Peter Drucker is famous for the saying, "If you can measure it, you can manage it."  This axiom has been applied in the DoD through Defense's Continuous Monitoring and Risk Scoring (CMRS) program. Today, we sat down with CMRS experts to learn how advanced technology has enhanced the capabilities of CMRS in defense across the DoD.

Early CMRS reports gave information, but not the concept of cause. Improved CMRS enables leaders to access reports and identify the causes and potential areas for improvement across an extensive network.

Early attempts at CMRS managed smaller networks and assigned responsibility to designated cybersecurity professionals. Robert Kimball, C5ISR, observes that today's networks are so large that innovations in working at scale had to be employed. Furthermore, he notes that all members of the community must understand the principles of cyber defense to achieve effective defense.

The panel also discussed the future of CMRS, including potential AI enhancements and the importance of a unified information infrastructure.

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 to combat decisions, human judgment must remain at the center. And Chris Ritter, Division Director of Scientific Computing & AI and Director of the Digital Innovation Center of Excellence, Idaho National Laboratory, likens searching for reliable federal data to finding a needle in a haystack, and shares how open-source verification can help. 

AI’s potential is undeniable, but its success in government depends on trust, transparency, and human judgment.  

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform to learn how federal leaders can harness this powerful tool, without losing sight of its limits.  

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 security in the software lifecycle, they reveal why small, testable use cases may be the smartest way forward.  

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform to hear how federal leaders can balance innovation with responsibility as AI reshapes the software development life cycle.  

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 Dinerman, PhD, Senior Manager, Cyber Strategy, Policy, and Privacy at Mitre, puts CMMC in context with other cybersecurity standards, noting its focus on Controlled Unclassified Information. And Jeff Adorno, Field Chief Compliance Officer at ZScaler, warns of risks in the AI era, where sensitive data can unintentionally “leak” into Large Language Models. The panel as a whole highlights how aligning with existing frameworks and using current technologies can demonstrate progress to auditors and ease compliance.  

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform because whether you’re deep into compliance or just getting started, this conversation will help you navigate the evolving landscape of CMMC and beyond. 

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 built a zero-trust-ready cloud environment.  

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform to learn how Kubernetes, DevSecOps, and cloud-native tools can boost efficiency, security, and adaptability. 

Here is the link to the free webinar on August 27, 2025 2pm EDT

Empowering Agencies with Optimized IT Operations preview

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 time, increase risk, and rack up costs. He explores:      Automation: Threats move too fast for humans to manage alone.         Hierarchy: How to prioritize what matters most.           Compliance: Practical takes on NIST 800-207, FIPS 140-2, and Common Criteria.           AI in Action: How artificial intelligence can reveal inefficiencies and free humans to focus on decisions. 

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, 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. 

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 information today is as high as 20TB! 

In order to finance this transformation, Sanjay Koyani from the Department of Labor suggests that agencies take advantage of the Technology Modernization Fund. In fact, they got 15 million from the TMF to enable their digital transformation.

Today’s discussion provides ways to overcome the challenges of massive data sets by leveraging innovation in cloud management tools.

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 for balancing security and usability. While Brian Hajost, COO at SteelCloud, highlights the challenge of automating manual controls.  

Tune in on your favorite podcast platform today for expert insights on balancing security with usability, maintaining continuous compliance, and how AI and large language models could reshape the future of STIG implementation.  

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Fifteen years ago, “continuous monitoring” was as simple as watching a single server down the hall. Today, it’s a high-stakes mission across sprawling hybrid networks being bombarded with data and under constant security threats.  

This week on Feds At The Edge, we explore how federal agencies are modernizing the once-simple concept of Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation (CDM) to protect complex, data-heavy systems.  

Jason Ralph, Director of Security Operations for the Department of Labor, shares candid insights on deploying new CDM tools, highlighting both their potential and the unintended side effects on legacy systems.  

Our panel tackles real-world challenges like monitoring encrypted traffic in a Zero Trust environment, the need for stable network foundations, and how peer community groups can accelerate success. 

Tune in on your favorite podcast platform today to hear practical lessons, hard-won strategies, and fresh perspectives on staying ahead in the federal cyber landscape.