Addressing Technical Debt in Data Security and Cloud Environments

Original Broadcast, October 1, 2024

Presented by Lookout & Carahsoft

Jim Coyle, the U.S. Public Sector CTO at Lookout, discusses the pressing issues of technical debt and data security as they relate to federal agencies. He emphasizes that while many agencies are increasingly aware of their accumulated technical debt from legacy systems, they are beginning to see the benefits of adopting innovative, cloud-based solutions that can streamline their operations and enhance data security. Coyle highlights the challenge of understanding what data exists, where it is stored, and who has access to it, indicating that these factors are critical for effectively managing technical debt and safeguarding sensitive information. He also notes a significant shift in focus from merely securing cloud infrastructure to prioritizing the protection of data and applications housed within it. This shift requires the implementation of robust policy controls and risk management strategies, which are vital in mitigating vulnerabilities. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Agencies need to identify what data they have, where it resides, and who accesses it to effectively manage technical debt and enhance security.

2. The conversation around cybersecurity is shifting from securing cloud infrastructure to prioritizing the protection of data and applications housed within the cloud.

3. Success in cybersecurity should be gauged by the increased resilience against adversarial access to sensitive information, alongside improving mission capabilities for federal agencies.