When a national healthcare system undergoes a major disruptive event, such as a pandemic, the experience can catalyze positive, transformative change, especially if the event is severe and persists for years. COVID-19 has been a disruptor like no other. In addition to the misery it has visited upon the world, the pandemic has created a rare opportunity to transform and modernize a sprawling healthcare system that has been stubbornly slow to ch...

Securing IT assets has never been more of a challenge. The IT landscape is under a daily bombardment of cyber-attacks. Disruption and financial loss caused by ransomware, data theft, and security breaches is unsustainable. The current administration has acted to shrink the cyber-attack surface of federal agencies. An executive order issued by the White House last year, “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity” (EO 14028), charge...

These are uncertain times for the nation’s energy infrastructure—a pillar of our economy, our defense, and practically every facet of day-to-day life. From energy generation to transmission and usage, the current challenges are to navigate a cluster of unprecedented threats and to imagine a new foundation for our changing energy needs. We need an energy foundation that's built to last. For that to happen, the emerging energy infras...

AFCEA Bethesda's reimagined Engage & Connect series features a mix of webinar offerings, in-person breakfast panel discussions and afternoon socials. With speakers drawn largely from federal civilian agencies, topics span a wide range of timely issues and offer a compelling snapshot of multiple agency perspectives. The goals of the Engage & Connect series are to foster better inter-agency communication, share best practices and lessons...

Federal agencies are working to align their initiatives with the White House’s Management Agenda and deliver on the promise of an “equitable, effective, and accountable federal government that delivers results for all.” By harnessing the power of innovation and the collective mindshare of those in government and industry, these benchmarks may be achieved, resulting in citizen services that are simple, accessible, and secure....

AFCEA Bethesda's webinar series features panel discussions led by senior-executive government representatives across various hot topics in the IT industry. With speakers drawn largely from federal civilian agencies, the panel format offers a compelling snapshot of multiple agency perspectives.

Law enforcement and public safety professionals are constantly challenged in responding to crises. Over the past two years the COVID pandemic has created opportunities for criminal organizations to exploit new vulnerabilities. At the same time, our law enforcement public safety agencies have gained new capabilities to work remotely. These experiences are accelerating a mobile workforce, which is enabling law enforcement and public safety to ac...

In the current threat environment, the federal government can no longer depend on conventional perimeter-based defenses to protect mission critical applications and its associated data. A transition to a Zero Trust approach to security provides a defensible architecture for this unique environment, according to federal officials. The Zero Trust security model acknowledges that threats exist both inside and outside traditional network boundarie...

This intimate luncheon brings together emerging leaders and managers with IT professionals from government and industry to discuss several topics related to the current federal environment.

Reflecting on Cross Agency Challenges and Opportunities A Fireside Chat with Deputy Federal CIO Maria Roat AFCEA Bethesda’s Engage & Connect Series brings government and industry together. To that end, we are excited to have Maria Roat, Deputy Federal CIO, join us at a fireside chat to reflect on and share observations about her distinguished career in federal service. Ms. Roat will retire from her position on March 31st after servi...