The Public Sector Show by TechTables TechTables Network

Recorded at the 2024 Phoenix Live Podcast Tour at GMI on April 1st to 3rd.
Featuring:
Ryan Murray, Deputy Director and Chief Information Security Officer, State of ArizonaSee Ryan's past episodes here: https://podcast.techtables.com/guests/ryan-murray/Ralph Johnson, Chief Information Security Officer, State of WashingtonOwen Zorge, Chief Information Security Officer, City of ChandlerCátia Pereira, Manager - Sales Engineering at Kiteworks
In this episode you'll learn:
Building Statewide Cybersecurity Programs: How the State of Arizona has implemented its Cyber Readiness Program to support local governments with advanced cybersecurity tools, improving overall security posture and resource allocation.Fostering Collaboration in Cybersecurity: Insights into how the State of Washington is overcoming mistrust between state and local entities through collaborative initiatives and grant programs to enhance cybersecurity measures across jurisdictions.Effective Cybersecurity Partnerships: Real-world examples from the City of Chandler on the benefits of collaborative purchasing and support systems, and how working with state programs can lead to significant improvements in local cybersecurity defenses.Public-Private Sector Partnerships: The role of companies like Kiteworks in facilitating secure communication and data sharing within public sector organizations, highlighting successful implementations and scalable solutions.Addressing Workforce Challenges: Creative strategies from Arizona and Washington on how to tackle the cybersecurity talent gap, including eliminating degree requirements, providing on-the-job training, and engaging with educational institutions to build a future-ready workforce.Harnessing Emerging Technologies: Practical applications of AI and machine learning in cybersecurity for anomaly detection and autonomous vulnerability management, and the importance of balancing innovative tech adoption with fundamental security practices.Leadership and Strategic Insights: Perspectives from top CISOs on managing cybersecurity in state and local governments, the importance of trust and collaboration, and strategies for continuous improvement in an evolving threat landscape.
Full transcript and show notes
Ryan's LinkedIn
Ralph's LinkedIn
Owen's LinkedIn
Cátia’s LinkedIn

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RECOMMENDED EPISODES
→ #173: Doug Ducey, 23rd Governor of Arizona
→ #174: Jack McCain & Tim Roemer - National Security from State to Local Governments→ #175: Ralph Johnson, Allen Ohanian, Martha Goodwin, and Dr. Muriel Reid – The Human Firewall: Cybersecurity's Next Frontier→ #176: Lester Godsey, Christian Taillon, Tina Carkhuff, and Gary Depreta - Weaving the Cybersecurity Tapestry: The Art of Public Private Collaboration

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PARTNERS
Thanks to our friends at SentinelOne for being our 2024 Podcast & Newsletter Partner
SentinelOne: Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure or click here: https://assets.sentinelone.com/ghe/sentinelone-empowers
Verizon Frontline: The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.
Check out the solutions built for first responders or click here: https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/
SAP: Driving digital transformati

Recorded at the 2024 Phoenix Live Podcast Tour at GMI on April 1st to 3rd.
Lester Godsey, CISO, Maricopa County
Lester serves as the Chief Information Security Officer for Maricopa County, the fourth largest county in the United States by population. With extensive experience in managing cybersecurity risks and implementing robust security protocols, Lester plays a crucial role in safeguarding the county’s digital infrastructure against various cyber threats.

Tina Carkhuff, Industry Executive Advisor, Splunk
Tina is an Industry Executive Advisor at Splunk and the former CIO for the City of Houston. With a deep passion for data analytics, Tina brings valuable insights from her work with Splunk’s platform in detecting and mitigating fraud. Her experience spans across various public sector roles, where she has consistently leveraged data to drive significant improvements in cybersecurity and operational efficiency.

Gary DePreta, Senior Vice President US Public Sector, Cisco
Gary is the Senior Vice President of US Public Sector at Cisco. Having joined Cisco in 2005 and with a brief stint at Splunk, Gary has a unique perspective on the integration of advanced cybersecurity solutions. He is dedicated to addressing the complex challenges faced by public sector entities, particularly in enhancing cybersecurity through innovative technologies and strategic partnerships.

Christian Taillon, Threat Response Engineer, Grand Canyon Education
Christian is a Threat Response Engineer at Grand Canyon Education. He is committed to protecting student and institutional data while training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Christian’s work involves utilizing advanced security technologies and fostering public-private partnerships to bolster cyber defenses within the educational sector.

In this episode you'll learn:
How Maricopa County combats misinformation and disinformation, particularly during election cycles, and the importance of incident response protocols in addressing physical and digital threats.The role of data analytics in fraud detection, exemplified by Splunk’s success in helping states like New Jersey save billions in fraudulent unemployment claims.The impact of Cisco’s acquisition of Splunk on enhancing cybersecurity through the integration of data analytics and threat intelligence.The strategic importance of public-private partnerships in improving cybersecurity defenses, with real-world examples from Grand Canyon Education.The challenges and solutions associated with using AI and machine learning in cybersecurity, including maintaining data privacy and automating threat response.How trust in government can be restored and improved through effective public-private collaborations and innovative use of technology.Full transcript and show notes
Lester's LinkedIn 
Tina's LinkedIn 
Christian LinkedIn
Gary's LinkedIn
***
RECOMMENDED EPISODES
→ #173: Doug Ducey, 23rd Governor of Arizona
→ #174: Jack McCain & Tim Roemer - National Security from State to Local Governments→ #175: Ralph Johnson, Allen Ohanian, Martha Goodwin, and Dr. Muriel Reid – The Human Firewall: Cybersecurity's Next Frontier

***
WHEN YOU'RE READY
📬 TechTables Newsletter
🎥 Upcoming Events
🤝 Sponsor The Public Sector Show by TechTables - Podcast & Newsletter
***
CONNECT🤝 Connect on LinkedIn
🐦 Connect on Twitter
🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company
📽️ Subscribe on YouTube
***
PARTNERS
Thanks to our friends at SentinelOne for being our 2024 Podcast & Newsletter Partner
SentinelOne: Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure or click here: https://assets.sentinelone.com/ghe/sentinelone-empowers
Verizon Frontline: The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.
Check out the solutions built for first responders or click here: https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/
SAP: Driving digital transformation in cities like Copenhag

Recorded at the 2024 Phoenix Live Podcast Tour at GMI on April 1st to 3rd.
Ralph Johnson, the State CISO, Washington State brings a wealth of experience to his role as having previously served as CISO for Los Angeles County and Chief Information Security and Privacy Officer for King County. His appointment was strongly endorsed by Bill Kehoe, who praised Johnson's skills, experience, and information security knowledge as assets that will enhance the state's enterprise security program and data protection efforts.
Allen Ohanian, the Information Security Officer for the Department of Children and Family Services in Los Angeles County brings 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, risk management, and IT across both private and public sectors. His impressive career includes establishing innovative security programs, leading countywide cybersecurity initiatives, and earning multiple Information Security Officer of the Year awards, all while pursuing advanced degrees in cybersecurity, business administration, and psychology.
Martha Goodwin, Senior Sales Engineer Director for SLED at SentinelOne is a seasoned SE Leader with over two decades of experience spanning pre-sales, customer training, post-sales support, and professional services in cybersecurity. Her expertise covers SIEM, deception, network, email, and endpoint security, coupled with a talent for translating complex technical concepts for audiences ranging from IT analysts to CISOs, making her a valuable asset in building strong customer relationships.
Dr. Muriel Reid, CIO for the City of Jackson, Mississippi is an accomplished leader and educator with over 20 years of diverse experience spanning information technology, talent acquisition, education, and customer service. Her expertise in administration, coaching, and staff supervision is complemented by her strong communication skills, making her a versatile professional adept at bridging technology and business needs.
In this episode you'll learn:
The critical components of a human-centric cybersecurity strategy for government agenciesHow to design engaging cybersecurity training that resonates with public sector employeesStrategies for balancing AI and human judgment in threat detection and responseBest practices for building effective public-private partnerships in cybersecurityHow to cultivate a culture of security awareness across your organization and more!Full transcript and show notes
Ralph's LinkedIn 
Allen's LinkedIn 
Martha's LinkedIn
Dr. Muriel's LinkedIn
***
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES
→ #173: Doug Ducey, 23rd Governor of Arizona
→ Morgan Wright episodes (#120 & #168)
***
WHEN YOU'RE READY
📬 TechTables Newsletter
🎥 Upcoming Events
🤝 Sponsor The Public Sector Show by TechTables - Podcast & Newsletter
***
CONNECT🤝 Connect on LinkedIn
🐦 Connect on Twitter
🏛️ Follow on LinkedIn Company
📽️ Subscribe on YouTube
***
PARTNERS
Thanks to our friends at SentinelOne for being our 2024 Podcast & Newsletter Partner
SentinelOne: Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure or click here: https://assets.sentinelone.com/ghe/sentinelone-empowers
Verizon Frontline: The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.
Check out the solutions built for first responders or click here: https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/
SAP: Driving digital transformation in cities like Copenhagen. See how they’re making digital strides.
Download the Case Study Now or click here: https://www.sap.com/documents/2021/02/10c410bc-cc7d-0010-87a3-c30de2ffd8ff.html
***
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In this never-before-seen, closed-door only recording from the ​​2024 TechTables Phoenix Live Podcast​​, Navy veteran Jack McCain, CEO of Blue Sky Vantage, and former Director of Homeland Security and State CISO Tim Roemer & Chief Security Officer at GMI, reveal the alarming reality of how hostile nations are targeting our local communities with cyber attacks. 

You'll learn practical steps your agency must take now to avoid devastating consequences when an attack inevitably strikes.

Don't miss this powerful episode on safeguarding your citizens from growing nation-state actors.
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Before we get into this week’s podcast, I wanted to give a special shout-out to TechTables podcast sponsors: SentinelOne, Verizon, and SAP.
SentinelOne: Transforming state security with AI-powered solutions. Protecting 15,000+ endpoints across 25 agencies.

Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure or click here: https://assets.sentinelone.com/ghe/sentinelone-empowers
Verizon Frontline: The advanced network that keeps first responders connected when it matters most.
Check out the solutions built for first responders or click here: https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/
SAP: Driving digital transformation in cities like Copenhagen. See how they’re making digital strides.
Download the Case Study Now or click here: https://www.sap.com/documents/2021/02/10c410bc-cc7d-0010-87a3-c30de2ffd8ff.html

📬 Subscribe to the newsletter 
🔖 Timestamps
00:35 - Jack McCain's journey from Navy helicopter pilot to CEO of Blue Sky01:20 - How Blue Sky connects allies with strategic US industries01:50 - Tim Roemer’s background in cybersecurity and homeland security05:52 - The motivations behind Jack and Tim's service07:03 - Insights from Vicki Mayo on rescuing Afghan women during the U.S. withdrawal08:30 - Jack and Tim discuss the biggest international threats to public safety09:58 - The impact of nation-state actors on local cybersecurity defenses12:14 - Proactive steps to mitigate cyber threats in local and state governments16:06 - How Blue Sky and GMI are aiding governments with secure technology solutions20:01 - The interplay between global threats and local cybersecurity measures21:10 - Leadership principles from Jack McCain's expansive career23:41 - Quick-fire questions: Final Four predictions, leadership book recommendations, and best local Mexican cuisine in Arizona

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"Cybersecurity is homeland security, cybersecurity is national security." ~ Governor Doug Ducey
I recently had the incredible opportunity to sit down with former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey for an exclusive interview on The Public Sector Show by TechTables. Governor Ducey served as Arizona's 23rd governor from 2015 to 2023, during which time he transformed the state into a national leader in cybersecurity and technology modernization.
In this rare and candid conversation, Governor Ducey shares his firsthand experience prioritizing cybersecurity as Homeland Security. He discusses the innovative strategies his administration implemented to strengthen the "human firewall" and dramatically reduce the state's vulnerability to cyber threats.
But, in case you aren't watching the video, I wanted to pass along a couple of the main points.
Cybersecurity is Homeland Security
Under Governor Ducey's leadership, Arizona prioritized cybersecurity as a critical component of homeland security. The state invested resources to improve cyber resiliency, recognizing that protecting citizens' data is just as important as physical security.
Strengthening the "Human Firewall"
Governor Ducey recognized that 90% of cyber breaches were due to human error. To combat this, he focused on strengthening the "human firewall" by requiring monthly cybersecurity awareness training for state employees using realistic phishing simulations. This hands-on defensive training approach, similar to how sports teams practice, enabled Arizona to dramatically reduce the percentage of employees falling for phishing attempts from 14% to 4%.
Modernizing State Government through Technology Innovation
Arizona took a cloud-first approach, moving from outdated on-prem data centers to Google's secure cloud platform. The state also established a Cyber Command Center to monitor and defend against constant cyber threats in real-time. In his final year, Governor Ducey passed the Whole of State initiative, investing $10 million to provide cybersecurity tools to local governments, protecting them from rising cyberattacks.
Executive Leadership Strategies
In this exclusive interview, Governor Ducey shares his perspective on executive leadership strategies, such as the Arizona Management System for operating government like a lean business. He discusses the importance of metrics, strategic planning, selecting the right people, and driving cultural change when working to improve an organization.
Lessons from an Entrepreneurial Background
Governor Ducey also shares lessons from his entrepreneurial background, including scaling Cold Stone Creamery, which shaped his approach to expanding the ice cream franchise from one store to over 1,400. His experience in the private sector influenced his leadership style and strategies for driving innovation and efficiency in state government. 
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Before we get into this week’s podcast, I wanted to give a special shout-out to TechTables podcast sponsors: SentinelOne, Verizon, and SAP.
SentinelOne's AI-powered security platform to break down silos and protect this state's entire enterprise with real-time data and control. With seamless updates and overhead reduction securing 15,000+ endpoints across 25 agencies, SentinelOne partners to protect critical assets across states and agencies.
Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure or click here: https://assets.sentinelone.com/ghe/sentinelone-empowers
Verizon Frontline is the advanced network for first responders on the front lines. It’s your mission. It’s your Verizon.
More than 35,000 agencies rely on Verizon Frontline and its mission-critical solutions.
Check out the solutions built for first responders or click here: https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/
Overwhelmed by Digital Transformation? Here's How One City Keeps Pace in the Digital Age.
Provide residents and city employees with an even better, happier life through digital transformation.

Chris Chirgwin is the first Chief Information Officer for Santa Barbara County. Now you may know Chris from his remarkable journey in the news as the former CEO of Lanspeed, an IT services firm headquartered in Santa Barbara County, before selling his company.
He transitioned from owning a successful small IT services business to becoming Santa Barbara County's CIO in 2022. Despite the challenges of navigating the public sector, Chris hit the ground running. He implemented EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) principles to set core values, build a strong culture, and establish accountability through goal setting.
Chris has now built a transformational IT department. With a team of 70 IT staff (out of 5,000+ employees and $1.5 billion dollar budget) and a focus on collaboration and empowerment, Chris has really nailed the importance of a positive work culture in attracting top talent. His leadership has led to key modernization initiatives, including a Workday ERP implementation, GIS consolidation, and a public safety radio upgrade.
His entrepreneurial background brings a fresh perspective to Santa Barbara County and the public sector.
Mark your calendars for the 2024 Phoenix Live Podcast Tour in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 1st-3rd, 2024. Chris will be joining us live on the podcast tour!

Learn more here: https://www.techtables.com/2024-phoenix-live-podcast-tour
Before we get into this week’s podcast, I wanted to give a special shout-out to TechTables podcast sponsors: SentinelOne, Verizon, and SAP.
SentinelOne's AI-powered security platform to break down silos and protect this state's entire enterprise with real-time data and control. With seamless updates and overhead reduction securing 15,000+ endpoints across 25 agencies, SentinelOne partners to protect critical assets across states and agencies.
Learn how SentinelOne empowers this state to stay secure or click here: https://assets.sentinelone.com/ghe/sentinelone-empowers
Verizon Frontline is the advanced network for first responders on the front lines. It’s your mission. It’s your Verizon.
More than 35,000 agencies rely on Verizon Frontline and its mission-critical solutions.
Check out the solutions built for first responders or click here: https://www.verizon.com/business/solutions/public-sector/public-safety/
Overwhelmed by Digital Transformation? Here's How One City Keeps Pace in the Digital Age.
Provide residents and city employees with an even better, happier life through digital transformation.
Download the Case Study Now or click here: https://www.sap.com/documents/2021/02/10c410bc-cc7d-0010-87a3-c30de2ffd8ff.html

📬 Subscribe to the newsletter 

In this episode, we explore how Santa Barbara County is pioneering new approaches to culture, accountability, and technology modernization under the leadership of its first CIO, Chris Chirgwin.

Coming from the private sector as a small business owner, Chris shares his journey of implementing EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) principles to transform the county's first-ever centralized IT department. 

We dive into the importance of setting core values, creating a culture of achievement, and establishing visibility and accountability through goal setting. Chris also discusses key modernization initiatives like a new ERP system, consolidating GIS resources, and exploring AI use cases. 

Tune in to hear how Chris drives collaboration, empowers his team, and leverages his entrepreneurial background to bring positive change in the public sector.
🔖 Timestamps

(0:00) Chris's transition from owning a small IT services business to becoming Santa Barbara County's first CIO
(4:31) Navigating the differences between private and public sector leadership
(8:38) Implementing EOS principles to set core values and build a strong culture
(12:48) Using a Smartsheet to drive accountability and track quarterly goals
(15:16) Attracting top talent through a positive work culture
(18:31) Key modernization initiatives: