediary recovery plans looking to enhance their preparedness. We’ll focus on the key pillars of disaster recovery- planning, communication, and continuous updates.
Tommy Baril, Assistant Director, Defense Capabilities and Management Team, for GAO, highlights the need for synchronized disaster recovery plans across federal agencies, stressing strategic communication and role clarity.
Kashif Ansari, Senior Director of Sales Engineering, Commvault, discusses the role of AI in accelerating system recovery, helping identify compromised segments faster than human intervention.
Tune in now on your favorite podcasting platform to uncover the critical distinction between IT disaster recovery and cyber resilience, and gain actionable insights to strengthen your organization’s readiness.