Federal Government Archives - Page 12 of 13 - | ̽��Ƶ| ̽��Ƶ

Tungsten Automation Power PDF: Exploring an Ideal Business Application for Modern FED/SLED Workplaces

Posted on by Oliver Helfrich

In the current digital landscape, federal and state, local, or educational (FED/SLED) institutions need reliable, efficient, and cost-effective tools to manage their document workflows. Power PDF by Tungsten Automation, previously known under the brand Kofax, emerges as a robust alternative, offering features and savings that cater specifically to the needs of these sectors. Let’s delve into why Power PDF stands out as an ideal solution for modern FED/SLED workplaces.

Addressing Common Procurement Concerns

1. Proven Excellence and Reliability

Public institutions often prioritize tools with a proven track record. Power PDF has evolved over 20 years, continually refining its capabilities based on user feedback. This long history of development ensures that Power PDF is not just a mature product but one that has consistently met high standards of performance and reliability.

2. User-Friendly Interface

One of the significant barriers to adopting new software in government settings is the ease of use. Power PDF’s ribbon-style interface, similar to Microsoft Office 365, minimizes the learning curve. This familiar layout means employees can quickly adapt, enhancing productivity and satisfaction without extensive training.

3. Compatibility and Integration

Interoperability is crucial for FED/SLED institutions, which often use a variety of software tools. Power PDF’s full compatibility with the latest ISO PDF standards ensures that it seamlessly integrates with PDFs generated by other applications. This feature helps avoid the compatibility issues that can disrupt workflow efficiency.

Financial and Security Benefits

4. Cost-Effective Licensing Options

Budget constraints are a common challenge in the public sector. Power PDF offers flexible licensing options, including both term and perpetual licenses. This flexibility allows institutions to choose a model that fits their financial planning, providing similar or even superior functionality at a fraction of the cost of the market leader.

5. Enhanced Security and Compliance

Tungsten Automation Power PDF Blog Embedded Image 2024

Security remains a top priority, especially for government and educational institutions. Power PDF meets stringent security standards and can be installed offline, eliminating the need for a continuous connection to external servers. This feature is particularly advantageous for maintaining a secure and compliant operating environment, free from the risks associated with free PDF tools that often lack robust security measures.

Productivity and Real-World Success

6. Boosting Productivity and Satisfaction

Efficiency is critical in public sector operations. Power PDF’s intuitive interface and powerful features streamline the creation, conversion, and editing of PDF documents. This efficiency saves valuable time, allowing employees to focus on more critical tasks. The customizable features further enhance user satisfaction, leading to a more motivated and productive workforce.

7. Real-World Success Stories and Awards

When looking for evidence of success in similar organizations, there are plenty of use cases from the US and around the world. The Florida Department of Transportation, for example, has adopted Power PDF as its standard PDF editing tool, citing its cost-effectiveness, flexible licensing, excellent support, and fully on-premise capabilities. Additionally, Power PDF has earned three Top-Rated Awards from TrustRadius in 2024 for PDF editing, document management, and optical character recognition, highlighting its excellence and user satisfaction.

Conclusion: A Smart Investment for the Future

For FED/SLED institutions seeking to streamline their document workflows while ensuring security and cost-effectiveness, Power PDF stands out as an ideal solution. Its proven reliability, user-friendly interface, compatibility, flexible licensing, and enhanced security make it a valuable tool for any modern workplace. Tungsten Automation’s commitment to continuous improvement ensures that Power PDF will remain relevant and effective in meeting the evolving needs of public sector organizations.

Take the Next Step

Explore how Power PDF can transform your organization’s document management processes. Schedule a meeting with our team to learn more, get a trial, or receive full project support. Join the many public sector organizations that have already made the switch to Power PDF and are reaping the benefits today!

Schedule a meeting and receive more insights into how Power PDF can benefit your institution.

Top Upcoming 5G Events for Government to Attend

Posted on by Mark DeMerse

Secure Public Sector networks with 5G wireless technology delivers high-speed wireless connectivity, faster data rates and lower latency for systems and communities across the nation. This next-generation mobile network enables the expansion of virtual reality (VR) and the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. While many successful use cases have recently emerged showcasing the power of 5G in Government, ̽��Ƶ partners are supporting agencies by providing powerful cellular networks and maintaining reliable mobile connections to achieve mission success without compromising security within workflows.

Explore more ways to leverage ̽��Ƶ and our partners through our various upcoming Government events. Learn about acceleration of real-time delivery from devices, increased adoption of AI and multiaccess edge computing technologies (MEC) and other innovations from leading 5G technology service providers.

��

August 22 | Reston, VA

5G networks have become more common over the past few years. One study found that 5G’s worldwide share of mobile data traffic in 2021 was about 10% – but expected to grow to 60% by 2027. Government agencies are more selective when it comes to adopting 5G for their networks, partially due to higher costs associated with deploying such networks as well as unique requirements very large organizations such as the Department of Defense pose. Join thought leaders from Government and industry as they outline developments in 5G network rollouts at agencies and the ways 5G can be harnessed to open new opportunities to meet agencies’ various missions.

Sessions to look out for:

5G is at the Heart of CJADC2

5G’s Role in Modernization

The Future of 5G Technology in Government

̽��Ƶ is hosting this year’s 5G Summit alongside FedInsider, Cradlepoint, Nokia, Intel, T-Mobile, and Dell Technologies providing the latest management news from inside the Government.

August 27 | Bellevue, WA

̽��Ƶ Top 5G Events Blog Embedded Image 2024

Inaugurated in 2016, the Tech Experience has set out to create innovative and engaging experiences to inspire the industry to turn concepts into tangible, transformative solutions. The T-Mobile 5G Hub offers opportunities to meet with engineers, immerse in technology demonstrations and gain other valuable resources. At the event, hear directly from project partners about the successful projects crafted within the 5G Hub, explore video testimonials showcasing T-Mobile’s facilities, technology, expertise and partnerships, and get ready to participate in ample networking sessions.

̽��Ƶ partners AWS, Dell Technologies, Nokia, Ericsson, Microsoft, Google Cloud and Qualcomm will be featured at the 2024 T-Mobile Tech Experience.

September 19 | Reston, VA

ATARC, the Advanced Technology Academic Research Center, and ̽��Ƶ invite attendees to a day full of networking, innovation and collaboration within the world of federal mobility. At the Federal Mobility Summit, industry experts and leaders in Government will explore the latest trends and updates in mobile technology such as security, Zero Trust, acquisition, best practices and emerging solutions. Connect with peers and gain valuable insights into the future of mobility in the federal sector.

Sessions to look out for:

Securing Mobile Technologies: Identity, Zero Trust, and Threats

Navigating Mobile Acquisitions: Strategies and Best Practices

Next-Generation Networks: 5G, 6G, and Their Impact

Mission Enablement: Tools and Technologies for Success

̽��Ƶ is proud to host the Federal Mobility Summit at our office in Reston, Virginia and holds an ATARC membership, immersing further into the Federal IT community.

September 24 | Virtual

Open RAN, or Open Radio Access Network, is an evolving shift of industry standards and mobile architecture so that service providers can use equipment from multiple vendors while ensuring interoperability. The Open RAN Global Forum brings industry experts and Government together to delve into the latest updates for Open RAN including the role Open RAN will play in 6G, focusing on energy-efficient, AI-driven and customizable technology. Featuring interviews, live discussions and demos, attendees will learn more about adoption challenges and progress surrounding tier-one telecom operators’ roadmaps. Other key themes featured at this year’s event include examining the growth of AI and automation in RIC, exploring Open RAN economics and capitalization opportunities, testing and reducing energy consumption and more.

̽��Ƶ partners and mobile carries Verizon and T-Mobile will be featured at Open RAN GLOBAL FORUM.

October 8-10 | Las Vegas, Nevada

Prepare for the new era of hyperconnected business and smart cities or procure technology that can be deployed right now to make legacy systems and existing processes faster, easier and more resilient with industrial-grade 5G. At Mobile World Congress, explore technology themes like enterprise transformation, AI networks and 5G EdgeCloud with 5G leaders, architects and systems integrators, as well as CIOs from successful 5G enterprises, and discover how this technology can solve today’s biggest industry challenges.

̽��Ƶ partners Verizon, Qualcomm and Microsoft will be featured at this year’s MWC.

5G Round Table Webinar Series

October 3 & November 14 | Virtual

This fall, join us for two 5G Round Table sessions featuring real-world insights from Intel and T-Mobile. Hear from thought leaders from Government and industry outlining developments in 5G network rollouts at agencies and the ways 5G can be harnessed to open new opportunities to meet agencies’ unique missions.

̽��Ƶ will be hosting this event alongside FedInsider. CPE credits will be provided for qualified participants.

November 18-22 | Denver, CO

Full adoption of network automation is a continuous challenge for the mobility community that innovators at AUTOCON 2 hope to discover a solution for. The first, single, in-person event was a foundational moment for collaborators to advance the state of automated network operations. Now, the founders of the event are working to grow AutoCon into a recurring series of practitioner-focused events. This fall’s event will feature informational conference sessions, workshops and networking opportunities.

̽��Ƶ partners Nokia and Arista will be featured at AUTOCON 2.

̽��Ƶ’s 5G Podcast Series

Multiple Events | Virtual

̽��Ƶ’s podcast series dives into the world of 5G technology solutions, featuring expert insights from industry leaders. Explore sessions on the strategic advantages and key technologies for 5G, relevant applications of 5G for Federal, State and Local Governments and specific agency use cases such as the transformative success stories, learning curves and future objectives of 5G for the Department of Defense. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to impact the power and possibilities of 5G technology.

To learn more or get involved in any of the above events please contact us at 5G@carahsoft.com. For more information on ̽��Ƶ and our industry leading Cybersecurity technology partners’ events, visit our 5G Solutions Portfolio ��Ի� 5G Events page. 

The Top Upcoming Education IT Events on the Horizon

Posted on by Tim Boltz

From K-12 to Higher Education, our nation’s schools have great opportunities to leverage technology to improve the student, teacher and administrator experience. This year, innovative solutions built on AI, machine learning and the cloud are ready to improve learning inside the classroom and protect schools from external challenges, including potential cybersecurity threats.

Indeed, there is so much happening in the world of EdTech it is very important to keep up with the latest advancements. That is why we are happy to present a list of the top education IT events you need to check out in 2024. These events cover the gamut of technology innovation in the education sector and feature industry-leading experts, peer-led learning sessions and information sharing and ideation.

October 21-24, San Antonio, TX | November 13-14, Online

The EDUCAUSE Annual Conference is where professionals and technology providers from all over the world convene to network and find solutions that will improve higher education. As always, this year’s conference promises to be the year’s largest gathering of education technology leaders.

In 2023, ̽��Ƶ had 25 partners demoing their solutions over the two exhibiting days at our booth. In 2024, we have obtained the largest pavilion space to display our leading higher education solutions. This year, we will be joined by Joe Toste and his podcast to discuss the hottest trends and setbacks customers are facing and how ̽��Ƶ and our partners can help.

October 21-24 | Atlantic City, NJ

The New Jersey School Boards Association’s annual workshop brings together a senior-level audience of school leaders, education professionals and influencers for quality professional development, important legal, legislative, policy and funding updates and new products and services.��

̽��Ƶ Top Education Events Blog Embedded Image 2024

̽��Ƶ is a proud sponsor of this celebration of public education, but our work with NJSBA goes far beyond the workshop. The NJSBA has partnered with ̽��Ƶ and our reseller ecosystem to help school districts and member charter schools throughout New Jersey better manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. The partnership provides access to a broad range of cybersecurity-related software, hardware, implementation services and training at discounted pricing. Solutions are also available to K-12 academic institutions and School Board Associations nationwide through the contract’s cooperative purchasing clauses.

November 6-8 | ̽��Ƶ Office, Reston VA – Virtual option via Zoom

̽��Ƶ’s EdTech Talks summit is designed to educate academic IT decision makers and end users around the performance, security, cost-saving and modernization benefits of today’s leading EdTech solutions. We will host a three-day series featuring “Classroom Panels,” keynote “Assembly Sessions” and “Before the Bell” breakouts on topics ranging from school safety to student experience. We will also discuss ways to leverage AI and machine learning. Presentation recordings and slide decks from all three days will be available on-demand.

Stay tuned for a detailed agenda for this year’s event, which will be posted soon. In the meantime, check out some of our sessions from the 2023 EdTech Talk Series.

November 17-22 | Atlanta, GA

The annual Supercomputing 24 conference—SC24—draws more than 13,000 attendees from across the high-performance computing community. The conference features unique technical presentations, workshops, tutorials and “Birds of a Feather” sessions featuring open discussions about topics of interest to the HPC community. SC24 also features a large exhibit floor showcasing the latest innovations from the world’s leading manufacturers, research organizations and universities.

̽��Ƶ is excited to host a pavilion at this year’s conference. We are even more excited to be hosting some of our top AI and EdTech vendors, who will showcase the innovative work they are doing to power academic research in 2024 and beyond.

November 19-21 | San Diego, CA

Attendees of the California IT in Education Annual Conference include CTOs and directors of technology, network managers and engineers, database administrators, support and technicians. Teachers, administrators and district and county superintendents will also join their technology colleagues to share ideas and information and find out the latest tools to help improve teaching, learning and administration.

̽��Ƶ will be a proud sponsor of the event and have a booth at this year’s conference.

December 9-13 | Boston, MA

Internet2 Tech Exchange brings together a community of technical visionaries—including chief technologists, scientists, engineers, architects, operators and students—to debate, discuss and converse. It is a great forum for global technology leaders to align and move forward together. Although not specifically education-focused, the event covers topics that are relevant to the EdTech sector, including networking, the cloud, cybersecurity and more.

̽��Ƶ will be a proud sponsor of this year’s Tech Exchange.

In additional to the above events, these are some of the other pivotal education events that took place in 2024, including:��

CoSN is the premier membership organization designed to meet the needs of K-12 education technology leaders. Representing over 13 million students in school districts/systems nationwide, CoSN continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education and provides opportunities for companies that support the K-12 EdTech community to participate as corporate members. ̽��Ƶ holds an annual membership with CoSN and has been a proud sponsor for the last several years. ̽��Ƶ plans to continue collaboration at CoSN March 31-April 2, 2025, in Seattle, WA.

convened the worldwide research and education community for in-depth strategic discussions on emerging developments in networking, cloud computing, information security and more. ̽��Ƶ and our reseller partners work with Internet2 to support their member community through the NET+ program and Cloud Scorecard program, which provides a portfolio of reliable cloud and trust solutions to help higher education and research institutions solve shared technology challenges. ̽��Ƶ will be back in Anaheim, CA for the Internet2 Community Exchange April 28-May 1, 2025.

featured more than 600 procurement officials from universities, colleges and K-12 institutions. ̽��Ƶ annually sponsors NAEP’s national EPIC conference, which showed great success with over 600 procurement officials from Universities, Colleges and K-12 institutions nationwide attending. ̽��Ƶ has also supported the NAEP national and regional shows for the past three years, continuing to invest in the brand as we expand our footprint in the education space. ̽��Ƶ will have presence at NAEP’s conference May 4-7, 2025, in New Orleans, LA.

̽��Ƶ proudly sponsored which highlighted “bridging the gap”, addressing obvious (and not-so-obvious) pitfalls, opportunities to grow, and optimization of oft-neglected issues across three essential tracks—Network, Security and Community. Next year, ̽��Ƶ will attend the conference May 13-14.

EDUCAUSE Cybersecurity and Privacy Professionals Conference is the premier forum for connecting with higher education information security and privacy professionals. ̽��Ƶ was a display table sponsor, joined by our partners onsite to display our solutions for higher education cybersecurity needs. This event gave participants a chance to network and discuss information security and privacy trends and current issues with peers and solution providers. ̽��Ƶ plans to attend EDUCAUSE next year, May 19-21, in Baltimore, MD.

is a nonprofit organization that works with the global education community to accelerate the use of technology to solve tough problems and inspire innovation. ISTE’s worldwide network believes in the potential technology holds to transform teaching and learning. ISTELive is one of the world’s most comprehensive EdTech events, attended by a global contingent of education leaders, teachers, coaches, librarians, media specialists and more. ̽��Ƶ was a proud sponsor of and exhibitor at this year’s conference, and plans to attend again June 29-July 2, 2025, in San Antonio, TX.��

Needless to say, it has been a big year for events—and an even bigger year for technology in education. From AI to the cloud, from cybersecurity to networking, there are more options than ever before for educational institutions interested in using technology to improve learning. We are excited to be a part of it, and we look forward to seeing you as we go out into the EdTech community this year. Join ̽��Ƶ at these upcoming events and explore the role technology will play in education, this year and beyond. We look forward to seeing you!

To learn more or get involved in any of the above events please contact us at EDUmarketing@carahsoft.com. For more information on ̽��Ƶ and our industry leading Education technology partners’ events, visit our EdTech solutions portfolio.��

The Top Healthcare IT Events to Watch for in 2024

Posted on by Tim Boltz

From artificial intelligence (AI) to predictive analytics, edge computing, and beyond, healthcare organizations have access to a wealth of technologies that can help improve patient care and clinical performance—and there are many more tools on the horizon. This year’s healthcare IT conferences will be full of valuable insights about how these solutions can lead to better patient outcomes while helping organizations overcome some of the industry’s biggest challenges, including cybersecurity threats, staffing shortages, budget constraints, and more.

Here’s a list of the top healthcare IT events that ̽��Ƶ recommends you check out in 2024. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

August 12 – 15, Louisville, KY

The Medicaid Enterprise Systems Community (MESC) is a national conference and community for state, federal, and private sector individuals to come together and exchange ideas related to Medicaid systems and health policy affected by those systems. This year’s conference will include a track focused on the relationship of the Medicaid program to healthcare IT, with discussions on using data to improve outcomes, the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), Medicaid claims and health information exchange (HIE) integration, and more.

Visit the ̽��Ƶ booth #542 and check out a speaking session from Rob Courtney, Healthcare CTO at ̽��Ƶ, on August 13^th at 3pm.

August 16, ̽��Ƶ Conference & Collaboration Center, Reston, VA

We’re thrilled to host this year’s GovExec Health Summit and welcome some of the top voices from both industry and government. This event will bring together healthcare leaders to discuss the tools and strategies they’re using to improve our nation’s healthcare system. They’ll share best practices, reveal their biggest challenges, and talk about the technologies and tactics they’re employing to make healthcare more secure, equitable, affordable, and available to all.

Sponsorships of this event are currently open to ̽��Ƶ vendors. Contact healthcaremarketing@carahsoft.com for more information.

September 5 – 6, Boston, MA

HIMSS AI in Healthcare Fall Forum will cut through the AI hype with a comprehensive showcase of real-world examples illustrating the transformative potential of the technology across the healthcare continuum. You’ll learn best practices from industry peers and experts, learn how they use AI to overcome challenges and make their organizations smarter and more efficient, and glean actionable insights that you can use in your own healthcare setting.

̽��Ƶ is a proud sponsor of this year’s Healthcare Fall Forum and excited to share that our partner, SolarWinds, will be speaking at the event and showcasing at a kiosk.

September 19, Bethesda, MD

Federal health IT leaders will converge at this year’s GovCIO Summit to discuss the latest developments in public health technology, including electronic health records modernization, emerging technology investments, data interoperability and sharing, and more. As always, the main focus will be on how organizations can run faster and better so they can deliver better services to customers.

Visit some of ̽��Ƶ’s top vendors, including Leidos, ServiceNow, Snowflake and Splunk, to discover how their latest innovations are helping healthcare agencies achieve their mission of providing better and more efficient services to the public. ̽��Ƶ is also looking forward to celebrating the winners of the .

October 31 – November 1, Washington, DC

Healthcare remains one of the most targeted sectors for cybersecurity threats. This year’s HIMSS Cybersecurity Forum will be focused on the tactics needed to combat increasing cybersecurity threats had on, providing best practices for organizations to proactively shield ever-expanding digital footprints. Discussions will center on the latest technologies available to protect data inside and outside enterprise walls.

̽��Ƶ is a proud partner of this year’s Fall Forum and will share exclusive offers with the company’s partner network ahead of the event.

October 31 – November 2, Nashville, TN

The Health Innovation Summit brings together leaders across the healthcare ecosystem to connect with innovators who are advancing healthcare quality through AI, data solutions, and more. This year’s conference will feature more than 60 sessions on topics centered around the themes of Equity, Digital Quality, Behavior Health, and Value-based Care.

Meet with ̽��Ƶ representatives at the Summit and learn how our partners can help your organization meet its IT goals.

November 5 – 8, San Diego, CA

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives—CHIME—will host its annual Fall Forum, where digital health leaders will brainstorm, problem-solve, and develop initiatives to advance healthcare using the latest tools and resources. This year’s event will include new tracks featuring “Elite Exchanges” with top healthcare IT experts, the “Visionary Voices” of innovation leaders in the field, and even a CHIME Fun Run and Yoga Class.

̽��Ƶ is holding a focus group, hosted by Lawrence Stowers, Senior Business Development Manager, with one of our vendor partners.

Learn More About Previously Held Events:

229 Project CIO Roundtables

June 27 – 29, Napa, CA

229 Project CIO events are small gatherings of healthcare IT leaders who convene to discuss innovative solutions to the industry’s greatest challenges. This year the 229 Project will host a series of CIO Roundtables. ̽��Ƶ will be there as part of our new and growing partnership with This Week Health, the organization behind the 229 Project.

Meet ̽��Ƶ executives and learn about how technologies like AI, cloud computing, data analytics, and others are helping healthcare organizations deliver better patient care. ̽��Ƶ is also offering sponsorship opportunities to interested vendors. Contact healthcaremarketing@carahsoft.com for more information.

Healthcare has undergone a lot of change over the past couple of years, and this year promises to be no different. New challenges require new strategies and technologies, and each of these events will deliver both. You’ll discover new solutions that will help your agency improve and modernize its service offerings to meet the needs of the moment while driving toward the future.

Please contact us at healthcaremarketing@carahsoft.com to learn more or to get involved in these events. For more information on ̽��Ƶ and our industry leading healthcare IT solutions, visit our Healthcare portfolio, and for more about ̽��Ƶ events, visit our Government Events page.

Enhancing Federal Customer Experience with Digital Transformation

Posted on by Tiffany Goddard

In the world of digital transformation within Government agencies, the collaboration between industry partners and Federal entities is critical for driving progress in enhancing the Federal digital experience. Recently, the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) held to shed light on the pivotal role that industry plays in supporting Government agencies on their journey towards digital innovation. By emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation and skill development, these conversations underscored the importance of industry expertise in guiding Government agencies towards effective digital solutions. Key takeaways from the summit are summarized throughout this blog post to provide insights into the evolving landscape of Government digital services. As agencies strive to modernize their digital services and platforms, industry partners, like ̽��Ƶ and our partners, technology vendors, resellers, system integrators, and MSPs, are instrumental in providing the necessary resources, knowledge and solutions to help agencies meet the evolving demands of their users and improve the Customer Experience (CX).

The Importance of Inclusive and Compliant Digital Solutions

A people-first approach is paramount in Government digital services, focusing on the needs of both customers and the Federal workforce. Industry partners engaging with Government agencies must align their technological solutions with this people-centric mindset. Prioritizing user experience (UX) and ensuring that technology serves the needs of all stakeholders is essential for fostering effective digital interactions within the Government ecosystem.

While adopting a mobile-first approach is crucial in today’s digital landscape, accessibility remains a fundamental consideration. Government agencies recognize the importance of catering to individuals who may not have access to mobile devices or prefer alternative communication channels, such as in-person interactions or call centers. Ensuring that digital services are inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their preferred mode of interaction, is key to promoting equitable access to Government resources and information, as well as providing a means of service outside of digital for those who do not have access.

Federal agencies expect industry partners to demonstrate a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and Government policies, such as the , , Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government, and specific mandates like. Industry proposals should reflect a clear alignment with these guidelines and address the unique needs outlined by Government directives. Collaboration between Government agencies and industry partners are linked by a shared commitment to compliance and a mutual understanding of the regulatory framework governing digital initiatives. By proactively incorporating policy requirements into their proposals, industry partners can demonstrate their readiness to support Government agencies in achieving their digital transformation goals.

Enhancing the Federal Digital Experience

Implementing best practices is essential in the realm of Federal digital experience for enhancing user engagement and optimizing service delivery. The following best practices were identified by the speakers that all agencies should be working towards and where the industry should support by supplying guidance and tactical solutions, helping them meet Federal initiatives. One key practice is the importance of the US Web Design System, which promotes a mobile-first approach for Government websites. By prioritizing mobile responsiveness and user-friendly design elements, agencies can ensure that their digital platforms are accessible and intuitive for all users. Leveraging the design system not only fosters consistency across Government websites but also enhances the overall UX, making it easier for individuals to navigate and interact with online Government services.

Another crucial best practice is the enhancement of search functionality for Government websites. By implementing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) methods, agencies can improve search results and make relevant information more easily discoverable for users. Looking ahead, planning for future technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) in content delivery can further enhance the search experience, enabling more personalized and efficient access to Government resources. By staying informed of evolving search technologies and incorporating AI-driven solutions, agencies can streamline information retrieval processes and provide users with tailored and relevant content.

Digitization serves as a foundational element for transformation within Federal agencies. Moving towards digital and self-service options for common tasks not only enhances efficiency but also empowers users to access services conveniently. By focusing on structured data and digital interactions, agencies can transform UX, making interactions more intuitive and seamless. Embracing digitization as a bedrock for innovation enables agencies to modernize their service delivery models, reduce operational burdens and adapt to the evolving digital landscape effectively.

Collaboration and Alignment Across Government and Industry

Establishing a dialogue and fostering partnerships between agencies and industry partners can lead to the co-creation of solutions that address the evolving needs of the digital landscape. By working together, stakeholders can leverage their respective expertise and insights to develop innovative strategies and technologies that improve service delivery and user satisfaction. This collaborative approach not only fosters knowledge sharing and best practice exchange but also promotes a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the Government ecosystem. As a call to action, stakeholders are encouraged to join forces and collaborate towards a shared goal of creating a better digital experience for customers and Government employees alike. Stakeholders can collectively drive positive change and shape the future of digital interactions within the Government sector by aligning efforts and working together. Leveraging the federal digital experience guidance provides a clear path forward, offering a roadmap for stakeholders to navigate the complexities of digital transformation and align their initiatives with Government priorities and policies. By adhering to the guidance and embracing a collaborative mindset, Government agencies and industry partners can collectively advance the digital experience landscape, ensuring that services are accessible, user-centric and future-ready.

As agencies like GSA and OMB advocate for a mobile-first strategy, organizations can explore ̽��Ƶ’s portfolio of website modernization and mobile enhancement solutions to align with these initiatives. ̽��Ƶ also features leading solutions from our vendor partners in the digitization of services, such as fortifying public outreach, electronic signatures and accessibility technology, aiding in the modernization journey for agencies to make services simpler and more accessible for users. Customer services are improved through understanding the voice of the customer with analytics and human-centered design. Public outreach is imperative for transparency, gathering and implementing feedback and ultimately building trust between constituents and Government. CX plays a pivotal role in shaping how constituents perceive and interact with civic services, fostering trust and transparency in Government operations.

̽��Ƶ’s Customer Experience and Engagement portfolio offers a range of industry-leading solutions that enable agencies to analyze and disseminate information securely, improve service efficiency, build trust with constituents and bolster agency reputability. By embracing trusted software solutions from our technology providers, agencies can advance their digital Government services to meet the evolving needs of the public and deliver exceptional experiences that drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders. ̽��Ƶ’s expertise in digitization also extends to social media integration, call center optimization and the implementation of adaptive technology, aligning with diverse needs of Government agencies and their constituents.

GSA and OMB are calling for a people-first approach and ̽��Ƶ has the CX solutions to help your organization meet this initiative. Check out ̽��Ƶ’s portfolio of solutions providers who can support your needs in website modernization and mobile enhancement, digitization of services, customer services, public outreach, social media, electronic signatures, call center, accessibility technology and other CX solutions.

The 10 Cybersecurity Events for Government in 2024

Posted on by Steve Jacyna

In the fast-paced world of Cybersecurity, staying ahead of evolving threats and industry trends is paramount for Government agencies and the ecosystem that supports them. From in-depth discussions on certification processes to cutting-edge solutions for modern cyber threats, ̽��Ƶ and our partners’ cybersecurity events promise to provide valuable insights, networking opportunities and practical strategies for enhancing Government cybersecurity posture.

Join us as we delve into cybersecurity excellence and empower Government entities to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and resilience.

May 6 | San Francisco, CA

Attendees joined us for our 11^th Annual Public Sector Day event at RSA Conference. They heard from pioneering figures in Government as they shared their perspectives on the forefront cybersecurity challenges facing the Public Sector. As cyber threats continue to challenge all levels of Government, attendees learned how Government and industry are working together to protect communities at all levels from ransomware, thefts of data, election security challenges and attacks on critical infrastructure. ̽��Ƶ was proud to host this event for our 11^th year. We will be back in 2025 in San Francisco and hope to see you there! Access our podcast series for a recap of the sessions and discover how to protect your organization’s sensitive information by leveraging compliant cloud authentication services.

June 25-27 | Baltimore, MD

A flagship event, AFCEA’s TechNet Cyber serves as a center of gravity for a whole-of-government effort to bring together the policy, strategic architecture, operations and C2 – along with the joint capabilities – needed to meet the global security challenges and successfully operate in a digital environment. Join us in Baltimore and be part of the conversation led by U.S. Cyber Command, DISA, the DoD CIO and numerous industry and academia partners to deliver solutions for this enduring, no-fail mission. ̽��Ƶ will host a pavilion on the exhibit floor that features more than 50 of our technology partners showcasing a range of cybersecurity solutions. Visit for more information!

July 25 | Online

Government agencies face a continuing stream of legislative, executive and oversight recommendations, constantly keeping teams and technologies on their toes. This SANS Government Security Forum equips Public Sector cybersecurity teams with the essential knowledge to address these challenges and modern threats head-on. ̽��Ƶ has partnered with SANS to host this event for our third year in a row. Hear from Government and industry leaders on the latest in cybersecurity.

July 29 – August 1 | Dallas, TX��

̽��Ƶ is proud to be a sponsor of the DOE Cybersecurity and Innovation Conference. This event will explore the developments and challenges in cybersecurity, technology innovation, workforce development, and critical infrastructure protection. Speakers and attendees will include top thought leaders from across the DOE enterprise, the federal interagency, academia, international partners, and private industry leaders for thoughtful conversations about cybersecurity, modernizing IT and OT environments and solutions, sharing tools, data management, technology, and best practices with the energy industry, and developing technical solutions to meet national challenges.

̽��Ƶ will have a booth on the exhibit floor that features and handful of our technology partners showcasing a range of cybersecurity solutions. We will also host a networking happy hour on July 30^th from 7:30 – 9:30 pm CST. Stay tuned for more information!

August 3-8 | Las Vegas, NV

Now in its 27th year, Black Hat USA returns to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas with a six-day program. The event will open with four days of specialized cybersecurity trainings with courses for all skill levels. The two-day main conference (August 7-8) will feature more than 100 selected briefings, dozens of open source tool demos in Arsenal, a robust Business Hall, networking and social events and much more.

̽��Ƶ is pleased to host a networking reception for our vendor partners and their customers. for food, drinks and networking!

September 3-6 | Washington, D.C.

Join over 2,500 attendees and 200+ top speakers participating in more than 40 sessions and breakouts at the leading Government cybersecurity summit. Hear from speakers with years of experience in mitigating cyber threats, offering valuable insights. Government, military, nonprofit, academia and industry thought leaders will present major cyber trends and discuss solutions for current field issues. ̽��Ƶ and more than 50 partners will showcase a full range of cybersecurity solutions in our partner pavilion on the show floor. .

September 24-26 | Huntsville, AL

National Cyber Summit is the nation’s most innovative cybersecurity technology event, offering unique educational, collaborative and workforce development opportunities for industry visionaries and rising leaders. NCS offers a cyber conference with diverse focus-areas, premier speakers and unmatched accessibility focused on education, collaboration and innovation.

Visit ̽��Ƶ at our booth on the show floor and explore our CMMC Solutions Showcase.

October 1-2 | Online

Discover how agencies are leading the way as the Government “fundamentally re-imagines America’s cyber social construct”. During this exclusive two-day virtual event, Federal News Network and ̽��Ƶ will sit down with cyber leaders and experts to dive deep into efforts across Government to bring the White House vision to life and strengthen Federal cyber capabilities. Tune in for multiple sessions featuring some of our leading technology partners.

October 6-8 | Scottsdale, AZ

Powered by the collective knowledge of cybersecurity executives, practitioners and cutting-edge solution providers, Innovate Cybersecurity Summit is the premier resource for CISO education and collaboration. The Reverse Expo, a featured session, is a highly interactive engagement model and a refreshing way for technology vendors to meet with attendees. ̽��Ƶ is a premier sponsor of the event and will have a partner pavilion featuring some of our leading cybersecurity partners as well as networking events throughout the summit.

November 7 | Austin, TX

̽��Ƶ has partnered with FedInsider for a series highlighting and discussing topics on cyber in Government. Join us to hear cyber experts in State and Local organizations discuss the latest cybersecurity threats to the Public Sector and what steps State and Local agencies are taking to protect against them. This year’s half-day event focuses on how the release of AI into the broader computing environment is affecting cybersecurity strategies across the Public Sector. Collaborate with peers, thought leaders and key partners in Austin or watch the panel discussions online in a follow-up webinar!

Do not miss out on the opportunity to engage with industry experts, explore innovative solutions and network with like-minded professionals at our 2024 events. Secure your spot today and take proactive steps towards safeguarding your organization’s critical assets in an ever-evolving cyber landscape. Together, let us strengthen our cybersecurity defenses and pave the way for a more resilient Government cybersecurity ecosystem.

To learn more or get involved in any of the above events please contact us at CyberSecurity@carahsoft.com. For more information on ̽��Ƶ and our industry leading Cybersecurity technology partners’ events, visit our Cybersecurity Solutions Portfolio and Cyber Events page.

FedRAMP Roadmap 2024-25: Modernization Strategy and its Impact on the Program

Posted on by John Lee

̽��Ƶ represents a wide range of FedRAMP offerings and supports many emerging SaaS ISVs as they create Government mission focused solutions. Our Government customers have leveraged thousands of reuse authorizations across the hundreds of FedRAMP authorized cloud services that ̽��Ƶ sells and supports. With such a substantial record of reuses, FedRAMP could be considered the most cost-effective, time-efficient, and security enhancing program in the history of Government IT.

̽��Ƶ FedRAMP Roadmap Blog Embedded Image 2024

We are excited by the new FedRAMP , released by GSA on March 28, 2024. This roadmap introduces strategic initiatives designed to modernize the program. FedRAMP allows agencies to leverage previously completed work and reuse cloud authorizations, offering significant time and cost savings for government and industry alike.

Building on the released in October 2023, the FedRAMP Roadmap underscores GSA’s commitment to make the program faster and less expensive for Federal Agencies and Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). This blog post aims to analyze the roadmap’s key initiatives and outline its primary objectives. FedRAMP lays out four clear goals to drive the program forward:

Orienting around the customer experience
Cybersecurity leadership
Scaling a trusted marketplace
Smarter, technology-forward operations

Accelerating FedRAMP Authorization and Deployment

Several initiatives introduced by the PMO are designed to significantly speed up the authorization process for CSPs and enable agencies to deploy advanced technology more rapidly:

Reciprocity with External Frameworks: Starting with Low-impact SaaS, the roadmap outlines a plan to enhance interoperability across different frameworks. This allows CSPs to reuse previously completed work, reducing the time to achieve FedRAMP authorization.
Low-review Authorization Model: In partnership with DISA, the roadmap pilots a model where trusted agencies undergo a less extensive review process. This approach aims to make the authorization process faster and more efficient for agencies with mature review processes.
Joint Authorization Groups: The FedRAMP PMO, OMB, and the FedRAMP Board are establishing joint authorization groups to promote a unified approach to risk management. This collaboration is expected to reduce the overall risk profile and workload, thereby increasing the chances for a CSP to secure agency sponsorship.
Digital Authorization Packages: The PMO plans to pilot machine-readable packages using OSCAL. These digital packages are designed to speed up the review process by eliminating many of the manual tasks currently required of PMO staff.

These steps are part of a broader effort to make FedRAMP more agile and responsive to the needs to both CSPs and government agencies, ensuring quicker access to secure and industry-leading cloud solutions.

Maintaining a Cutting-Edge Program

Other initiatives laid out in FedRAMP’s 2024-25 roadmap addresses an effort to continuously update and enhance the program:

SCR Overhaul: Replacing the extensive Significant Change Request (SCR) process with a more agile change management system. This adjustment allows for quicker delivery of security updates, better aligning FedRAMP with the rapid iteration cycles typical of commercial tech products. By allowing CSPs to implement iterative product updates, FedRAMP is not only improving its own operational efficiency but also enhancing the security posture of cloud services used throughout the federal government.
Updated Guidance: Refreshing guidelines in critical security areas, including FIPS 140, DNSSEC, and external service integrations. These updates ensure that the program keeps pace with the latest developments in cybersecurity.
New Metrics: To better meet the evolving needs to agencies and CSPs, FedRAMP is introducing new, customer-oriented key performance metrics.

Through these initiatives, FedRAMP is not just maintaining its standards but also enhancing its adaptability, ensuring it continues to set the standard in government cloud security.

Timeline

Looking Forward

The roadmap marks a clear commitment to modernization. The PMO is confident that this strategic overhaul will alleviate the current review backlog, streamline processes, and optimize service delivery. As we look towards a transformative period for FedRAMP, ̽��Ƶ remains committed to supporting our partners through these changes. Together, we anticipate a future where Government cloud technology is not only secure and compliant but also at the cutting edge of innovation.

To learn more about ̽��Ƶ’s partner marketplace for FedRAMP certified cloud solutions visit our FedRAMP portfolio and speak to a member of our team today.

Join us for GovForward’s 6^th��Annual ATO and Cloud Security Summit on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 8:00 am-4:45 pm in Waldorf Astoria, Washington D.C. .

Improving Government CX Services to Build Trust Amongst Customers

Posted on by LaRel Rogers

In the Private Sector, customer experience (CX) is characterized by applications that serve as a single-stop service for customers. These expectations have trickled from the commercial digital world into the Public Sector, with the exception that co-designing services that keep up with the public’s needs and priorities is non-negotiable to rebuilding trust., Federal agencies that the Government has deemed as having critical value due to their public-facing services, aim to mimic the single-stop layout by creating an all-encompassing CX in the Public Sector. This way, the public sees the Government as seamless and unified, and different Government agencies as parallel to each other.

Customer Experience Built on Trust

Unifying services can reduce challenges the public faces when accessing them. Time is lost due to slow modernization that would otherwise improve interactions with customers. In the past, to access services, individuals may need to take off work, which may lose them income. They may need to travel to a far location, may forget vital documents at home or may have to account for child care. These considerations which come at the expense of the public can be attributed to a “time tax” that burdens Government customers. However, with the , customers can update their information quickly and easily on their own time. It is important to note that HISPs are moving to a digital-first, but not digital-only strategy. This means that although all services will be provided online, there will still be in-person options for those who do not have access to a dependable connection or for services that can require in-person help. By providing a variety of reliable, time and cost-effective services, Government agencies can ease usability and build trust with customers.

Okta HISP Customer Experience Series Blog Embedded Image 2024

Agencies with new, modernized websites can build trust in the Government. Conversely, a rushed website with too much downtime can lead to a user’s inability to access essential capabilities. Not every agency has a Customer Experience Officer to help roll out improved CX strategies. Various agencies may be set up differently regarding reporting structure, which complicates counsel. A driver of HISP and other government-wide CX initiatives, the Office of Management Budget (OMB), has released . With this initiative, the OMB will help agencies choose which public-facing items to invest in and which digital services to optimize for prime CX.

A fundamental part of CX is the people who provide services. To truly improve customer service, agencies must first improve their employee experience. This means providing secure access to a variety of work models: virtual or in-person, temporary, seasonal or full-time, contractor or agency related. Once agencies understand how to provide a uniform experience across a diverse portfolio of workforces, agencies can train employees to provide uniform CX across a diverse array of customers.

Technology also plays a key role in the Government’s hope of a trust-filled relationship with those they serve. Consistent branding is one powerful way to unite HISPs across the Government. This can look like each agency placing its logo in the same area of its website. Another way is for members of the public to access both their Government account and servicer website.

A Unified Login

A cornerstone of the Federal Government’s idea around modernizing CX is that there is a simple way for people to access Government services across multiple devices. is putting that idea into practice. To shift online, the Government must provide a secure access method for every customer with a goal to move past the need for passwords. The modern generation of customers expect technological services to be available on multiple devices. They also prefer the ability to take a break and pick up where they left off, which requires behavioral analytics to protect users. Each agency will also be required to . With proper Identity and Access Management (IAM), whether in the form of single sign on (SSO) or biometric methods to log in, an app can verify that the user accessing sensitive information is the desired recipient. This way, users can gain easy, secure access to their services and information and agencies gain relevant context at the application level that follows Zero Trust principles.

Empowering CX with IAM

Okta, the leading independent Identity partner, understands that IAM is an integral part of ensuring services are simple, seamless and secure. Furthermore, IAM services can still center CX. Okta has created to help agencies redesign experiences based on user needs and CX metrics. By synthesizing CX, secure and proper IAM and modern capabilities, the Federal Government can help build trust with the new era of customers.

To learn more about how Okta’s IAM capabilities aid CX in the Federal Government, watch to gain insight on building trust with customers. To learn more about how Government agencies can build trust with their customers and improve customer services, view content from ̽��Ƶ’s . 

Securing Operational Technology with Cyber-Informed Engineering

Posted on by Andrew Ginter

Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) is an initiative by Idaho National Laboratory with funding from the Department of Energy (DOE). The goal of CIE is to secure physical operations through the combination of cybersecurity and engineering approaches. Today, engineering mitigations are used from time to time to address cyber risks but are used neither universally nor systematically. CIE recognizes the importance and necessity of using both engineering tools and conventional cybersecurity designs to secure operational technology (OT) networks.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

Access to OT information in IT networks, very often through PI servers, is essential to many kinds of business automation, such as automatically ordering spare parts or scheduling maintenance crews. However, because all modern automation involves computers, as businesses continue to automate processes more targets for cyberattacks are created. In addition, data in motion is the lifeblood of modern automation, but all cyber-sabotage attacks on OT systems are information, and every connection between systems and IT/OT networks is an opportunity for attacks to spread. Thus, the more automation is deployed, the more opportunities are created to attack the ever-increasing number of targets. Cybersecurity is an issue that becomes steadily more pressing as businesses automate.

The IT/OT boundary, where PI servers tend to be deployed, is very often a consequence boundary. Worst-case consequences on the OT network are very often dramatically different and more severe than consequences on IT networks. Worst-case business consequences often include expensive incident response costs, such as businesses having to buy identity fraud insurance for customers whose information was leaked into the Internet. On the other hand, worst-case consequences for OT networks in a power plant or a high-speed passenger rail switching system often include threats to worker and public safety, or to the availability of critical infrastructure services to the nation. When worst-case OT consequences are unacceptable, engineering-grade protections must be deployed at the IT/OT interface to prevent worst-case scenarios from being realized.

Waterfall Security OT and Cyber-Informed Engineering Blog Embedded Image 2024

Conventional OT Security Programs

Using exclusively IT style mitigations to protect critical OT networks is often not enough—when public safety or critical infrastructures are at risk, it is not enough to hope that cyberattacks can be detected before they compromise critical infrastructure. It is not enough to hope that if detected in time, an incident response team can be assembled fast enough to prevent consequences. Engineering-grade designs are expected to reliably perform critical physical operations within a specified threat environment until the next scheduled opportunity to upgrade defenses, with a large margin for error.

The Threat Landscape

Remote-controlled attacks are the modern attack pattern used by hacktivists, ransomware criminals and nation-states. Modern remote-controlled attacks use social media research and clever phishing emails to trick potential victims into revealing passwords or opening malicious attachments. Once remote attackers gain a foothold in their target network, they control the compromised machine remotely, using it to attack other machines through layers of firewalls, including the IT/OT firewalls deployed to send OT data into PI servers to enable IT/OT integration. Attackers then repeat, spreading further until they reach essential OT systems or valuable information that a business would be willing to pay to recover.

‘Living off the land’ is another type of remote-controlled attack seen recently. After gaining a foothold in an IT network, attackers erase all hint of their presence, including any malware that was used to gain their foothold. Eventually compromising the IT domain controller, attackers create their own remote access and credentials. These new accounts look like a normal employee logging in; no alarms are raised as the attackers use normal operating system tools in their attacks, making them extremely difficult to detect.

Unbreachable Protection with Unidirectional Gateways

In the face of sophisticated remote-control attacks, safe integration of critical OT networks with PI servers and other business automations must involve network engineering. The most common approach to network engineering is to protect the IT/OT consequence boundary with a Unidirectional Gateway. The gateways are a combination of hardware and software; the software makes copies of PI and other OT servers from OT networks, while the hardware allows information to travel in only one direction, from the OT network out to the IT network. The gateways move OT data out to where the enterprise can use it while preventing any remote-control attacks or attack information getting back through into the OT network. Even if a deceived insider carries a piece of malware into an OT network and inadvertently activates it, that malware cannot connect out to the Internet through the gateway, much less receive any attack commands from the Internet.

Increasingly, critical infrastructures are expected to have OT networks that operate reliably and independently of the IT network, even when the IT network is compromised. A Unidirectional Gateway provides OT data to PI servers and other business automation, with no ability for malware, remote-control commands or other attack information to penetrate the gateway into operations. By eliminating the risks associated with firewalls at the IT/OT consequence boundary, industrial enterprises can be confident of the integrity of their OT systems, even in the face of the most sophisticated of modern, network-based attacks.

As Cyber-Informed Engineering emerges as the most important change in OT security in a decade, Waterfall Security’s Unidirectional Security Gateways, certified to be truly unidirectional, are leading the world in safe IT/OT and OT/cloud integration, even in the face of the most sophisticated of cyber threats. Watch our webinar “Cyber-Informed Engineering for OT Security and AVEVA PI Users” to see how Waterfall’s solutions enable safe IT/OT integration and protect safe and reliable physical operations, especially for AVEVA PI installations.

Patching in Federal Government Networks

Posted on by Tyler Jaeger

Ivanti is committed to our customers who uphold the Nation’s highest commitments. To this end Ivanti believes that the mission our customers fulfill should not be impeded or constrained by the security stance they take. In these security conscious situations, it’s considered both mandatory and best practice for nodes within these networks to be either disconnected or entirely air-gapped.

(Context: A disconnected network can traverse its own internal network/intranet but is disconnected from the broader internet. Conversely – an air gapped environment is even further isolated – being entirely independent with no connectivity to either a larger intranet or internet.)

Despite these efforts – the risk of exploitation is not absolved simply by disconnecting or placing nodes into an air-gapped state. Network isolation of these servers & endpoints is only one aspect within a zero-trust security paradigm that these Sys-Admins have to contend with.

Technical administrators of these environments are still responsible for maintaining their systems against on-going vulnerabilities. The patching of these systems acts as a counter measure against insider threats within these systems. These vulnerabilities are more than the standard Patch Tuesday Windows OS vulnerabilities. A significant majority of these vulnerabilities exist in the 3rd party Application Eco-System. According to The U.S. National Vulnerability Database – Microsoft exploits only account for 15% of total vulnerabilities today.

Ivanti Patching in Federal Gov Networks Blog Embedded Image 2024

Patching these systems can be extremely tedious and time-consuming, but also manually intensive. This time could be better spent performing strategic security measures, or not spent at all. As a result of this lengthy process critical systems can be impacted and left open to vulnerabilities. A report from the GAO (As detailed in Pg. 46 of the ) shows that this has historically left even critical vulnerabilities unpatched after a significant time period (In the report – several years). To address these issues, Ivanti assists our customers by automating the remediation of the vulnerabilities found within their system, while also providing a record of truth, and reporting to these workflows.

Ivanti’s Disconnected Patching Capability

Ivanti’s product portfolio not only includes its flagship cloud-based Product Suite, and also a strong array of On-Premise based products. Two products worth highlighting for this are (ISEC), and (EPM). Both products have On-Premise deployment options which extend into Disconnected and Air-Gapped Use-Cases.

At a high-level, Ivanti services disconnected / airgapped environments via the use of servers placed within those environments. Those servers then act as a repository for OS patches (Incl. Windows, Linux, and Mac), along with 3rd Party Application Patches. Reference this example diagram of a disconnected instance of Ivanti ISEC. In this example, a central environment is used to download and prepare patches for the environment. Then, one-to-many disconnected environment can then be stood up with patches and management provided via a ‘File Transfer Service’. This service can mean two things: either an approved Media Devices to enable transfers when no connectivity can exist, or a staged approach in which connectivity for a Centralized console is alternated between the Internet and a Disconnected Environment. Where approved, this prevents a direct link between the internet and the disconnected environment.

One additional note with this diagram is that both the Central Rollup Console and Connected Environment can also be connected on temporarily, even if only to update definitions in support the disconnected portions of the deployment.

Ivanti Endpoint Manager (EPM)

On the flipside, we can take the disconnected / connected philosophy we mentioned in ISEC and apply it to our EPM product. Like with ISEC an admin can create multiple EPM consoles, or cores without any additional charges. Those cores can be deployed as disconnected or ‘dark’ cores. Vulnerability Definitions and Patches can then be copied from a connected environment into the disconnected environment via the same preferred ‘File Transfer Client’ of choice. This methodology has been proven amongst our customer base who have effectively deployed this into disconnected and airgapped instances for both ISEC and EPM.

Modernized & Automated Patching Workflows

Modernizing the patching process means reducing the Mean Time to Patch, and strategically securing against vulnerabilities. To that end, Ivanti provides – a Vulnerability Management system that provides contextualization around threats (Ex. ‘Trending’ Vulnerabilities or Vulnerabilities could be executed without physical access to the target).

RBVM also provides the necessary patches and remediation for those vulnerabilities. By integrating our Patching and RBVM we modernize patching into a strategic and automated process. Files containing the vulnerabilities deemed most risky can be loaded into solutions like EPM to determine and provide patches. This workflow can still apply even in disconnected and airgapped use cases. RBVM could connect to the Rollup Core while disseminating patches via the process mentioned above.

How Ivanti can Help

Between Ivanti’s EPM & ISEC products, a System Administrator would have full range to patch the Windows, MacOS, and Linux Servers and Workstations within their environments. Patches also extend to 3rd Party Applications in which a significant portion of vulnerabilities originate. Ivanti also has a team of QA testers that validate the patches within its 3rd Party Patch Catalog to ensure no patches will cause a crash to the system. This patching can apply to both connected, and disconnected environments without any additional charges for scaling your Console Server Deployments.

In the case of ISEC – ISEC can discover and patch endpoints both with an agent and agentlessly. ISEC can also integrate with On-Premise VMware ESXi environments and patch ESXi hosts, as well as images and offline VM’s, thus further centralizing and reducing time to patch across the environment. Conversely – EPM provides users with a full suite of Endpoint Management capabilities in addition to patching including Discovery and Data Normalization, OS Provisioning, Software Distribution, User Profile Management, Remote Control, and Integrated Patching and Endpoint Security.

Additional Resources

For further reading, please consider Ivanti’s Product documentation around this subject. These references can provide additional documentation around how to establish:

EPM
ISEC
Vulnerability Resources

About Ivanti

Ivanti was created in 2017 with the merger of Landesk and HEAT software. We are a powerhouse IT solution with over 30 years of combined experience. Ivanti finds, heals and protects every device, everywhere – automatically. Whether your team is down the hall or spread around the globe, Ivanti makes it easy and secure for them to do what they do best.

Ivanti is committed to supporting our customers requiring either Cloud or On-Premise deployment requirements. In both of those deployment paths Ivanti’s Portfolio contains accredited solutions including the following certifications: DoD ATO, Army CoN, Common Criteria, DoDIN APL, DISA STIG, DoD IL2 & IL5 Private Cloud, DoD ATO, NIAP MDM PP v4, NIAP Common Criteria, NSA CSFC, FIPS 140-2, FedRAMP Moderate, & SOC 2 Compliances.

Connect with an Ivanti representative today and learn more about how Ivanti can support your MultiCloud initiatives.