Ep. 210 Data Modeling for State and Local Governments
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
Release Date: 07/31/2025
Ep. 237 Human + AI Prioritizing Higher Value Work
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
AI is relatively new and government professionals need guidance in how to let AI do the basic work while it allows humans to do the higher analytical work. Listeners will gain insight into applied AI in this discussion. Dr. Nancy Washton highlights the variety of AI tools, their use, and the category distinctions needed to understand their outputs. She points out that AI is not a monolithic solution: there are multiple models and applications, so selection should align with professional needs. Dr. Washton makes a brilliant observation when she draws a distinction between traditional compute...
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Ep. 236 Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges: How Technology is Transforming Transportation.
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
What if the solution to our most daunting infrastructure challenges isn't just more concrete, but more clarity? This week on Feds At the Edge, we explore how cutting-edge technology is turning budget constraints into opportunities for smarter, more sustainable growth. Experts from VHB, Portland Bureau of Transportation, Georgia Department of Transportation, Bentley Systems, Inc, and Reynolds, Smith & Hills, discuss how leveraging digital twins - dynamic software-based replicas of physical...
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Ep. 235 Identity Gaps are the New Insider Threat
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
Citizens expect government services to work seamlessly on their phones, and agencies are moving quickly to adapt. But simply extending legacy systems to mobile can leave critical security and usability gaps. This week on Feds At the Edge, experts from California DMV and SailPoint break down three key lessons for building trusted, modern access. First, MFA alone is no longer enough. As attackers find ways around one-time codes, organizations are shifting from basic identity checks to stronger, continuous authentication approaches. ...
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Ep. 234 The States of the States
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
What does a massive county-based state like North Dakota have in common with a compact, town-centered state like Vermont? More than you’d think, and the stakes for their data have never been higher. This week on Feds At the Edge, experts from North Dakota Information Technology, State of Vermont Agency Digital Services, and Palo Alto explore how states bridge geographical and administrative divides to secure their digital future. Despite stark differences in scale and structure, both faces universal challenges: managing massive data...
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Ep. 233 Cybersecurity: Building Resiliency, Reducing Redundancy
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
Most practitioners building cybersecure environments know the basics: simplify system procedures, invest in continuous education, and elevate visibility across the network. But what happens when new mandates are applied to legacy systems? The “bolt-on” approach is often expensive, frustrating, and ineffective. This week on Feds At the Edge, experts from NETCOM, DARPA, and Axonius discuss how automation, AI, and continuous...
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Ep. 232 Harnessing AI and ML for Smarter Cybersecurity
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
Today, we hear how to leverage the much-vaunted AI and ML technologies to make practical cybersecurity improvements for the federal government. The analysis includes comments about setting a base line, prioritizing alerts and a quick dive into the characteristics of Operational Technology (OT). BASELINE: Signature-based risk analysis has proven to be easy to deceive. Alex Maier from August Schell suggests that the solution is a move to a “behavior” based tool. In other words, see where a user's behavior varies from the norm. If that is the case, then you must know what “typical” is all...
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Ep. 231 OT is Not IT
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
One sensor can generate 1.3 million data points per minute. Now imagine hundreds of them on a single military aircraft. OT powers everything from sensors in Air Force fighter jets to floating ocean buoys, yet applying traditional data management strategies to these systems is anything but simple. While many understand that OT controls physical devices, far fewer grasp the scale, velocity, and complexity of the data these systems generate. This week on Feds At the Edge, experts from US Coast Guard, US Strategic Command, Army Test...
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Ep. 230 The Role of Technology in Improving Healthcare Systems
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
As agencies look to modernize healthcare systems, technology leaders face a unique challenge: driving innovation while safeguarding sensitive personal data and meeting strict regulatory requirements. This week on Feds At the Edge, we hear from two unique perspectives on how to modernize healthcare safely, strategically, and effectively. Suresh Soundararajan, CIO for the Virginia Department of Health, explains why technology initiatives fail when they aren’t aligned with organizational strategy, and why success should be measured...
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Ep. 229 Cost-Efficient IT Modernization for State and Local Agencies
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
All government agencies face the challenge of achieving ambitious IT modernization goals while juggling limited resources and seemingly endless needs. This week on Feds At the Edge, experts explore practical strategies to make modernization both achievable and cost-effective. Christine Maii Sakuda, State Chief Information Officer (CIO) and administrator of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services for Hawaii, shares how a dedicated change management advocate and early practitioner engagement can transform digital initiatives, emphasizing that...
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Ep. 228 Building a Compliance Framework for Providers and Agencies
Feds At The Edge by FedInsider
Cloud adoption is accelerating, data is exploding, and agencies are under pressure to understand where cloud provider responsibility end, and where theirs begins. This week on Feds At the Edge, experts from the State of Kansas, GovRAMP, and Palo Alto Networks share practical guidance for navigating today’s cloud landscape. Jeff Maxon, CITO for the State of Kansas, shares how to differentiate between infrastructure and applications and why responsibility shifts to the customer once you move into the application layer. Michael Gregg, Field CIO at Palo Alto Networks,...
info_outlineEveryone 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, shares how a straightforward MOU can streamline data sharing and clarify roles.
- Andrew McGovern, Sr. Principal Consultant at Quest Public Sector, explores how adaptable data models support compliance and set the stage for automation.
Whether you're a policymaker, data professional, or IT leader, this episode is packed with real-world strategies to unlock the full value of your data.
Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and learn how public sector leaders are using data modeling to boost efficiency, build trust, and maximize ROI.