GovLoop

Government agencies have more data than ever. The challenge is turning that information into smarter decisions, better services, and stronger mission outcomes. From AI and analytics to dashboards and data sharing, agencies are finding new ways to put data to work. But success isn't just about collecting information. It's about making it actionable. Join us online Wednesday, Oct.

Free Online Training | Thursday, Oct. 8 | 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT Why Identity Is the Foundation of Mission Success Artificial intelligence is moving fast, and agencies are eager to take advantage of its potential. But as AI adoption grows, so do the challenges of securing users, data, applications, and autonomous agents. In this new environment, identity is no longer simply an access management tool. It's a critical component of mission resiliency. Join us online on Thursday, Oct.

Session 4 3-4 p.m. ET/12-1 p.m. PT Preparing the Future Cyber Workforce [Government Keynote] How the Workforce Must Evolve to Meet Growing Cyber Threats As cyber threats grow in scale and sophistication, agencies need more than new tools. They need a workforce equipped with the right skills, training and mindset to respond.

Agencies are often very confident in their ability to recover from cyberattacks. In fact, according to a recent survey, 95% of federal security officials believe their agencies can restore operations within their Recovery Time Objectives. But confidence and actual capability are different matters, and the same data transfers and AI-driven technology that improve agency operations also create greater cybersecurity risk.

In this video interview, Veeam’s Bill Gemza discusses why agencies are often too confident in their cyber capabilities and how to align their perceptions with operational reality.

Artificial Intelligence, Career, Leadership, Professional Development Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday government operations — from data analysis and forecasting to customer service tools and workflow automation. For many leaders, however, conversations about AI can feel intimidating or overly technical, creating a sense of distance rather than opportunity. The truth is, effective leadership in an AI-enabled environment does not require deep technical expertise.

Career, Leadership, Learning, Professional Development Leadership is often associated with position, authority, or organizational hierarchy. Throughout my leadership journey, I have learned that some of the most influential leaders never held the highest title. An organizational chart does not define leadership. It is defined by the positive influence you have on others. Throughout my military and civilian career, I have watched employees inspire others simply by the way they carried themselves.

Digital services don't just happen. They're powered by the technology working behind the scenes to keep government running. From AI and automation to cloud, data, and cybersecurity, agencies are investing in the tools that help them work smarter, deliver better services, and meet rising public expectations. Join us online Wednesday Oct.

Agencies have typically treated vendor relationships as financial ones, with contract review focused on cost, not cybersecurity. But as third-party applications take on essential functions, data becomes the concern: payroll contractors handle employee data; document-sharing platforms hold confidential files. Each supplier relationship expands the potential attack surface, and agencies often manage hundreds, or even thousands, of them.

It was just one person!   I once sat on the Board of Directors of a regional non-profit. We were having a meeting to decide something — I don’t remember what — and took an initial voice vote to level set. The result: all yeas — except for one person. Just one. Call him Bert. Bert voted nay. We paused. When Bert alone raised his hand with a nay, our Board President didn’t just announce “the yeas have it” and wrap things up. No. He asked us to pause.