USDA’s Digital Transformation | Employee Financial Security | Modernizing DoD IT

Enhancing Federal Employee Financial Security

Shane Canfield, CEO of WAEPA, highlights the importance of life insurance as part of federal employees’ financial planning during Open Season. He emphasizes that while life insurance is often overlooked, it is essential for covering current debts and ensuring future income for loved ones. WAEPA, a non-profit organization serving federal workers since 1943, provides a competitive alternative to other life insurance options, offering lower premiums, higher coverage limits (up to $1.5 million), and valuable riders such as long-term care. Canfield also shares the portability of WAEPA’s plans, allowing employees to retain their coverage even after retiring or leaving federal service, which sets it apart from many competitors. He encourages federal employees to evaluate their individual financial needs like mortgages and future educational costs, rather than relying on generic formulas. This tailored approach ensures that families are financially secure, regardless of future uncertainties.

Key Takeaways:

1. WAEPA offers up to $1.5 million in life insurance at lower premiums compared to competitors, with added options like long-term care riders.

2. Unlike many competitors, WAEPA's life insurance policies can be retained even after retirement or leaving federal service, providing long-term security.

3. Canfield advises federal employees to focus on their specific financial needs, covering debts and future income when determining the right amount of life insurance for their families.

Strengthening Critical Infrastructure and Modernizing DoD IT

Danielle Metz, Director, Information Management and Technology / Deputy OSD CIO at DoD, provides an in-depth look at the department’s efforts to enhance critical infrastructure protection and advance IT modernization. Metz highlights the DoD’s commitment to adopting and investing in emerging technologies to address vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure systems, such as industrial control systems and supervisory control and data acquisition systems. Metz also discusses the ongoing cloud migration within the OSD, which is part of a broader software modernization strategy designed to improve the department’s agility and responsiveness. She stresses that the migration is not just about moving data to the cloud but creating a more streamlined, strategic IT environment that supports mission-critical operations. Finally, Metz reflects on her nearly 17-year federal service career and her upcoming departure, expressing confidence in the progress the DoD has made and the road ahead.

Key Takeaways:

1. The DoD is focused on leveraging diverse technologies to secure critical infrastructure, particularly in industrial control systems and supply chain protection.

2. The DoD's cloud migration efforts are driven by the need for greater agility and responsiveness, learning from the experiences of other departments to avoid previous missteps.

3. Metz highlights the importance of customer feedback, using listening sessions and surveys to shape strategies and ensure that technology meets the specific needs of different departments.