Keep More, Store Less: The Case for Advanced Compression in Federal EDR

Posted on by Richard Verwers

How agencies can retain full-fidelity data without overspending on storage

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) depends on data. The more telemetry you collect, the more context you have to detect threats, investigate incidents and meet Federal compliance requirements.

But data volume is also the problem. Federal agencies generate massive amounts of endpoint telemetry every day. Process activity. File changes. Network connections. User behavior. Multiply that across thousands of devices and storage requirements quickly grow beyond what many teams can sustain.

Security teams often face a difficult tradeoff: retain full-fidelity data and absorb higher storage costs, or limit retention and risk losing critical visibility.

That tradeoff is no longer necessary. Advanced data compression changes the economics of endpoint visibility. Agencies can retain unfiltered telemetry for extended periods without expanding storage budgets or adding operational complexity.

The Visibility–Storage Tradeoff is No Longer Sustainable

Federal cybersecurity requirements continue to raise the bar for telemetry collection and retention. Agencies must support Zero Trust initiatives, continuous monitoring programs and audit readiness. Modernization efforts increase the number of connected endpoints, including cloud workloads, remote systems and contractor-managed devices. Each new endpoint expands the telemetry footprint.

At the same time, budgets remain under scrutiny. Storage infrastructure must compete with other mission priorities and security leaders must justify every dollar. When storage costs climb, teams often respond in predictable ways:

Reduce retention windows
Sample or filter telemetry
Drop lower-priority event types
Offload data to external archives that are difficult to query

Each of these approaches creates blind spots. Shorter retention windows limit historical investigations and filtered data weakens threat hunting while fragmented storage slows response times.

In a threat context where adversaries can dwell quietly for months, incomplete data is a liability. Agencies need a way to collect and retain comprehensive telemetry without creating unsustainable storage growth.

Compression-First Architectures Improve Data Retention

Traditional security platforms treat compression as an afterthought. Data is collected at scale, stored in raw or lightly optimized formats and compressed later in the pipeline. By then, infrastructure costs are already locked in.

A compression-first architecture takes a different approach. Advanced compression techniques reduce data size at ingest. Telemetry is optimized as it enters the platform, not after it has consumed storage resources. The result is a significantly smaller storage footprint without sacrificing fidelity. For Federal security operations centers (SOCs), this shift has meaningful impact:

Longer retention without higher cost – Agencies can retain 180 days or more of full-fidelity telemetry while remaining within budget constraints.
Unfiltered visibility – Teams do not need to decide in advance which data might matter later. They can keep it all.
Faster investigations – Optimized storage enables efficient querying across large datasets, supporting threat hunting and incident response.
Simplified architecture – Native compression reduces the need for external storage tiers or complex archival systems.

Instead of managing tradeoffs, security teams regain flexibility.

Full-Fidelity Data Supports Compliance and Zero Trust

Federal mandates increasingly require measurable security maturity. Continuous monitoring, device-level visibility and documented audit trails are central to that effort, and retention depth matters.

When agencies can access complete endpoint histories, they strengthen their ability to:

Validate Zero Trust controls within the device pillar
Reconstruct events during forensic investigations
Demonstrate compliance with evolving Federal security requirements
Support reporting obligations tied to vulnerability and risk management

Short retention windows make it harder to answer fundamental questions: When did this behavior begin? Was lateral movement attempted? Did similar activity occur on other systems?

With compressed full-fidelity data, those questions become easier to answer and teams can look back months, not days. This level of historical visibility supports stronger analytics, more informed risk decisions and more defensible reporting.

Cost Efficiency Matters Under Federal Scrutiny

Every Federal technology investment must demonstrate operational value. Advanced compression directly addresses cost concerns in several ways:

Reduces total storage consumption
Delays or eliminates additional infrastructure purchases
Lowers operational overhead tied to managing multiple storage systems
Minimizes data movement between tiers

At the same time, it strengthens the overall security posture by preserving data that might otherwise be discarded. This combination of efficiency and depth is particularly important for agencies balancing modernization initiatives with budget discipline.

Security cannot become a cost center that expands without limit. It must scale responsibly. Compression-first EDR architecture supports that balance.

The Federal security community no longer needs to accept a compromise between cost and visibility. Advanced data compression enables agencies to:

Collect unfiltered endpoint telemetry
Retain data for extended periods
Support Zero Trust maturity
Strengthen investigative capabilities
Maintain fiscal discipline

As agencies define the next standard for Federal EDR, data strategy must be part of the conversation. Retention, accessibility and efficiency determine whether telemetry delivers long-term value.

Carbon Black and Carahsoft help Federal agencies adopt a compression-first approach to endpoint detection and response, so teams can keep more data, store less and operate with confidence.

Contact us to learn how your agency can adopt a compression-first approach to endpoint visibility while staying within budget.

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Broadcom, we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the Carahsoft Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as Carahsoft’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

Why Supply Chain Risk Management is Now a Public Sector Resilience Priority

Posted on by Jeff Ladner

From ransomware disrupting city services to vendor failures impacting school operations, supply chain failures seem to be dominating the headlines lately. Naturally, whether your organization is in the Private or Public Sector, you’ll want to avoid attracting attention for the wrong reasons.

The best way to do that is to prioritize implementing best practices to safeguard critical vendors and services from cybersecurity risks and operational disruptions. In this guide, we’ll cover the NIST framework, how it applies to Public Sector organizations and how you can use NIST best practices to reduce risk and maintain public trust. Even private sector teams increasingly rely on NIST supply chain risk management practices when working with Government partners, especially across information technology environments.

Why Is Supply Chain Risk Management Important?

Managing supplier risk should be a fundamental part of any data-based businesses’ operations, but it’s all the more important for Public Sector organizations, whether that means Federal, State or Local services.

Why? Without clear practices for identifying, assessing and mitigating vendor and operational risk, you could expose your organization to a whole host of potential issues, including:

Financial losses: Even nonprofit organizations depend on reliable financial backing from Governments and other entities. Those revenue streams can be endangered when an overlooked security risk becomes an operational blockage.
Reputational damage: Eroded consumer trust can be as costly as any disruption in service or productivity. When your organization attracts the wrong kind of attention, like for suffering a data breach or failing to fulfill obligations, earning that trust back can be a difficult feat.
Regulatory violations: In worst-case scenarios, failing to catch a supply chain risk before it becomes a major problem can lead to your organization falling afoul of relevant regulations and facing stiff consequences like fines or legal fees.

Learn more: Quick Guide: What is Operational Risk Management?

When Does an Organization Need a Supply Chain Risk Management Framework?

The purpose of using a risk management framework is to standardize the process of identifying, assessing and mitigating potential threats and vulnerabilities to your organization’s supply chain. If your organization’s ability to provide services, attract new users and secure funding would be severely impacted by a potential data breach or supply chain disruption, then you’d most likely benefit from using a framework to ensure consistent supplier security.

State, Local and education (SLED) entities are all the more likely to need a framework for regulating risk assessments and mitigation steps. Since the services provided by such entities are typically essential to a community, it’s that much more important that you take all the necessary actions to secure your supply chain and prevent service interruptions whenever possible.

What Is the NIST Risk Management Framework?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF) is the go-to solution public service organizations have been using to mitigate vendor, technology and cybersecurity risks for the last decade. The result of a Federal task force established in 2014 under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), this framework for risk management processes can be used to set standards across Federal agencies and the organizations that work with them.

Today, the NIST framework is a main point of reference for any organization looking to implement a secure and reliable process for managing cybersecurity risks and other potential supply chain issues. The framework is a living document regularly updated to meet the latest challenges in the data privacy space.

Learn more: What is NIST RMF? Risk Management Framework

What Are the NIST Best Practices for Supply Chain Management?

The 2022 revision NIST SP 800-161 offers comprehensive guidelines for handling supply chain risks related to information and communications technology. These recommendations are divided into three main categories: foundational practices, sustaining practices and enhancing practices.

Think of these categories as sequential stages. You’ll need to implement foundational practices before you move on to sustaining practices, and sustaining must come before enhancing.

1. Foundational Practices: Establishing a Process for Supply Chain Risk Management

Some of the best practices recommended in NIST SP 800-161 for creating a foundation for a supply chain risk management process include:

Dedicate a multidisciplinary team to your vendor and technology risk oversight
Create and fill dedicated roles for risk oversight procedures
Gain support from senior leadership to ensure adequate resources
Implement a governance hierarchy and a governance structure
Codify processes for identifying and assessing the criticality of your suppliers, products and services and conducting formal risk assessments, preferably using FIPS 199 impact levels
Establish internal checks and balances for compliance
Integrate risk oversight practices into your policies regarding supplier selection
Raise internal awareness and understanding of the importance of supply chain risk management
Create processes and practices for quality control and consistent development practices

Learn more: Guide: Risk Management Strategies To Future-Proof Your Organization

2. Sustaining Practices: Improving the Efficacy of Your Supply Chain Risk Management

Some of the best practices recommended in NIST SP 800-161 for building on your foundational risk management processes include:

Implement third-party risk assessments
Create a program for monitoring suppliers
Define and quantify levels of acceptable risk
Determine key supplier risk metrics and create procedures for tracking and reporting them
Formalize your information sharing procedures
Establish a training program for vendor risk practices
Integrate supply chain risk management practices into your supplier contracts
Solicit supplier participation in contingency planning and incident response
Collaborate with suppliers to address risk factors
Expand supply chain risk management training to all applicable roles across your organization

Learn more: How to Mitigate Third-Party Risks in Your Supply Chain

3. Enhancing Practices: Predicting Supply Chain Issues Before They Impact Your Business

Some of the best practices recommended in NIST SP 800-161 for building a structured supply chain risk management program include:

Codify processes for quantitative risk analysis, optimize risk response resources and measure your return on investment
Use insights gained over time to identify key risk factors and create predictive strategies to address risks before they arise
Introduce automation into your cybersecurity oversight procedures whenever possible
Join a community of practice where you can improve your cybersecurity risk management practices

Learn more: 5 Reasons Your Company Should Automate Third-Party Risk Management – Onspring

Additional NIST Resources

Organizations implementing a supply chain risk management program often reference several complementary NIST publications, including:

NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-39
NIST SP 800-30r.1
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) Publication 199
NIST SP 800-53

How to Future-Proof Your Vendor Risk Program

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of recognizing and addressing risk factors in your supply chain when your organization is responsible for providing or securing local and state services. The best guide to follow when establishing or enhancing your supplier risk program is the NIST Risk Management Framework. A structured platform can help Public Sector teams manage these challenges more effectively while taking advantage of AI advancements without exposing their organizations to unnecessary risk.

See how Onspring’s platform supports these efforts and get a demo today.

Integrated Threat Hunting: A Smarter Path for Stretched Federal SOCs

Posted on by Richard Verwers

Why visibility, automation and collaboration are now mission-critical

Federal Security Operations Center (SOC) teams are under relentless pressure. Teams are increasingly stretched thin as agencies grapple with AI-enhanced threats, Zero Trust requirements and operational mandates like FISMA 2.0. Despite limited staff and growing workloads, though, the mission remains clear: defend critical infrastructure, secure sensitive data and maintain compliance.

For split-second contexts in the face of critical alerts, fragmented tools and siloed data only make matters worse. Analysts lose time switching between platforms. Revalidating and responding to quickly escalating threats takes time away from mission continuity.

Federal SOCs require integrated, intelligence-driven platforms that support end-to-end threat visibility, rapid response and secure information sharing.

Modern Federal SOCs Face Mounting Challenges

Staffing shortfalls are now a systemic issue. The cybersecurity talent gap currently exceeds 5.5 million unfilled roles globally, with Federal agencies competing for a shrinking pool of qualified professionals.

Meanwhile, tool sprawl and console fatigue complicate workflows. Analysts must juggle multiple platforms to correlate data, validate incidents and track lateral movement all while meeting increasingly complex compliance reporting mandates.

Agencies must also contend with:

AI-generated malware that evades signature-based detection
Expanding attack surfaces from hybrid environments and remote endpoints
Escalating compliance expectations tied to FISMA modernization, OMB M-24-14 and Zero Trust architecture maturity

To keep pace, teams need tools that consolidate, correlate and streamline.

Real-time Response Enhances SOC Agility

Threat impact is defined by the time it takes to respond properly. Delayed containment leads to higher costs and increased exposure. That’s why real-time response is now essential to any defensible cybersecurity posture.

Modern endpoint detection and response (EDR) platforms allow teams to:

Isolate compromised endpoints instantly
Terminate malicious processes at the source
Prevent data exfiltration in-flight
Apply automated playbooks for repeatable, standards-based remediation

These capabilities reduce manual intervention and align with CISA’s SOAR guidance, enabling SOCs to act swiftly within a Zero Trust model. For Federal teams, this also supports audit-readiness with timestamped forensic records that meet FISMA and OMB compliance requirements.

Unified Telemetry Accelerates Threat Hunting

Siloed data weakens an analyst’s ability to detect patterns and perform deep investigations. By unifying endpoint telemetry across devices and environments, teams gain access to richer datasets and longer retention windows for root cause analysis.

Carbon Black EDR captures high-fidelity endpoint activity and retains up to 180 days of telemetry, letting teams uncover threats that may have originated weeks or months prior.

With behavior-based analytics, SOCs can move past static signatures and detect anomalies faster. This involves pinpointing lateral movement, privilege escalation and indicators of compromise before damage escalates.

Collaboration and Data Sharing Reduce Operational Risk

Cybersecurity is a team sport, but without integrated data sharing, even the best defenses can fall short. Fragmented environments limit visibility, making it difficult to act on shared intelligence across tools and agency teams.

Integrated platforms streamline threat intelligence sharing through features such as:

The Carbon Black Data Forwarder, which simplifies integration with SIEM/SOAR platforms
API-driven data sharing that supports automation and collaboration
Compatibility with Zero Trust frameworks, particularly the Device Pillar of OMB M-24-14

With cross-environment visibility and collective learning, SOC teams can improve incident response while advancing cybersecurity maturity across the agency.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Federal SOCs face high-stakes situations where time and clarity are critical and impact lives in real time. Every alert demands focus. Every decision must be defensible. To operate effectively under pressure, teams need platforms that reduce noise, unify workflows and enable smart action.

Carbon Black and Carahsoft help Federal teams do more with less. We empower analysts with the real-time insights and interoperability they need to protect what matters most.

Contact us to learn how your agency can simplify threat detection, response and collaboration with Carbon Black EDR.

10 Healthcare Technology Predictions Shaping 2026

Posted on by Tim Boltz

Carahsoft, The Trusted IT Solutions Provider for the Healthcare Industry™, supports healthcare organizations in their mission to deliver efficient, high-quality care across the enterprise. Our comprehensive portfolio of healthcare solutions addresses critical needs across clinical systems, patient experience, enterprise operations, infrastructure and more. We help healthcare organizations streamline workflows, reduce administrative burden and improve security, maximizing the value of technology investments. As healthcare continues to evolve through regulatory changes, innovation and shifting care delivery models, these 10 trends represent the most significant opportunities and challenges facing the industry in 2026.

Interoperability: From Compliance Exercise to Strategic Asset

The 21^st Century Cures Act and the Office of the National Coordinator’s (ONC) Health Data, Technology and Interoperability (HTI)-1 Final Rule have pushed standardized Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)-based Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and expanded data classes into the market. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule adds pressure on both payers and providers to exchange information seamlessly. In 2026, however, organizations that treated these regulations as checkbox compliance activities will watch competitors turn interoperability into operational advantage.

Real-time data feeds reduce prior authorization delays. Integration platforms surface insights that drive value-based care arrangements. Data warehouses built for exchange, not just storage, become the foundation for population health management. The early adopters are not just meeting regulatory requirements. They are using data exchange to reduce administrative burden, improve care coordination across settings and unlock revenue opportunities that siloed systems leave on the table.

The Transparent Use of AI in Healthcare

In 2026, healthcare leaders will shift from asking should they use AI to how to document and explain it. The HTI-1 Final Rule introduced algorithm transparency requirements: disclosure when artificial intelligence (AI) and machine Learning (ML) algorithms influence clinical decisions. Clinical teams need to understand when AI-driven insights are guiding care recommendations, and patients deserve to know when algorithms influence their treatment plans.

Regulatory bodies expect organizations to prove their AI tools meet safety and efficiency standards. The organizations that move early on AI governance frameworks, establish clear documentation standards and train clinicians on algorithm literacy will be ready when transparency moves from recommended to required.

AI will also be used as the voice of healthcare. Call center staff miss operational targets by spending 25 minutes on a single call, AI, however, can make 50+ simultaneous calls while giving each patient the time they need. This capability transforms patient engagement at scale. AI enables follow-up with 100% of discharges, identifying interventions that prevent readmissions and materially impact the quadruple aim: better outcomes, better patient experiences, lower costs and improved clinician satisfaction.

Telemedicine Shifts to Integrated Care Model

Telemedicine exploded during the pandemic as an emergency solution. In 2026, leading organizations will stop treating telehealth as a separate channel and start embedding it into the care continuum. Digital front doors guide patients to the right care setting, whether that is video, in-person or asynchronous messaging.

The technology exists and the patient demand has been proven, but what is missing is the operational maturity to weave virtual care into clinical workflows, reimbursement models and quality measurement. Organizations that integrate this technology into their environments will deliver better access without fracturing the care experience.

The Revenue Cycle

Healthcare organizations have been exploring AI in clinical settings (ambient documentation, diagnostic support, care coordination), but the revenue cycle may deliver faster more measurable returns. Prior authorization is a prime target. AI can automate the documentation assembly, predict approval likelihood and flag missing information before submission.

Coding accuracy is another opportunity. Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools can analyze clinical documentation and suggest appropriate diagnosis and procedure codes, reducing claim denials and capturing revenue that incomplete documentation would lead to. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) conversation around AI will shift in 2026. Revenue cycle leaders will demonstrate tangible Return on Investment (ROI): fewer denials, faster reimbursement and reduced administrative costs. These wins will fund broader AI adoption across the enterprise.

Value-Based Care

The shift to value-based care has been talked about for years, but 2026 is when data infrastructure limitations become impossible to ignore. Value-based contracts require organizations to track outcomes across care settings, measure quality metrics in real time and identify high-risk patients before they become high cost. Siloed Electronic Health Records (EHRs), fragmented data warehouses and manual reporting processes cannot support these requirements.

Organizations need integration platforms that pull data from multiple sources, such as inpatient, outpatient, lab, pharmacy and claims. They need analytics tools that surface actionable insights, not just dashboards, and they need governance frameworks that ensure data quality and consistency.

The healthcare organization succeeding in value-based arrangements are not necessarily the largest or best-resourced. They are the ones that invested early in data infrastructure and developed the analytical capabilities to turn information into action.

Cybersecurity: From IT Issue to Board-Level Risk

The proposed changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule published December 2024 represents a significant escalation in regulatory expectations. If finalized in 2026, covered entities will face requirements for data encryption, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), network segmentation, vulnerability scanning and penetration testing. The Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Cybersecurity Performance Goals provide a voluntary framework, but the proposed HIPAA updates suggest these practices may become mandatory.

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) who can translate technical risks into business impacts will gain influence. Organizations that invest in both technology controls and governance frameworks will build resilience that extends beyond compliance checkboxes. Organizations that elevate cybersecurity to a strategic priority will be better prepared when threats escalate.

The Digital Front Door

Patient expectations have changed. People expect to schedule appointments, complete intake forms and access their health information online. The digital front door is more than a patient portal. It is a comprehensive strategy to meet patients where they are. In 2026, leading organizations will integrate digital patient engagement tools into a seamless experience, reducing administrative burden on staff, improving patient access and generating operational efficiencies.

However, digital tools that do not connect to existing workflows create more problems than they solve. Integration of patient-facing technology with operational systems eliminates duplicate work and improves patient and staff experiences.

Rural Healthcare Transformation

The Rural Health Transformation Program represents the most significant Federal investment in rural healthcare infrastructure with $50 billion over five years, starting in 2026. This funding creates opportunities for technology investments that rural hospitals and health systems, particularly patient-facing solutions, technical assistance for IT and cybersecurity and innovative care models that often depend on digital tools.

Rural organizations that prepare strong applications will access resources that can transform their operational capabilities. However, rural organizations often lack the IT staff, strategic planning capacity and vendor relationships that larger systems have. The organizations that succeed in securing and deploying these funds will be those that partner with experienced implementation teams, prioritize high-impact use cases and build sustainable technology roadmaps.

Technology vendors and solution providers should pay attention to this program. It represents a market opportunity to support underserved communities with solutions that improve access, reduce costs and strengthen resilience.

Workforce Solutions Beyond Scheduling and Talent Management

Healthcare’s workforce crisis continues as burnout and turnover remains high. Traditional solutions help but do not solve the underlying challenges and impact staffing shortages have on care delivery and patient experience. In 2026, forward-thinking organizations will expand their workforce technology strategy beyond administrative efficiency to include tools that directly reduce clinician burden and improve job satisfaction.

Clinical and operational technologies improve the work experience, and organizations that recognize this and invest accordingly will differentiate themselves in competitive labor markets. Workforce development technology such as training platforms, competency management systems and career advancement tools can help organizations grow talent internally rather than recruiting externally. This is especially valuable for rural hospitals that cannot compete with compensation alone. The organizations that treat workforce challenges as technology opportunities will build more resilient, engaged and effective teams.

The Role of Process Automation

Healthcare has embraced automation is administrative functions like claims processing, appointment reminders and billing. These applications deliver clear ROI and do not require clinical engagement. Clinical applications, however, require different considerations than back-office automation. These workflows involve judgement, variability and patient safety concerns.

Automation in clinical settings requires trust. Clinicians need to understand how automated processes work, when to intervene and how to escalate exceptions. IT and operational leaders need to ensure automation enhances workflows rather than creating workarounds that introduce new risks. Healthcare organizations that approach automation thoughtfully will reduce burden, improve efficiency and demonstrate that technology can support instead of complicate clinical work.

These trends represent opportunities for healthcare organizations to leverage technology in pursuit of better outcomes, improved efficiency and stronger financial performance. The organizations with clear priorities, engaged leadership and commitment to implementation will position themselves for success. As regulatory requirements evolve and patient expectations rise, technology partnerships become essential to delivering high-quality care while managing costs and operational complexity.

Explore Carahsoft’s Healthcare Technology solutions portfolio to discover compliant, secure solutions tailored for healthcare organizations.

Download Carahsoft’s Healthcare Buyer’s Guide to evaluate solutions that meet your organization’s operational and compliance requirements.

Contact the Healthcare Team at (571) 591-6080 or Healthcare@carahsoft.com to discuss solutions that accelerate your technology adoption.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Federal Cybersecurity Mandates

Posted on by Craig Picken and Elizabeth Schultheisz

Federal cybersecurity mandates are constantly evolving to keep pace with a rapidly changing technological ecosystem, focusing primarily on visibility and record-keeping within software architecture. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) remains a steadfast and reliable investigative tool, tracking, alerting to and aiding resolution of suspicious endpoint activity across an agency’s siloed infrastructure.

“Never Trust, Always Verify” With EDR

As malicious actors’ methods and priorities shift the Federal Government’s must evolve as well. Current cybersecurity mandates emphasize a Zero Trust approach, focusing on verifying all end users and devices in near real-time. These mandates should be considered the minimum requirement for an agency’s cybersecurity posture. Agencies should deploy multiple verification and prevention technologies to secure those endpoints.

An effective EDR solution can quickly distinguish between normal and anomalous activity in Federal endpoints. Its continuous monitoring is critical for rapidly assessing a threat before sensitive information can be stolen and leaked. Cyber attackers use sophisticated techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI) to gain an advantage. With EDR, Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts can forensically examine the chain of events and not only resolve an issue but proactively set up safeguards to prevent future incidents.

As the threat landscape evolves, it is important not to get caught up in buzzwords such as “modern” EDR. Typically “modern” means that the solution requires cloud connectivity, which can leave crucial blind spots in areas including air-gapped, limited connectivity or other disadvantaged environments. While new EDR capabilities are always being developed, the fundamental aspects have always remained the same. Visibility, as always, is the most crucial of all. An effective EDR solution is feature-rich, mature and can monitor in diverse environments.

Carbon Black EDR: Visibility on All Fronts

Regarding Public Sector cybersecurity, the primary objective is to protect the entire environment, from air-gapped and cloud environments to end-of-life operating systems. As the founders of EDR, Carbon Black offers a mature solution that can be configured to alert SOC teams to previously unknown, potentially interesting activity. By using open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), agencies can retain total data sovereignty and pass it off to Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems.

Carbon Black EDR offers a full lifecycle cybersecurity solution. The solution proactively and continuously monitors all endpoints and is compatible with multiple integrations. Through watchlists, threat intelligence and other methods, Carbon Black EDR detects anomalous or malicious activity and helps SOC analysts respond through various means. SOC teams can also visualize the progression of the attack through diagrams or timelines. This customizable threat intelligence allows Carbon Black EDR to be a well-rounded solution for any agency looking to align with Federal cybersecurity mandates.

A mature, effective EDR solution always has endpoint activity awareness at the forefront, giving SOC analysts unparalleled visibility into their environment. This focus is crucial, as Federal mandates continue to focus on a Zero Trust approach to cyber security. Increasing your endpoint visibility through EDR not only improves reaction time during a crisis incident but allows SOC teams to proactively prevent future cyberattacks.

Want to learn more about how Carbon Black EDR enhances your endpoint visibility? Contact our Broadcom team at Broadcom@carahsoft.com or visit our website.

How Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Creates a Successful Cybersecurity Posture

Posted on by Craig Picken and Elizabeth Schultheisz

Stringent cybersecurity measures are crucial to secure Public Sector operations, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a critical tool in that belt. Malicious adversaries range from rogue actors to nation-state-sponsored attacks, and all frequently target specific organizations that deal with highly sensitive data. By itself, EDR can quickly identify abnormal behaviors or code and help the SOC analyst team respond accordingly. When paired with other Security Operations Center (SOC) tools, EDR further broadens SOC visibility and increases operational efficiency. Federal agencies can use that intelligence to not only resolve security breaches, but also proactively adjust their security measures to prevent further incidents.

All Eyes on the Data: EDR and Data Visibility

Visibility is a fundamental tenet of EDR. When SOC teams have access to data that is current and actionable, they can make calculated, proactive decisions and respond appropriately in crisis scenarios. An effective EDR tool will monitor existing data, detect anomalous behavior and respond to threats in real time.

Data from across multiple sources is recorded and compared against watch lists that SOC analysts can use to search for anomalous activities. Additionally, known threat vectors are continuously monitored in near real-time, and analysts are automatically alerted to suspicious behavior. EDR looks at all endpoint activity, not just individual data silos, and presents that raw data to SOC analysts in a usable, searchable manner.

Efficiency and Data Quality: Two Sides of the Same Coin

It is not just the quantity of data SOC teams can access that matters; the quality of the data is just as crucial. Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and SOC teams need to make fast, defensible decisions in both routine and crisis scenarios. Analysts do not have the time to sift through all alert activity and determine those that need immediate response. An effective EDR solution allows for tuning of watchlists to prioritize alerts. By receiving higher fidelity alerts, SOC analysts optimize time spent investigating and providing real-time response by isolating endpoints or acting directly to terminate suspicious processes.

It is not enough for security alerts to be prioritized; if the information is unreliable or incomplete, any analyses or flags extrapolated from that data are virtually worthless. A data-based EDR solution allows SOC analysts to resolve issues quickly, reducing the risk of faulty decisions.

Carbon Black EDR: The Premier Option

After observing the need for security and visibility in endpoints, Carbon Black was founded and pioneered EDR. Its open architecture with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) makes it possible to correlate the data with other SOC tools, such as network, identity, endpoint protection and data protection tools. Additionally, Carbon Black EDR can integrate with different security products, including Security Information and Event Management Systems (SIEMS). This holistic vision allows SOC teams to understand the entire lifecycle of potential attacks, and accurate data ensures that analysts know exactly what, where and how an incident occurred.

This layered approach to cybersecurity is especially valuable to the Public Sector. Many Federal teams work in multiple siloed or air-gapped networks, and each of these networks have different functions. Carbon Black EDR has the flexibility to be deployed in multiple environments and tailored to their individual operations.

Want to learn more about how Carbon Black EDR can elevate your cybersecurity posture? Contact our Broadcom team at Broadcom@carahsoft.com or visit our website.

How Microsoft’s OneGov Agreement Brings Affordable AI-Enhanced Productivity to the Federal Government

Posted on by Jenna Hafey

Federal agencies have a need to advance artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and transform Government by modernizing legacy IT systems. Microsoft’s OneGov Portfolio delivers AI-powered collaboration capabilities through pre-negotiated discounts, giving agencies a simple and predictive way to obtain Microsoft Solutions at significant cost savings.

Aligned with the General Services Administration’s (GSA) OneGov strategy to unify agencies and reduce technology silos, the program provides Federal agencies with streamlined access to Microsoft 365 Copilot, cybersecurity and monitoring tools, as well as tools to assist with citizen engagement and streamlining operations. This approach simplifies procurement, accelerates deployment and delivers measurable productivity gains across mission-critical operations.

Enhanced Productivity and Secure Collaboration

The Microsoft OneGov offer provides the AI-powered productivity capabilities of Microsoft Copilot with applications agencies are using today like Word, Outlook and Teams. The platform enables users to draft content, analyze complex datasets and automate repetitive processes without switching between systems or learning new interfaces.

Government‑tailored versions of the Microsoft 365 applications operate within Microsoft’s U.S. sovereign cloud environment, giving agencies secure channels for cross-agency communication. Agencies also receive cloud storage through Microsoft OneDrive for secure, real-time collaboration and AI capabilities through Microsoft Copilot that accelerate daily workflows, including:

Content generation: MicrosoftCopilot generates first-draft documents in Word, reducing time spent on routine writing tasks and enabling staff to focus on substantive review and refinement.
Accelerated communication: Microsoft Copilot summarizes lengthy email threads and drafts responses in Outlook, streamlining correspondence management across complex organizational structures.
Process automation: Users build agents in Microsoft Copilot to orchestrate multi-step processes, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors in repetitive workflows.

Entra ID, Microsoft’s Identity Management Platform, provides identity management capabilities that support secure collaboration across agencies. Administrators gain automated access policies, conditional access controls and enforcement of least-privilege principles, ensuring users access only content explicitly authorized for their roles.

The offer includes built-in automation and bulk-assignment tools that streamline license deployment and management for agencies of all sizes. Once licenses are deployed, they are readily available to users, expediting the onboarding process.

Meeting Federal Security and Compliance Requirements

Solutions deployed through Microsoft’s Government Community Cloud (GCC) and Government Community Cloud High (GCC‑High) operate in U.S. sovereign cloud environments designed to meet Federal compliance standards. The offer supports FedRAMP High authorization and Department of Defense (DoD) Impact Level 4 (IL4) requirements through comprehensive security controls:

Encrypted data handling protects information in transit and at rest.
Role‑based access control and continuous monitoring provide layered security.
Data residency guarantees ensure information remains within authorized geographic boundaries.
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) enforces identity‑based access, least‑privilege permissions and robust conditional access policies across all services.

Simplified Procurement for Federal Buyers

Microsoft’s OneGov offer provides Federal agencies with pre-negotiated, standardized pricing up to 70% compared to standard GSA rates. The program supports agency-wide purchasing, reduces duplicative contracting and provides multi‑year discounts on solutions such as Microsoft 365 G5 and Copilot.

All purchases remain within the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), streamlining administrative tasks and simplifying budget planning. This structure enables agencies to act quickly on modernization initiatives while maintaining compliance with Federal procurement regulations.

Deployment and Adoption

Microsoft has end customer development funds available through the OneGov Portfolio offer to assist customers with rapid deployment, implementation and adoption of these tools.

The Power of Strategic Partnerships

As The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider®, Carahsoft worked closely with Microsoft to add OneGov offers to Carahsoft’s GSA MAS, making pricing widely accessible and offering standardized discounts ranging from 50-100% to Federal agencies. This partnership delivers pricing advantages on Azure Services, Microsoft 365, Copilot and Dynamics 365.

Microsoft and Carahsoft provide comprehensive support for environment qualification, anniversary alignment, suite conversions and deployment across GCC, GCC-High and DoD environments. By combining OneGov incentives with existing enterprise agreements, agencies gain simplified procurement, predictable pricing and meaningful cost savings that accelerate modernization timelines.

Explore Microsoft’s OneGov portfolio to discover available solutions aligned with the needs of Federal agencies.

Contact the Microsoft Team at (844) 673-8468 or Microsoft@carahsoft.com to receive pricing details or schedule an overview of OneGov offerings for your agency.

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Microsoft, we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the Carahsoft Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as Carahsoft’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

Top Cybersecurity Trends Reshaping Federal Risk Management in 2026

Posted on by Jeff Ladner

If you’re a governance, risk and compliance (GRC) professional on the Federal level feeling overwhelmed by the many recent and constantly changing cybersecurity trends, you’re not alone. As in many industries, Federal risk management has been all but upended by the rise of artificial intelligence and other major advancements in technology.

As a cybersecurity professional, you might be hesitant to jump on the latest bandwagon in favor of the tried-and-true methods you’re used to. While caution is always warranted, being overly reluctant to upgrade can hold you back from making beneficial changes to your organization that improve efficiency without compromising data security. In this guide, we’ll review exactly what you need to know about the five most impactful trends in cybersecurity right now, including what you and your team should be doing now to stay a step ahead of the competition as well as bad actors.

Top 5 Trends in Cybersecurity in 2026

To keep cyber threats at bay and prevent data breaches, you need to be aware of the latest changes in the cybersecurity space, including those that offer bad actors more opportunities to get in your way.

1. AI-Powered Monitoring

What it is: Artificial intelligence (AI) using large language models (LLMs) and machine learning (ML) has been the most monumental shift to the GRC landscape in many years. With the help of generative AI programs like ChatGPT, risk professionals can collect and analyze troves of data in a fraction of the time they used to.

How it impacts GRC: Whether or not your organization explicitly allows the use of AI, many employees will have an interest in a tool that promises to cut their workload without compromising on quality. Of course, those promises are often overblown. The truth is that working with the wrong kind of AI can expose your organization to greater risk of errors, compliance issues and data breaches.

How to stay ahead: Avoiding AI altogether will only mean your organization risks falling behind competitors that aren’t afraid to adapt to the latest technology. Instead of avoiding it, it’s vital to learn how to use AI responsibly.

2. Criminal Use of AI

What it is: GRC professionals and others who safeguard data aren’t the only people with access to the generative power of AI. Naturally, cybercriminals and other bad actors have as much access to AI as you do. In fact, there are even specific generative AI platforms tailored for criminals, such as FraudGPT.

How it impacts GRC: We probably don’t need to tell you that more empowered and efficient cybercriminals are an obvious threat to the integrity of your organization’s data. Any trove of personal or financial data will provide a tantalizing target to such criminals, as risk managers in Federal agencies are well aware.

How to stay ahead: It makes the most sense to fight fire with fire. When used correctly, AI programs excel at analyzing large amounts of data and flagging abnormalities that might indicate the presence of online intruders.

3. Quantum-resistant Encryption

What it is: Encrypted data has a new threat: quantum computing. Put simply, these advanced computers use the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations at exponential speed. For now, this technology is expensive and difficult to access, but future advancements might make quantum computing much more widespread within the next decade.

How it impacts GRC: Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize problem-solving across the globe, empowering people to better understand our universe and share resources equitably. Unfortunately, well-intentioned people won’t be the only ones with access to this powerful technology. For GRC leaders, your main concern should be how easy quantum computing makes it to unlock encrypted data.

How to stay ahead: The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) has spent the last eight years developing a set of new standards for encryption that can stand up to the threat of quantum computing, called post-quantum cryptographic standards. Getting familiar with these standards and formulating a plan to implement them is the best way to stay on top of this rapidly advancing technology.

4. Automation Beyond Generative AI

What it is: While recent headlines may make it sound like there is only one type of AI that matters, the newest cybersecurity tools aren’t limited to what’s offered by generative AI. Cybersecurity automation doesn’t rely on written prompts or require constant human monitoring to avoid mistakes. Instead, purpose-built automation can pull live data from your systems and analyze it for patterns without introducing additional third-party risk.

How it impacts GRC: The benefits of automation for cybersecurity professionals are hard to overstate. When used properly, cybersecurity automation can help you and your team eliminate repetitive tasks, detect threats and anomalies more quickly, and kick off pre-programmed incident responses without human intervention.

How to stay ahead: Keep your organization competitive by employing automation that connects to your existing tools and processes, offers no-code options for less tech-savvy team members and incorporates NIST requirements and compliance frameworks.

5. Predictive Analytics in Healthcare GRC

What it is: When it comes to protecting and acting on patient data, any wave of new technology in the cybersecurity market brings with it additional challenges. The rise of AI and other types of automation appeals to healthcare GRC professionals as much as any other risk manager, but these organizations require significantly more caution than needed for compliance in other industries.

How it impacts GRC: As more healthcare organizations adopt automation to streamline workflows, possibilities are expanding for the focus on patient care to shift from reacting to existing concerns to proactively identifying and addressing potential risk factors. While promising, this potential future poses new, complex challenges for healthcare GRC managers looking to avoid exposing sensitive patient data to mistakes, misinterpretation and theft.

How to stay ahead: Fortunately, predictive analytics can also be used to flag potential compliance issues that can lead your organization to fall afoul of regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Stay Informed as Cybersecurity Technology Advances

Feeling more prepared for the next wave of technological advances in GRC? Don’t get too comfortable. The cybersecurity landscape is always changing, and you’ll need to successfully incorporate these trends to be ready for the next round of changes.

Get the insights into cybersecurity trends you need to stay ahead of the curve:

Watch our on-demand webinar “Building Resilient Organizations: Future of AI Risk Management”
Download the free ebook “Using AI in Risk Management for GRC Teams”
Learn more about how Onspring’s platform makes the most of AI advancements without exposing your organization to unnecessary risk
Looking for cybersecurity partners? Get a demo today

Healthcare Cybersecurity in the Federal Government: Protecting Patient Data at Scale

Posted on by Jeff Ladner

Federal healthcare programs process millions of patient records every day. One small gap in protection could put sensitive healthcare data at risk. As a GRC or infosec leader, you understand that modern cyber threats target these systems with a dual purpose: to steal vital patient data and to lock down critical files for ransom.

These healthcare programs manage patients’ medical histories, prescriptions and payment information. Although the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital health initiatives to improve data protection, it also made data more attractive targets for cybercriminals.

Explore the healthcare cybersecurity challenges that Federal agencies face, along with practical ways to strengthen defenses. You’ll also discover how automation can help your team achieve cybersecurity compliance without unnecessary complications.

The Scale of Patient Data in Federal Healthcare

Federal healthcare systems, such as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) or the Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, deal with vast amounts of patient data. This could be electronic health records (EHRs), billing details or research databases that connect hospitals, clinics and vendors across the country.

A breach of this data affects not only the institution but the patients as well. It can delay timely care, disrupt healthcare services and leave patients vulnerable to the exploitation of their sensitive information.

For example, a ransomware attack on a large health system makes electronic records temporarily inaccessible. The staff has no option but to revert to paper-based processes to keep services up and running. This can result in inaccuracies and slowed care. When Federal healthcare programs are targeted, the impact can ripple across states and agencies.

Federal healthcare programs operate under strict regulations designed to protect patient data. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule sets national standards for healthcare covered entities, including specific government agencies, and business associates regarding the protection of electronic health information.

For Federal use of cloud services, FedRAMP ensures that cloud providers meet rigorous security standards. Compliance lays the foundation for a structured approach to managing risks and maintaining accountability across systems.

Common Cyber Threats Federal Healthcare Organizations Face

Healthcare organizations at the Federal level face a range of cyber threats. These risks come from various sources, including employees, medical devices and external parties such as contractors and agencies. The most common include:

Phishing attacks targeting employees for credential theft
Ransomware locking down entire databases
Medical devices, such as imaging machines and connected monitors, introducing entry points due to inconsistent software updates or monitoring
Simple human mistakes, such as misconfigured access permissions or password sharing, exposing critical systems

This is why security awareness training is as important as technical defenses. If your staff is educated to proactively identify these cybersecurity threats, you can strengthen your institution’s first line of defense against them.

Implementing an automated cybersecurity platform can further help. With an efficient security tool, you can create policies that protect patient data at every step of its lifecycle.

How To Protect Patient Data at the Federal Level

When your agency maintains strong compliance practices, you are better positioned to detect and respond to threats and recover quickly from incidents. Here are ways to meet and go beyond HIPAA and protect health data at the Federal level.

Stay Prepared for Effective Incident Responses

Even with strong controls, incidents still occur. That’s why clear incident response plans are essential. These plans define roles, responsibilities and communication protocols for teams during a cyber event.

For instance, if a breach occurs in your agency’s health system, your IT, risk, compliance and leadership teams can minimize its impact with timely coordination. To make this happen, they need to regularly test their response plans to identify gaps before a real incident occurs.

You can also implement tabletop exercises in your agency. These practices allow teams to simulate ransomware attacks or data breaches to refine their decision-making skills and strategies.

Post-incident reviews are equally important. Agencies can learn from events without assigning blame.

Ensure Data Governance

Data governance is a practical approach to managing the storage, accessibility and sharing of healthcare data. It enables Federal agencies to clearly define ownership and access rights over critical patient data while establishing retention policies. This reduces confusion and improves accountability within teams.

Strong governance also supports cybersecurity compliance by ensuring that controls are applied consistently across systems. For example, your Federal agency can use a centralized platform to track who can access patient records and log any changes. This way, you can meet HIPAA and FedRAMP requirements and maintain a clear audit or incident investigation record.

Reduce Risk With Visibility and Automation

Many emerging technologies are helping Federal healthcare organizations manage cybersecurity more effectively. Centralized platforms provide visibility across multiple systems, helping security teams spot unusual activity quickly.

Moreover, automation reduces manual work and lowers the chance of human error, such as misconfigured permissions or missed updates. For instance, automated alerts can notify administrators if an unusual login occurs outside regular hours. These small interventions can prevent a minor vulnerability from escalating into a full-scale breach.

Establish Secure Digital Health Systems

Connected medical devices are essential for modern healthcare, but they require human monitoring to operate efficiently. You need processes that make sure that your digital healthcare devices are patched and configured securely. They should also support quick and smooth monitoring of any unusual behavior.

If your agency works with any third-party system, it must also meet Federal cybersecurity standards. This adds another layer of oversight to protect patient data from unexpected threats.

For example, a Federal hospital network implemented continuous monitoring of imaging devices and connected patient monitors. Its IT team uses these technologies to quickly identify and isolate potential intrusions. This enables them to protect patient data before things go south while maintaining clinical operations.

Increase Security Awareness Across the Organization

Technology alone isn’t enough. It needs the same level of collaboration from humans to efficiently protect healthcare data. For that, you need to launch security awareness programs to educate your employees on identifying phishing attempts, handling sensitive data and following proper protocols.

This step shows visible improvements in employee vigilance. Staff who understand the “why” behind security policies are more likely to follow them consistently, reducing risk for the entire organization.

Align People, Process and Technology

In cyber-resilient organizations, strong processes, capable people and reliable technology all work together to protect critical data at scale. While leadership support encourages accountability and consistency, clear procedures guide teams in responding to threats confidently.

When people, processes and technology collaborate, agencies are better prepared to handle cyberattacks. This approach also establishes an environment where patient data is protected at every step of care delivery.

How GRC Platforms Support Federal Healthcare Teams

Many Federal agencies today rely on flexible, no-code platforms that simplify risks, compliance and incident management. Healthcare teams usually include professionals who aren’t that tech-savvy. These tools allow them to track controls, document incidents and manage workflows without heavy IT involvement.

With an AI-powered GRC platform like Onspring, you can take advantage of an AI framework in healthcare to automate your agency’s repetitive tasks and centralize its information. Free up your staff from administrative work and allow them to focus on proactive security measures.

The platform scales with your agency’s needs. As healthcare programs grow or regulations evolve, your workflows can be updated without overhauling the whole system. Onspring also offers GovCloud support for Government environments for cybersecurity teams to manage and automate security-related functions.

Discover How Technology Reduces Cybersecurity Risks at the Federal Level

Check out our blog on HIPAA Security Risk Assessment.
Contact us to get a free demo of the platform.

Top 10 Zero Trust Events for Government in 2026

Posted on by Alex Whitworth

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and perimeter-based security models become increasingly obsolete, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) has emerged as the foundation of modern cybersecurity strategy. From identity-centric access controls to continuous validation and application-level segmentation, Zero Trust principles are transforming how agencies protect sensitive data, secure hybrid environments and defend against advanced persistent threats. Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider®, supports Federal, State and Local agencies in their journeys through partnerships with leading Zero Trust solution providers. The following events represent opportunities to gain actionable insights, connect with industry experts and explore technologies that accelerate Zero Trust maturity across the Public Sector.

ATARC’s Cybersecurity Futures: Built on Zero Trust Summit – Part I

February 26, 2026 | Reston, VA | In-Person Event

The Advanced Technology Academic Research Center’s (ATARC) Cybersecurity Futures: Built on Zero Trust Summit delivers a comprehensive exploration of Zero Trust operationalization for Federal professionals. This intensive one-day event addresses the practical challenges agencies face when implementing Zero Trust across both legacy and modern systems, featuring expert guidance on artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled threat detection, workforce development and policy evolution. Participants will engage directly with Public Sector decision makers and top industry partners to explore topics such as real-world applications, frameworks and proactive resilience.

Sessions to look out for:

“Zero Trust Beyond Compliance” – This panel examines how agencies can move past basic compliance approaches to build resilient, adaptive ZTAs that address legacy system modernization and robust data protection strategies.

“Next‑Gen Threats, Next‑Gen Defenses: The Tech‑Cybersecurity Equation” – Experts from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory and the Department of War’s (DoW) Chief Digital and AI Office explore how AI and automation are reshaping advanced threats and defensive capabilities that can reduce incident response timelines by up to 40%.

Carahsoft is proud to co-host this Summit at our Conference & Collaboration Center, alongside ATARC, NextGov/FCW and Washington Technology, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to advancing Zero Trust adoption across the Federal Government. Throughout the day, our team will be available to connect Government professionals with the resources, expertise and solutions needed to successfully implement ZTAs that protect mission-critical operations. We will showcase Zero Trust innovations in our pavilion and are offering 12 unique sponsorships opportunities for our vendor partners, including panel participation, technology showcases and more!

CyberSmart 2026 – The Two Edges of AI’s Sword

April 9, 2026 | Reston, VA | In-Person Event

FedInsider’s CyberSmart 2026 examines how AI is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape for Federal and State agencies. This half-day event will feature expert-led discussions on balancing AI’s defensive power with its potential for exploitation and applying Zero Trust principles across software supply chains and critical infrastructure. Designed for cybersecurity leaders, attendees can engage and network with peers, participating in strategic conversations on balancing innovation with security mandates.

Sessions to look out for:

“The Intersection of AI and Cyber (and Cyber Defense)” – This session analyzes how AI is revolutionizing cyber warfare tactics, examining both its potential to enhance agency defenses and its exploitation by adversaries.

“Zero Trust and Supply Chain Security Belong Together” – Participants will explore strategies for embedding Zero Trust frameworks into software supply chain risk management.

Hosted at the Carahsoft Conference & Collaboration Center, this summit is co-organized by Carahsoft and FedInsider. Recognizing the importance of balancing AI innovation with security frameworks, the event will center around critical discussions on Zero Trust, OT protection and AI-risk mitigation. CyberSmart 2026 reinforces Carahsoft’s dedication to helping Government agencies navigate the dual opportunities and risks presented by AI in cybersecurity by connecting them with proven solutions and strategic guidance.

GovCIO CyberScape Summit

April 16, 2026 | Arlington, VA | In-Person Event

GovCIO’s CyberScape Summit assembles Federal and industry cybersecurity leaders to address top priorities in defending against sophisticated threats. The 2026 program emphasizes emerging solutions in AI, Zero Trust and identity, cloud and supply chain security, critical infrastructure protection, data security and incident response capabilities. Held at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View, this one-day event offers attendees the opportunity to engage with experts on strategies for building cyber resilience across Federal missions.

Sessions to look out for:

“Advancing Identity Management and Zero Trust” – This dedicated session examines how to strengthen identity management and implement ZTAs that secure access points and reduce organizational risk.

“Securing Critical Infrastructure” – While infrastructure-focused, this session will address Zero Trust principles as agencies work to protect essential systems from increasingly sophisticated threats.

Carahsoft is partnering with GovCIO for the CyberScape Summit, facilitating conversations to aid Federal agencies as they strengthen their cybersecurity posture through Zero Trust and identity management strategies. As The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider®, Carahsoft provides agencies with expertise, resources and proven technologies needed to advance Zero Trust maturity and meet Federal compliance requirements. Our team will be present throughout the Summit to offer guidance and insights on how to turn Zero Trust principles into actionable implementation strategies.

DGI 2026 Virtual Workshop – Zero Trust in Practice: Lessons from Public-Private Frontlines

April 23, 2026 | Virtual Event

The Digital Government Institute’s (DGI) Zero Trust in Practice workshop convenes Public and Private Sector leaders to share Zero Trust implementation strategies and lessons from real‑world deployments. This focused two-hour virtual session emphasizes operational approaches to securing hybrid environments, protecting sensitive data and reducing attack surfaces through continuous validation and application‑level segmentation. The program highlights recent guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Zero Trust Architecture Implementation Report and provides agencies with maturity benchmarks for assessing their Zero Trust progress. This workshop is part of DGI’s mission to deliver in‑depth education for Government IT.

Sessions to look out for:

“CISA’s Zero Trust Architecture Implementation Report: What It Means for Your Roadmap” – This session translates the latest CISA guidance into actionable takeaways, helping agencies align their initiatives with established implementation benchmarks and maturity measures.

“Operationalizing Zero Trust Across Hybrid & Application Layers”– Practitioners share proven strategies for continuous validation and application‑level segmentation, drawing from frontline implementation experiences across Government and industry.

Carahsoft actively supports the Federal Zero Trust community and is partnering with DGI for the 2026 Zero Trust in Practice workshop, helping to facilitate meaningful knowledge exchange between Government professionals and industry experts. Our team will provide attendees with insights on aligning Zero Trust strategies to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), DoW and CISA frameworks. By bringing together Public and Private Sector perspectives, Carahsoft is fostering a collaborative environment where Government professionals can gain actionable takeaways to advance their agency’s Zero Trust maturity.

AFCEA TechNet Cyber

June 2-4, 2026 | Baltimore, MD | In-Person Event

TechNet Cyber, held at the Baltimore Convention Center, is AFCEA International’s premier cybersecurity summit and tradeshow. Drawing more than 5,000 defense, military and Federal IT professionals, the event focuses on persistent and advanced cyber threats. This three-day forum brings together leadership from U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), the DoW Chief Information Officer (CIO), industry and academics to explore strategic architectures, cyber operations, policy and joint capabilities essential for national defense. Attendees can engage in expert-led panels, keynote addresses and innovation showcases focused on AI, DevSecOps, network defense and ZTA.

Attendees can expect:

Zero Trust to be a key focus throughout the event, based on AFCEA’s continued emphasis on secure architectures and identity-driven defense strategies.

Carahsoft will support the defense and intelligence community at TechNet Cyber 2026 by hosting a Partner Pavilion, providing personalized consultations, sharing implementation success stories and helping attendees identify practical pathways to enhance their agency’s cyber defense capabilities in alignment with the DoW’s Zero Trust strategy. Join Carahsoft and our partners at this year’s event to be a part of the innovative path forward!

930gov – Mission-Enabled Modern Technology Forum

July 28, 2026 | Washington, D.C. | In-Person Event

The Digital Government Institute’s (DGI) flagship 930gov conference brings together Government IT professionals and industry innovators at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for their 14^th annual gathering. Strategically scheduled near fiscal year end, the event features over 50 exhibits and programming across five solution tracks: Records Management, EA/Mission Enablement, Artificial Intelligence and Data Management. and Cyber/Zero Trust. This format enables agencies to align mission objectives with technology investments while connecting directly with decision makers, subject matter experts (SMEs) and actionable content developed by an educational advisory committee. As the longest‑running multi‑sponsored technology forum for the D.C. Public Sector, 930gov provides unparalleled access to solutions and expertise.

Sessions to look out for:

Cyber/Zero Trust Track: “Operationalizing ZT Across Agencies” – Sessions will address implementing Zero Trust aligned with NIST and CISA guidance, integrating identity, data and application‑level segmentation and documenting lessons learned from Government rollouts.

EA/Mission Enablement Track: “Enterprise Architecture for AI & Mission Outcomes” – This track examines how enterprise architecture drives innovation, enables AI and machine learning (ML) capabilities and helps agencies transition from process‑orientation to results‑driven cultures.

Committed to helping Federal agencies navigate the intersection of cybersecurity, Zero Trust and emerging technologies, Carahsoft actively supports and promotes 930gov. As Government agencies face pressure to modernize while maintaining robust security postures, Carahsoft is aiding them in finding strategic insights, proven frameworks and expert guidance needed to align technology investments with mission objectives. Our team will be facilitating meaningful conversations across all five tracks, with a particular focus on Zero Trust principles and AI strategies.

Billington CyberSecurity Summit 2026

September 8-10, 2026 | Washington, D.C. | In-Person Event

The 17th Annual Billington CyberSecurity Summit is a gathering of Federal, State, Local and industry cybersecurity leaders at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Drawing over 2,500 attendees and featuring 200+ speakers across 40+ sessions and breakout discussions, the summit addresses today’s most critical cyber threats, policy developments and defense innovations. The comprehensive agenda explores AI, secure architectures and emerging cyber trends through plenary keynotes, leadership luncheons and interactive receptions. More than 100 vendor booths will showcase cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.

Attendees can expect breakout tracks and panel sessions exploring:

identity-centric defense

threat intelligence

resilience strategies

Carahsoft is looking forward to sponsoring this year’s Billington CyberSecurity Summit and will host a booth to engage with attendees in meaningful discussions and share insights from across the Federal landscape. We will also be hosting a large partner pavilion where attendees can explore proven solutions and receive strategic guidance on how to implement ZTAs that protect mission-critical operations. Check back for more details closer to the event!

GovCIO Federal Cloud & Data Forum 2026

October 8, 2026 | Washington, D.C. | In-Person Event

GovCIO’s Federal Cloud & Data Forum addresses the critical intersection of secure cloud adoption, data modernization and Zero Trust integration for Federal IT and cybersecurity professionals. This one-day forum will examine how agencies can leverage cloud technologies while maintaining compliance with Federal mandates such as Executive Order (EO) 14028 and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum 22-09. Attendees will explore strategies for securing multicloud architectures, implementing effective data governance and harnessing AI-driven analytics, all essential components for achieving mission success in today’s complex threat landscape.

Past sessions covered topics such as:

Applying Zero Trust principles in cloud environments to secure hybrid and multicloud architectures.

Leveraging data modernization and AI to enhance decision-making and mission outcomes.

Carahsoft is proud to partner with GovCIO for the Federal Cloud & Data Forum, supporting Federal agencies as they navigate the complexities of secure cloud adoption Zero Trust implementation. We will showcase leading solutions from our vendors that help agencies accelerate their cloud journey while maintaining compliance with Federal cybersecurity frameworks. By participating in the Forum, Carahsoft positions itself to better serve the Federal community in its efforts to modernize infrastructure while protecting sensitive data and mission goals.

ATARC’s Public Sector Zero Trust Summit – Part II

November 19, 2026 | Reston, VA | In-Person Event

The second installment of ATARC’s Public Sector Zero Trust Summit extends the conversation on implementing Zero Trust frameworks across Federal, State and Local agencies. This event convenes Government and industry leaders to address practical implementation strategies, legacy modernization challenges and the integration of emerging technologies like AI and automation into ZTAs. Attendees will benefit from thought leadership sessions, networking opportunities and actionable insights aligned with Federal mandates and CISA guidance on Zero Trust maturity.

Past sessions covered topics such as:

Zero Trust Implementation Strategies for Public Sector Environments

Cross-Agency Collaboration and Lessons from Real-World Deployments

Carahsoft is proud to support ATARC’s Zero Trust initiatives and will sponsor the November summit, continuing our year-round commitment to helping Federal agencies advance their Zero Trust maturity through every stage of implementation. We will showcase leading solutions from our vendor ecosystem, connecting agencies with the resources and expertise needed to accelerate their journey towards comprehensive Zero Trust adoption.

2026 Cyber Leaders Exchange

TBD 2026 | Virtual Event

The Cyber Leaders Exchange serves as a premier forum for Federal cybersecurity executives and industry leaders to collaborate on strategies for defending against evolving threats and implementing Zero Trust across Government networks. The event has historically featured keynote presentations, expert panel discussions and networking opportunities centered on identity management, secure cloud adoption and compliance with Federal cybersecurity mandates. Attendees can expect actionable insights on operationalizing Zero Trust principles and leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen cyber resilience across agency missions.

Carahsoft is partnering with Cyber Leaders Exchange again this year for the 2026 Cyber Leaders Exchange, supporting discussions on Zero Trust and cybersecurity modernization. We will engage with attendees throughout the event to share proven strategies, discuss lessons learned from real-world implementations and help agencies identify actionable approaches to strengthening their cybersecurity posture. Our team will showcase solutions from our vendors that accelerate Zero Trust adoption and meet Government compliance requirements. Check back for more details on this critical virtual forum!

This lineup of 2026 events reflects the urgency of adopting Zero Trust in order to protect the critical assets, sensitive data and national security interests that exist in Government networks. These events offer professionals opportunities to learn from pioneering implementations, connect with solution providers and accelerate their own Zero Trust journeys. Carahsoft remains committed to supporting agencies at every stage of Zero Trust maturity through our comprehensive portfolio of vendor-leading solutions. Join us at the events above to explore how we can help your organization achieve Zero Trust objectives, strengthen cyber resilience and maintain compliance with Federal mandates.

To learn more or get involved in any of the above events, please contact our team at ZeroTrustMarketing@Carahsoft.com.

For more information on Carahsoft and our industry-leading Zero Trust technology partners, visit our Zero Trust solutions portfolio.