Clear the Path to Rebuilding: Laserfiche Can Speed Up Permitting and Recovery

Posted on by Andy MacIsaac

The LA wildfires left behind more than just burned homes and scorched landscapes. They left thousands of residents waiting—waiting to rebuild, waiting for approvals, waiting for their lives to return to normal.

For local governments, the challenge is not about issuing permits; it’s about restoring hope and stability. And they need to do it as quickly as possible. But the traditional permitting process wasn’t designed for disasters. It’s slow, paper-heavy and frustrating for both officials and residents.

What if there was a way to cut through the backlog and get permits approved faster? Laserfiche is an industry-leading ECM platform that makes that possible.

When Every Day Counts

Imagine a homeowner who lost everything in the fire. They have insurance money ready, a contractor lined up and blueprints in hand. But before they can break ground, they need permits.

They submit their application, but local permitting offices are overwhelmed. Stacks of paperwork cover desks, phone lines are busy and approvals move at a snail’s pace. Weeks turn into months. Frustration builds.

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Now, imagine a different scenario. The homeowner submits their permit online through a simple portal. The system automatically routes their application to the right department. Any missing information is flagged upfront. Officials review and approve it digitally, cutting out unnecessary back-and-forth. The homeowner gets their permit in days instead of weeks.

That’s the power of Laserfiche.

Make Permitting Faster and Easier

Laserfiche transforms outdated, manual permitting into a fast, automated process. This automation helps local governments do more with less and keep up with demand.

Digital Applications Instead of Paper Piles

Rather than requiring residents to stand in line at government offices, Laserfiche allows them to:

Submit applications and supporting documents online
Track their permit status in real time
Receive digital approvals without having to visit multiple offices

For government teams, this means fewer phone calls, fewer lost documents, and a smoother process from start to finish.

Streamline Workflows and Boost Efficiency with Automation After a wildfire, the volume of permit requests can overwhelm city staff. Laserfiche eliminates bottlenecks by:

Automatically routing applications to the right people for review
Sending notifications when approvals are needed
Setting up reminders so permits don’t get stuck in the system

This keeps things moving, reducing unnecessary delays and helping homeowners start rebuilding sooner.

Make Smarter Decisions with GIS

Rebuilding isn’t just about speed—it’s also about safety. Some areas may be too fire-prone to redevelop with standard building practices. Some properties may need extra environmental and safety reviews before construction can begin.

Laserfiche connects directly with Esri ArcGIS, allowing officials to:

Link permits and inspection reports to real-time maps
Identify high-risk zones and flag permits that need extra review
Track rebuilding progress across the entire community

By combining permitting data with GIS mapping, governments can make informed, responsible decisions. These decisions can help protect communities and property owners from future disasters.

Keeping Up with FEMA and State Requirements

For local governments, disaster recovery isn’t just about issuing permit. It is about making sure everything is documented to receive state and federal funding.

Laserfiche simplifies compliance by:

Storing all permit records in a centralized, searchable system
Automatically tracking approvals, inspections, and changes
Generating reports for FEMA and state agencies without digging through stacks of paper

This ensures local governments don’t miss out on critical funding due to missing paperwork or lost records.

Keep Communities Informed in the Recovery Process

For residents affected by wildfires or disaster, waiting for a permit can feel like waiting in the dark. When will their application be reviewed? Where does it stand in the process? What else do they need to provide?

Laserfiche helps keep communities informed by:

Enabling residents to check their permit status via a a public-facing portal
Making information easily accessible by streamlining public records requests
Improving collaboration between departments so everyone stays on the same page

When people know what’s happening, trust in the process grows—and so does confidence in their local government.

Rebuilding Faster, Together

The wildfires may have destroyed homes, but they didn’t destroy the spirit of the communities they touched. Local governments have the power to clear the way for faster rebuilding—and Laserfiche can help.

With content management, automated approvals, GIS integration, and better compliance tools, cities and counties can:

Reduce permit approval times from weeks to days
Prevent paperwork delays and lost documents
Ensure compliance with FEMA and state regulations
Speed up inspections and safe rebuilding efforts
Improve communication and transparency for residents

For families and business owners eager to rebuild, every day matters. The faster the permits are issued, the sooner construction begins, and the sooner life can return to normal.

Let’s Get Started

If your city or county is struggling with permitting delays after the wildfires, Laserfiche can help. Contact us today to see how our automation and workflow solutions can support your recovery efforts. See why Laserfiche is a Leader.

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 Laserfiche, 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.

Modernizing Government Workflows: Breaking Down Silos for Faster, Smarter Collaboration

Posted on by Dave Rheaume

State and local government teams are under pressure to do more with less. They’re facing rising demands for digital services, growing cybersecurity threats, and shrinking budgets—but outdated systems slow them down. Siloed tools, manual processes, and limited visibility make it harder to serve communities efficiently.

So how can government teams move faster, work smarter, and improve service delivery?

From silos to seamless collaboration

Many government agencies rely on a patchwork of disconnected tools, legacy systems, and manual workflows to manage critical operations. While these systems may have worked in the past, a lack of modernization and cohesive results leads to wasted time, security risks, and high costs.

Agencies need more than just tools—they need a modern, connected way to work. By modernizing workflows and adopting agile, automated processes, they can:

Deliver services faster with fewer bottlenecks
Boost collaboration across IT, operations, and mission teams
Improve transparency with real-time project tracking
Make smarter decisions with AI-powered insights

How agencies are driving change

Government agencies are moving away from outdated, disconnected systems and adopting modern, integrated workflows to improve efficiency and service delivery. By leveraging automation, cloud-based collaboration, and agile project management, they’re breaking down silos, delivering better citizen services, and increasing productivity.

The California Department of Health Care Services saved $2.2M on one project alone using Atlassian and improved delivery time by 66% with Cloud Enterprise. Read more about how they saved millions.
The State of Utah upgraded to Jira Software and Confluence Cloud, seeing more than 90% faster change reviews after cloud migration and completed migration 2.5 years ahead of schedule. Read more about their cost and time savings.

State and local agencies can apply these same principles to streamline processes, cut costs, and improve citizen services.

Start small, scale fast

Transforming government workflows doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Agencies can start with small, strategic changes that drive immediate impact and scale over time.

Identify bottlenecks. Where are delays slowing things down?
Automate repetitive tasks. Free teams for high-impact work.
Connect teams. Break down silos with transparent workflows.

Government agencies don’t need more tools—they need a smarter, integrated approach to getting work done.

Connecting cloud solutions across an agency with Atlassian’s System of Work

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Government teams—from California’s Department of Health Care Services to the State of Utah—are accelerating modernization by adopting multiple Atlassian cloud products across their agencies. These solutions aren’t just integrated—they’re connected in a way that creates a shared foundation for how work gets done. That foundation is Atlassian’s System of Work.

Built on the Atlassian Cloud, this System of Work connects tools, teams, and data to provide a unified context across programs and mission goals. It enables agencies to plan, track, and scale work more effectively, creating the clarity and collaboration needed to deliver better outcomes, faster.

Here’s how the Atlassian Cloud System of Work helps agencies work smarter—together:

Align work to goals. Ensuring every task and project is directly connected to strategic objectives enhances visibility and accountability across teams.
Plan and track work collaboratively. Utilizing tools like Jira enables teams to plan, track, and manage work collectively, fostering transparency and coordination.
Harness collective knowledge. Platforms like Confluence facilitate the sharing and organization of information, breaking down silos and promoting informed decision-making.

By adopting Atlassian’s System of Work, agencies can transition from fragmented processes to integrated workflows. With more clarity and collaboration, teams can move faster, collaborate better, and deliver exceptional services.

Ready to cut through the complexity? Learn more about Atlassian’s cloud solutions and join our April 15^th webinar: Smarter Government, Faster Results: How AI & Cloud Are Transforming Citizen Services.

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 Atlassian, 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.

Modernizing Government IT: A Case Study in JSM Implementation

Posted on by Harjinder Singh

A local government entity responsible for managing IT service operations across multiple departments (including Utilities, Fire, Clerk’s Office, City Manager’s Office, Finance, HR, and more) needed to modernize its IT service management system. Their existing ITSM platform was costly, difficult to maintain, and fragmented across departments, making it inefficient to manage service operations. To streamline operations, they selected Atlassian’s Jira Service Management (JSM) as a scalable, cost-effective solution that could be rapidly deployed to support IT and departmental service needs.

ANB Technologies partnered with the government entity to implement JSM, leveraging ANB’s high-velocity accelerators to optimize processes, reduce costs, enhance delivery speed, and automate workflows.

Key Challenges:

The local government entity faced several challenges with its legacy ITSM system, including:

Fragmented Service Operations: Each department had its own service workflow, causing inefficiencies and inconsistencies in handling service requests.
High Costs: The existing system was expensive, requiring significant investment in maintenance and lengthy upgrades.
Difficult to Maintain and Scale: Expanding the system to support additional departments and use cases was slow and complex.
Manual and Inefficient Workflows: The lack of process standardization led to delays, increased workloads, and poor visibility into service requests.

Our Solution:

To address these challenges, ANB Technologies implemented JSM as a modern, centralized IT service management platform, leveraging ANB’s High-Velocity Accelerators—built on industry best practices and preconfigured JSM components—to enable rapid deployment and streamlined operations.

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Incident Management: Incident management processes was optimized with a structured JSM workflow for consistent issue resolution across departments. SLAs and an impact-urgency-priority matrix improved categorization, routing, and response efficiency, while automated notifications kept stakeholders informed.
Service Request Management: JSM implementation also included development of automated workflows of service request types across multiple departments. The implementation included workflows for IT-related requests such as software and hardware provisioning, email access, and account setup. HR processes like employee onboarding and offboarding were streamlined.
Self-Service Portal: A JSM based self-service portal was implemented, allowing employees to submit and track requests in real time. The portal was backed by a comprehensive knowledge base, equipping users with self-help resources to resolve common issues independently.
Comprehensive Knowledge Management: A centralized knowledge base in Confluence was introduced, providing end-users and service agents with structured access to troubleshooting guides, department procedures, and internal support documentation for seamless collaboration and issue resolution.
Asset Management: For asset tracking, JSM Asset management application was configured to manage IT and city-owned resources, including laptops, desktops, software licenses, and department-specific equipment such as vehicles and facility assets. Data relationships between users, groups, locations, and divisions were established to provide comprehensive asset visibility and lifecycle tracking.

Outcomes:

By leveraging Jira Service Management (JSM), ANB Technologies rapidly delivered a modern IT service management solution, enabling the local government entity to:

Empower Users with Self-Service & Knowledge Management: Employees could self-resolve issues and track their requests, reducing IT and administrative workload.
Reduce Costs: Transitioning to JSM eliminated costly maintenance and licensing fees, lowering overall expenses.
Streamline Service Operations & Reduce Resolution Times: Unified JSM incident and request workflows improved service delivery and significantly reduced resolution times.
Improve Transparency & Visibility: Departments gained real-time insights into service requests, incidents, and asset tracking.
Speed to deliver: By eliminating lengthy platform upgrades and enabling rapid development, the time to market for launching new JSM features was significantly reduced.

Conclusion

By implementing Jira Service Management (JSM), ANB Technologies enabled the local government entity to replace its costly, fragmented, and difficult-to-maintain system with a centralized, scalable solution. The rapidly deployed JSM platform streamlined workflows across departments, reduced operational costs, improved service efficiency, and enhanced visibility—ensuring long-term success.

Join Atlassian, ANB Technologies, and Carahsoft during our webinar on March 18, 2025 to learn more about this use case and implementing Jira Service Management into 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 Atlassian, 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.

The Top 10 AI Events for Government in 2025

Posted on by Mike Adams

Artificial intelligence (AI) has grown from simple automation and robotics in the mid-20^th century to modern-day advanced technology, experiencing major evolution within the last several years. The power of AI and increased usage across many Public Sector markets has sparked a new wave of innovation surrounding development of tools, solutions, policy, ethics and more. Whether showcasing new technologies or networking with AI tech industry experts, dive into Carahsoft’s recommendations below for the top upcoming AI events to attend this year as we explore all these topics and what is to come for AI.

Ai4 

August 11 – 13 | Las Vegas, NV | In-Person Event 

Ai4 2025 is North America’s premier artificial intelligence conference, scheduled for August 11–13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The event is set to host over 8,000 attendees, 600+ speakers, and 250+ exhibitors, offering a comprehensive platform for exploring AI advancements across various industries, including the public sector.

Ai4 2025 features a dedicated Government Track that delves into how AI transforms public services, enhancing operational efficiency and improving decision-making within Government agencies.

Key Themes and Sessions Include:

AI in Public Infrastructure: Insights from leaders like Dr. Mike Horton, Chief AI Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation, on integrating AI into transportation systems while navigating regulatory landscapes.

Healthcare Innovations: Discussions on how the Veterans Health Administration is leveraging AI to enhance patient care through proactive and personalized solutions.

Ethical AI and Governance: Exploration of AI ethics, data governance and compliance, crucial for public sector implementations.

Join and connect with Carahsoft partners at Ai4, including: Dataiku, Dell Technologies, Google Cloud, IBM, MongoDB, Oracle, Red Hat, Anaconda, Lilt, NetApp, Snorkel, ZLTech, Weights & Biases, Yurts and Domino.

Public Sector Low-Code App Engine Innovation Workshop

August 13 – 14 | Vienna, VA | In-Person Event

This two-day, hands-on Low-Code App Engine Innovation Workshop will show how agencies are reimagining their approach to automation and app development with ServiceNow’s Creator Workflows and Generative AI. Learn how to boost productivity at scale by building high-value, low-code mission apps with App Engine.

During this workshop, attendees will learn:

How to identify the right problems to solve in your agency with Low-Code tools.

Successful examples of how other agencies are driving rapid innovation at scale with ServiceNow’s Low-Code App Engine.

Practice ideation and rapid Low-Code app creation techniques that focus on making the world of work, work better.

Carahsoft is the proud host of this event and is please to offer 16.6 continuing professional education (CPE) credits to those that attend the event through NASBA.

State & Local Government AI Summit

August 14 | Boston, MA | In-Person Event

The Center for Public Sector AI and the Center for Digital Government are building on the momentum of their AI Summit by bringing together state and local CIOs, AI leaders, and private sector partners to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping Government. As agencies work to unlock AI’s potential while addressing trust, ethics, privacy and workforce challenges, this event offers a dynamic space to connect with peers and innovators who are driving real transformation across Government.

Connect with Carahsoft partners AWS, Dataminr and Dell Technologies at the State and Local AI Summit.

AI For Defense Summit

September 3-4 | National Harbor, MD | In-Person Event

The 4th Annual AI for Defense Summit will bring together leaders from the Department of Defense (DoD), Federal agencies, industry, academia and the intelligence community to explore the strategic integration of artificial intelligence in defense operations. This year’s event will showcase advancements in generative AI, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and operational AI, while addressing key topics like software acquisition reform, human-machine integration, and safeguarding critical infrastructure. Through panels, keynote sessions, and networking, attendees will gain insights into how AI is reshaping warfighting capabilities, accelerating decision-making, and strengthening national security across all domains.

Connect with Carahsoft partners, including OpenAI, Ask Sage, Fiddler, Everfox, Seekr, AutogenAI and Scale AI.

Billington Cybersecurity Summit

September 9-12 | Washington, D.C. | In-Person Event

A long-standing and experienced event, the Billington Cybersecurity Summit features an extensive array of cyber topics, speakers, sessions, and interactive breakouts for attendees to truly immerse themselves in the world of today’s emerging cybersecurity solutions and trends. In its 16th year, this leading Government cybersecurity summit promises an exceptional lineup of Government presenters, an invaluable leadership luncheon, an all-attendee networking reception and over 100 vendor booths featuring strategy development and technology demos.

For a sneak peek into what you can expect at the summit, topics covered during last year’s event included:

Zero Trust

Ransomware

Advancing cyber diplomacy

Learning how to use proactive defenses

Engineering AI into cybersecurity platforms

Implementing an effective risk management approach

Protecting critical infrastructure

Stay tuned to the website for announcements around the speaker lineup and further summit information.

Carahsoft is looking forward to sponsoring this year’s event and will feature a booth to engage with attendees throughout the week. We will also be hosting a large partner pavilion and encourage attendees to stop by and learn more about our partners and their technology solutions! Check out the events tab on our website for more details closer to the event!

ACT-IAC Digital Transformation Summit

September 17 | Reston, VA | In-Person Event

Digital transformation is reshaping how Government, industry and academia operate by leveraging new and evolving technologies to streamline business processes, reduce manual work through automation and expand access by overcoming geographic limitations. It enhances efficiency, agility and scalability, while delivering greater value and satisfaction to staff, customers and stakeholders. Often described as “reimagining how we do business,” successful digital transformation requires strong leadership, a clear vision, staff buy-in, and a solid understanding of how to maximize the impact of technology investments.

Sessions to Look Out for: Breaking Ground: Real-World Implementation of AI and Next-Gen Technologies and Workforce Management in the Digital Age: AI-Driven Strategies for Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement of Government Employees

This Summit is being planned and hosted by ACT-IAC and Carahsoft and will focus on where Digital Transformation is today, how it has been used to transition to new innovative technologies and how it has improved overall performance. This event will also include an international element to hear how other countries have utilized digital technologies successfully.

Dreamforce

October 14 – 16 | San Francisco, CA | In-Person Event

Dreamforce 2025, Salesforce’s flagship technology conference emphasizes AI-driven transformation, with a particular focus on the public sector. A central theme is “Agentforce,” Salesforce’s AI-powered digital labor platform designed to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery. For public sector organizations, Agentforce offers tools to automate tasks, improve constituent services, and streamline workflows. Sessions will showcase real-world applications, such as AI-powered virtual assistants, automated case management, and advanced analytics through Tableau Next, all aimed at modernizing government operations

Sessions to Look Out for: Public Sector Product Roadmap: Future-Proof Your Mission and Elevate Every Education Journey with AI, Data, and Action.

Carahsoft partner, Salesforce, returns with the most impactful event of the year. Carahsoft is looking forward to hosting a Public Sector networking reception at Dreamforce again in 2025. Stay tuned for more details to attend or participate alongside us as a sponsor! Check out the events tab on our website for more details closer to the event!

GovAI Summit

October 27 – 29 | Arlington, VA | In-Person Event

The GovAI Summit 2025, scheduled for October 27–29 in Arlington, Virginia, is a premier event focused on the integration of artificial intelligence within the public sector. Organized by Modev, the summit aims to bring together government officials, policymakers, technologists, and industry leaders to explore the transformative potential of AI in governance.

Discussions will emphasize the importance of ethical, non-discriminatory, and responsible AI governance, aligning with the mission of the GovAI Coalition to promote AI for social good.

SC25: International Conference for High Performance Computing

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November 16-21 | St. Louis, MO | Hybrid Event

Supercomputing25 (SC25) is the premier global conference for high-performance computing (HPC), networking, storage and analysis, tailored to address the needs of Government, defense and research organizations. This year’s event explores the transformative impact of HPC technologies on solving critical challenges, advancing national security and driving innovation across scientific and governmental missions.

At SC25, there will be a wide array of programming including presentations on new research, showcasing innovative work or practices and teaching and guiding the next generation of HPC students and professionals.

Carahsoft will once again host a large pavilion space and is an exhibiting sponsor of SC25 along with many of our partners at the forefront of high-powered computing, including AWS, Broadcom, Cloudian, Dell, Google, Groq, HPE, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Microway, NVIDIA, Oracle, Red Hat and VAST Data.

DODIIS Worldwide

December 7 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | In-Person Event

The DoDIIS Worldwide Conference 2025, scheduled for December 7–10 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, will spotlight the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within defense and intelligence operations. Hosted by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), this event gathers leaders from the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), industry and academia to discuss mission-critical technologies and strategies.

Carahsoft will host an expansive Partner Pavilion highlighting cutting-edge technologies that support artificial intelligence. Within this space, our AI booth—located in the Vertical Alley—will feature demos from our AI solution partners.

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To learn more or get involved in any of the above events please contact us at AITeam@carahsoft.com. For more information on Carahsoft and our industry leading AI technology partners’ events, visit our AI solutions portfolio and AI Events page.

The Top 10 Customer Experience and Engagement Events for Government in 2025

Posted on by Tiffany Goddard

Customer experience (CX) and engagement is at the forefront of positive innovation in Government, creating efficient and convenient services, accessible access to information and opportunities for communication between agencies and their customers to build a clearer understanding of public needs and how to develop and reform operations. Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider®, features a portfolio of industry-leading solutions and providers to support the Government in its efforts to share and report information to its community. Throughout this year, new and returning events will showcase the latest technologies, generate meaningful conversations through networking sessions and provide live product demonstrations to enhance Government CX. We look forward to joining these events with you soon!

2025 Government Contact Center Summit

April 30 | Reston, VA | In-Person Event

Join us for the inaugural Government Contact Center Summit. Dorris Consulting, in collaboration with ACT-IAC, will bring you a day of thoughtful discussions on delivering outstanding digital experiences with best-in-class contact centers. Learn best practices for Government Contact Centers, explore new technologies and solutions and network with leaders from Government and industry.

As the hosting organization, Carahsoft is excited to partner with DCI and ACT-IAC for the inaugural Government Contact Center Summit at our Carahsoft Conference & Collaboration Center. Join us to hear from and meet Government and industry leaders at the forefront of Government Contact Center innovation.

Carahsoft AI for Government Summit

May 15 | Reston, VA | In-Person Event

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Carahsoft’s AI for Government Summit is the premier event for exploring how AI is revolutionizing the Public Sector. This summit brings together Federal, State and Local Government leaders, industry innovators and technology experts to discuss the transformative potential of AI in addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Attendees will gain actionable insight into how Generative AI is transforming Government operations, how AI can streamline public services, cybersecurity and data protection, and how to leverage AI for predictive analytics and decision-making, as well as tackling ethical, privacy and compliance challenges.

Session to Look Out for: Enhancing Customer Experience (CX) in the Public Sector with AI: AI is transforming how Government interacts with citizens. This session will explore how AI-driven chatbots, virtual assistants, and automation improve service delivery and user satisfaction in public-facing Government services.

Carahsoft is the proud host of the AI for Government Summit. This was a milestone event in 2024 with speakers from NVIDIA, OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, AWS, Dell, HPE and others. Join us at the Carahsoft Conference & Collaboration Center to learn about all things AI within the Public Sector.

2025 Government Social Media Conference

May 20-22 | Orlando, FL | Hybrid Event

GSMCON is the largest social media conference for Government. Hear from 25+ Government speakers participating in more than 20 sessions and breakouts on the latest social media trends, industry secrets and best practices. Attendees will gain real, actionable strategies while fostering connections with Government social media professionals around the globe.

Sessions to look out for:

Accessible and Inclusive Social Media Strategies for Government Agencies

The Fresh Brand of Bel-Air: Keep Employee Engagement Fresh

As a Premium Exhibitor at GSMCON in 2025, Carahsoft, along with our partners LinkedIn, Hootsuite and Sprout Social are excited to participate in the premier social media conference for Government agencies for its 10-year anniversary event. Visit our Carahsoft exhibit booth to meet the team and our partners.

Government Customer Experience & Engagement Summit

June 3 | Washington, D.C. | Hybrid Event

The Government Customer Experience & Engagement Summit serves as a crucible for knowledge exchange to build a customer-centric Government. Join Federal and State and Local experts, thought leaders and CX professionals to discuss how emerging technologies are revolutionizing Government CX. Explore best practices for digital transformation, improving employee experience, building trust with constituents and implementing innovative technologies to make Government services, information and processes more efficient. Participants will be able to follow two distinct tracks that cater to diverse interests and objectives: technology and culture.

Carahsoft is proud to host our 15th annual summit powered by GovExec. Join us, Government leaders and our CX technology and solutions industry experts as they discuss how the future of Government services and CX lies at the intersection of technology, efficiency and establishing a culture of excellence.

Federal Experience Summit

August | Washington, D.C. | In-Person Event

The Qualtrics Federal Experience Summit brings leaders together to engage with each other on the evolving landscape of CX and employee experience (EX). Attendees will gain insight into innovative technologies that foster digital transformation, improve service delivery and build trust with constituents. Participants can choose between CX and EX breakout tracks to tailor their experience to their agency’s needs.

Carahsoft partner, Qualtrics, is excited to host the Federal Experience Summit once again this year. Join them in Washington, D.C. for discussions on how to listen, understand and act on employee and customer experience feedback. Check out the events tab on our website for more details closer to the event!

Digital Transformation Summit 2025

September 17 | Reston, VA | In-Person Event

The ACT-IAC Digital Transformation Summit provides Government and industry leaders strategies to accelerate the transition from legacy applications to new innovative technologies. Hear leaders share their best practices for building a successful digital transformation approach to meet evolving CX challenges and promote efficiency holistically. Join us for a day of insightful discussions and networking with industry experts, thought leaders and CX professionals.

Sessions to look out for:

Workforce Management in the Digital Age: AI-Driven Strategies for Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement of Government Employees

Safeguarding Digital Services: Federal Success Stories in Cybersecurity and Data Management

Carahsoft looks forward to collaborating with ACT-IAC for the 5th Annual Digital Transformation Summit and hosting the event at our Carahsoft Conference & Collaboration Center. Join us to hear from and meet Government and industry leaders driving Government digital transformation.

Service to the Citizen Awards

September 19 | Washington, D.C.

The Service to the Citizen Awards recognizes public servants at all levels of Government (e.g., Federal, State, Local, tribal and international) for their leadership and dedication to delivering services that impact the publics’ lives and rebuild trust in Government. While the event is for the esteemed award winners and sponsors only, nominations are open through April 4, 2025. Are you or do you know someone who goes above and beyond to deliver an exceptional customer experience to citizens? Have a ‘champion of change’ spirit? Supported initiatives that helped the Government provide remarkable services? Submit your nomination today!

Carahsoft is honored to return as a Platinum sponsor for 2025 and support our partners and customers in their nominations. Join us in honoring exemplary public servants. If you need support with the nomination process, please contact CXmarketing@carahsoft.com.

Dreamforce 2025

October 14-16 | San Francisco, CA | Hybrid Event

Dreamforce is a three-day event featuring the world’s brightest minds in CX to foster discussions about driving innovation and customer success. Discover the latest Salesforce tools and products to help you build engaging digital experiences and meet your constituent’s every expectation. Attend educational breakout sessions, hands-on workshops and network with industry leaders and peers.

Carahsoft partner, Salesforce, returns with the most impactful event of the year. Carahsoft is looking forward to hosting a Public Sector networking reception at Dreamforce again in 2025. Stay tuned for more details to attend or participate alongside us as a sponsor! Check out the events tab on our website for more details closer to the event!

Government Service Delivery 2025

October 29-30 | Washington, D.C. | In-Person Event

The Government Service Delivery event program unites U.S. public service leaders to explore how technology is driving innovation and accelerate the delivery of high-quality government services. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in exclusive roundtables and an open conference over the course of the two days to hear government CX leaders discuss shared challenges to transformation and share insights and intelligence on how they can be overcome to improve public services.

Carahsoft is partaking as a Bronze Sponsor with an exhibit booth and is excited to have the opportunity to connect with our Government’s CX community to learn about their goal and initiatives and how our technology portfolio of solutions can support their goals.

CX Workshop 2025

December 4 | Virtual Event

During this transitional time of Government operations, the need to streamline service delivery is imperative. This Nextgov/FCW virtual workshop brings together Government and industry leaders to share lessons and successful customer experience case studies. CX leaders will guide participants on adopting technology to enhance CX and highlight how agencies can best collaborate.

Carahsoft is returning as an Elite sponsor for 2025. Join us and our partners for conversations on delivering quality digital services and meeting customer expectations. Check out the events tab on our website for more details closer to the event!

Whether you are looking for latest innovations in improving service delivery and employee experience or to learn more about digitization of services and social media trends, join us at an event this year as we explore all topics within the realm of customer experience and engagement.

To learn more or get involved in any of the above events please contact us at CXMarketing@Carahsoft.com. For more information on Carahsoft and our industry leading CX technology partners’ events, visit our Customer Experience and Engagement solutions portfolio and CX events page.

The Top 10 Cybersecurity Events for Government in 2025

Posted on by Steve Jacyna

In 2025, assessment, adaptation and agility are key for Government agencies and the tech industry to successfully navigate the growing landscape of cybersecurity. As part of the recently released White House Executive Order, “Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation’s Cybersecurity” Government agencies are tasked with modernizing polices to meet today’s cyber security challenges which include an emphasis on Zero Trust Architectures, Endpoint Detection and Response, Network Segmentation and advancing Phishing Resistant MFA protocols. Carahsoft is prepared to support and guide the Federal, State and Local Government, as well as Education and Healthcare organizations through this new year in collaboration with our robust network of cybersecurity partners and solutions. Check out these top events to learn more about what to expect in cybersecurity throughout this year.

Public Sector Day at RSA Conference

April 28 | San Francisco, CA | In-Person Event

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Join us for the 12th Annual RSA Public Sector Day at RSA Conference! This year’s program will examine key areas such as developing a strong cybersecurity workforce, understanding the impact of AI on both offensive and defensive cyber operations, and improving the exchange of information among Government entities. Hear directly from top Government leaders and industry professionals as they discuss their perspectives and strategies for enhancing cybersecurity across all levels of Government and healthcare.

Stay connected with Carahsoft as we prepare for another great presence at this year’s event and stay tuned to our RSA Public Sector Day 2025 website for more information on our agenda.

AFCEA TechNet Cyber

May 6-8 | Baltimore, MD | In-Person Event

This flagship event will feature conversations led by national defense professionals, tech industry experts and academia partners discussing topics focused on policy, strategic architecture, C2 and joint capabilities. Explore global security challenges and solutions with IT professionals and learn about new ways to combat sophisticated cybersecurity threats.

Carahsoft’s pavilion will feature more than 50 partners showcasing a full range of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, DevSecOps and cloud solutions. Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose will also be in the Carahsoft booth taping a broadcast TV episode showcasing Government and industry thought leaders at the event. In addition to our pavilion, Carahsoft will be hosting a networking reception on May 7 at Power Plant Live.

Educause Cybersecurity and Privacy Professionals Conference

May 19-21 | Baltimore, MD | In-Person Event

Student safety and security are consistently at the forefront of educator’s minds and discovering innovative and modern ways to ensure those basic requirements are met is imperative. This premier Educause forum connects you with higher education information security and privacy professionals to do just that. Attendees will have the chance to network and discuss the latest cybersecurity trends and current events with peers and solution providers to make a meaningful impact on their individual communities and the education sector as a whole.

Program tracks to look out for:

Privacy

Risk, Compliance and Policy

Awareness and Education

Technologies and Operations

Leadership and Professional Development

We are excited to confirm that we will be attending this year’s conference! Carahsoft has100+ vendors who are dedicated to supporting cybersecurity in education and we, along with our partners, are looking forward to connecting during this premier event. For updates, please email EDUMarketing@carahsoft.com

EDGE25 Security Summit

July 10-12 | San Diego, CA | Hybrid Event

The Government Business Executive Forum (GBEF) is hosting the annual EDGE25 Security Summit to join 400 senior security professionals across multiple industry sectors in three full days discussing the latest global and emerging security threats, strategies and technologies. This is an exclusive, invite-only, event for GBEF members, Government and Carahsoft partners. The summit’s highly interactive, off-the-record executive roundtable agenda offers attendees and participants the opportunity to make connections, share perspectives and speak candidly on technology and mission issues. Additional impactful multimedia presentations will be live and broadcast for virtual attendees, allowing for even more interaction and insight into the progression of world-wide security innovation.

As a Carahsoft partner, you will have the opportunity to join us at GBEF’s leading event, participate in engaging receptions and attend pre- and post-conference activities that encourage building professional relationships across the industry. Additionally, join us as Carahsoft will be sponsoring the welcome reception for attendees aboard the USS Midway on July 10!

SANS Government Security Solutions Forum

July 22 | Virtual Event

The SANS Institute stands on a mission of empowering cybersecurity professionals and honoring the highest standard in cybersecurity education to make the world a safer place. The Government Security Solutions Forum will delve into the latest trends in network protection, AI and cyber defense, supply chain, workforce development and more to help attendees understand how to combat modern threats effectively. At last year’s event, participants engaged with technology experts and listened to unique panel discussions with audience Q&As surrounding invaluable security initiatives across the Public Sector in areas such as Zero Trust implementation, achieving CMMC compliance and harnessing AI. Join us at this year’s event for all this and more!

Carahsoft looks forward to partnering with the SANS Institute for the fifth year in a row to bring this event to life. Carahsoft has over 800 employees focused on cybersecurity and partnerships with over 150 vendors. To learn more about the topics discussed at the forum and what to expect in July, read out highlights from last year’s event.

GovForward ATO and Cloud Security Summit

July 24 | In-Person Event

The GovForward ATO and Cloud Security Summit will be back for its 7^th year on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington D.C. The event will explore the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) changes, and how advancements at the Federal level are impacting the broader Public Sector market.

With over 1000 registered attendees, more than 30 speakers and 10+ engaging sessions and panels at the 2024 event, Carahsoft is excited to join forces with Government Executive again in 2025 delivering even more valuable insights, expert discussions, and networking opportunities for attendees. View highlights from the 2024 event and check back soon for more information on joining us at the 2025 ATO and Cloud Security Summit.

Black Hat USA 2025

August 2-7 | Las Vegas, NV | In-Person Event

Returning to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center this year, the Black Hat USA 2025 program is packed with cybersecurity excellence in research, development and exploration of trends. Get involved with immersive and interactive trainings, live-in person sessions and demos, on-demand briefings, dynamic networking opportunities in the business hall, as well as the Black Hat Certified Pentester (BCPen) certification program. Join Carahsoft and uncover new ways to support your agency’s or organization’s cybersecurity mission.

This year, we are exploring the possibility of hosting a breakfast briefing tailored for the Public Sector—stay tuned for updates as plans develop! Additionally, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting a networking reception again this year, providing a great opportunity to connect with industry peers. Check out the events tab on our website for more details closer to the event!

Billington Cybersecurity Summit

September 9-12 | Washington, D.C. | In-Person Event

A long standing and experienced event, the Billington Cybersecurity Summit features an extensive array of cyber topics, speakers, sessions and interactive breakouts for attendees to truly immerse in the world of today’s emerging cybersecurity solutions and trends. In its 16th year running, this leading Government cybersecurity summit promises an exceptional line up of Government presenters, an invaluable leadership luncheon, an all-attendee networking reception and over 100 vendor booths featuring strategy development and technology demos.

For a sneak peek into what you can expect at the summit, topics covered during last year’s event included:

Zero Trust

Ransomware

Advancing cyber diplomacy

Learning how to use proactive defenses

Engineering AI into cybersecurity platforms

Implementing an effective risk management approach

Protecting critical infrastructure

Stay tuned to the website for announcements around the speaker lineup and further summit information.

StateRAMP Cyber Summit

October 2-3 | Chicago, IL | In-Person Event

Carahsoft is excited to be the presenting sponsor of the 2nd annual StateRAMP Cyber Summit this year. For Public and Private Sector leaders, this is the leading event to come together and examine today’s crucial cybersecurity, risk management and compliance topics.

Here is an overview of what attendees can expect this fall:

Future-focused insights on framework harmonization & AI

Best practices in supplier risk management & procurement

Real-world case studies from top cybersecurity leaders

Discussions on emerging technologies and their compliance impact

With over 350 registered attendees, more than 30 esteemed speakers and 10+ engaging sessions and panels, Carahsoft is honored to have been a presenting sponsor at last year’s inaugural summit. Check out highlights from the 2024 event and check back soon for more information on joining us at the 2025 StateRAMP Cyber Summit.

Carahsoft Cyber Leaders Exchange

October | Virtual Event

Presented by Carahsoft in collaboration with Federal News Network, The Cyber Leaders Exchange will dive into how the Government is building cyber resilience, including showcasing tips, tactics and tools to support your organization’s mission-critical cybersecurity efforts. Look forward to sessions about cybersecurity strategy-building, workforce challenges, AI within cybersecurity and informative speakers from trusted technology vendors as well as Government experts.

Stay tuned for event announcements and more information to be released. Curious about what to expect? Check out highlights from our 2024 Cyber Leaders Exchange. View the events tab on our website for more details closer to the event!

Previous Event Highlights:

Rocky Mountain Cyberspace Symposium

February 10-13 | Colorado Springs, CO | In-Person Event

Connecting people and ideas, RMCS25 is an annual forum for the tech industry, academia and Government to discuss and propose solutions to the challenges of cybersecurity, community cyber readiness and homeland defense facing our nation. The theme of this year was “Securing the Future: Cyber Capabilities, All-Domain Superiority, and Strategic Advantage.” This event explored how cyber capabilities and multi-domain strategies are pivotal in achieving and maintaining strategic advantage in the modern landscape.

Topics highlighted:

Innovation and Rapid Acquisitions

CJADC2 Strategic Opportunities

Modern Deterrence and Special Ops

Securing Space Through Cyberspace

AI Across the Spectrum of Operations

Posturing and Developing Forces

Carahsoft exhibited at the event hosting a small pavilion featuring demos from several of our partners and held a successful networking session at this year’s event!

While the Government and cybersecurity community face a great deal of change over the next year, join Carahsoft at one of these immersive events and be a part of modernization and finding solutions to today’s cyber challenges.

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As technology and the Public Sector’s adoption of Cybersecurity tools advance, the topic remains at the forefront. Our partners are making significant strides in Cybersecurity, and you are invited to join the conversation. Attend these revolutionary events and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

Fal.con Gov

February 27, Washington, D.C., In-Person

Zscaler Public Sector Summit

March 24 – 25, Washington, D.C., In-Person Event

Okta Government Identity Summit

March 5, Washington, D.C., In-Person Event

Palo Alto Ignite

April 1, Tysons, VA, In-Person Event

F5 Public Sector Symposium

April 8 – 10, Tysons, VA, In-Person Event

AWS re:Inforce 2025

June 16 – 18, Philadelphia, PA, In-Person Event

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

How AI Models are Advancing Weather Predictions and Forecasting

Posted on by Mike Adams

AI models have revolutionized weather forecasting, achieving levels of accuracy unimaginable just a few years ago. Today, a four-day forecast is as reliable as a one-day forecast was in the past, allowing meteorologists to predict weather further in advance with increased precision. This has practical benefits for everyday planning, like deciding whether to grill over the weekend or preparing for outdoor activities. More critically, improved forecasting is a game-changer for disaster preparedness in areas where timely and accurate predictions can save lives and reduce economic losses. Carahsoft, The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider™, leads in AI innovation, addressing Government challenges and unlocking AI’s potential to accelerate operations. Partnering with top AI companies, Carahsoft delivers advanced, accurate weather models to support Government agencies.

The Power of AI and Data

Ground-level stations and satellite sensors generate a massive influx of information daily, which AI excels at processing. By analyzing real-time observations alongside decades of historical weather records, AI tools identify patterns and deliver accurate predictions. This capability is particularly valuable during extreme weather events.

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Innovative AI models like Google DeepMind’s GenCast push the boundaries of what is possible in forecasting. GenCast delivers highly detailed forecasts with a resolution of about 16 miles, capturing localized weather patterns often missed by traditional methods. In addition to precision, these models offer unprecedented speed, processing vast amounts of high-quality data in minutes. This efficiency empowers emergency responders and decision-makers to act with confidence, reducing the impact of extreme weather on communities.

The integration of AI into weather forecasting has also significantly enhanced disaster preparedness. AI enables more precise identification of regions of concern, helping meteorologists and emergency teams allocate resources more effectively and reduce unnecessary efforts elsewhere. This targeted approach ensures critical areas receive the attention they need, while also preventing burnout among professionals tasked with monitoring weather events.

Moreover, meteorologists are expanding their roles to include emergency management skills. By combining AI insights with a deep understanding of societal and infrastructure impacts, they ensure forecasts translate into actionable strategies that protect lives and property. The combination of AI’s processing power and human expertise enables more effective evacuations, resource alignment and response efforts.

Challenges and Sustainability in AI Operations

While AI offers transformative benefits, it also presents challenges. The risk of misinformation from AI-generated weather models or images remains a concern, as untrained individuals may spread false predictions, causing unnecessary panic. This places an additional burden on professionals to correct misinformation and redirect resources. Maintaining a “human-in-the-loop” is essential for all AI deployments, ensuring that expert oversight validates outputs and mitigates potential errors. Furthermore, improving model training to recognize complex atmospheric dynamics, such as interactions with continental systems that can alter hurricane paths, is essential to enhancing forecasting accuracy. Weather forecasting is uniquely suited for early AI adoption because it generates massive amounts of data and benefits from high-quality datasets provided by organizations like the National Weather Service and NASA, ensuring models are trained on reliable information.

Sustainability is another critical consideration. Data centers and AI facilities consume significant amounts of energy and water, often in regions susceptible to drought or extreme heat. Expanding such operations across multiple sites could strain local resources. A lack of water for cooling systems, coupled with increasing heat waves, poses risks to operations and the energy grid, potentially leading to rolling blackouts.

Infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather is crucial. Facilities like the Salesforce Tower in California exemplify climate-resilient design by incorporating renewable energy, black water recycling and the ability to export energy to the city during optimal periods. More facilities of this kind are needed—those that not only minimize environmental impact but also contribute positively to surrounding communities. Strategic planning for site locations and designs, informed by accurate climate data, will be essential for ensuring sustainability and resilience.

How Government Agencies are Preparing for the Future

As Government agencies embrace an AI-driven future, they are modernizing infrastructure, curating large datasets and upskilling their workforce to harness AI’s potential. These efforts go beyond technological enhancements, focusing on using AI to address critical challenges such as refining weather predictions and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather. By integrating AI into disaster preparedness and emergency management, agencies are building a more resilient framework that protects lives, safeguards jobs and fosters innovative solutions for future challenges.

How Carahsoft Can Help

Carahsoft works with a robust and growing ecosystem of thousands of IT solutions providers, including Google, NVIDIA and Microsoft, who have developed AI weather models that are predicting hurricane landfall faster and more accurately than traditional Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. Carahsoft removes barriers around the AI adoption process by providing the infrastructure, data management and cybersecurity solutions required to safely and securely deploy innovative technology in your agency. As Government agencies continue to navigate the complexities of the modern landscape, Carahsoft’s AI partners stand ready to empower them with the tools and technologies needed to thrive in an era of unprecedented change.

Discover solutions tailored to your needs in Carahsoft’s Artificial Intelligence Solutions Portfolio and gain valuable insights with the AI Buyer’s Guide for Government.

Vice President for StateRAMP Solutions, Carahsoft: StateRAMP: Recognizing the Importance of Framework Harmonization

Posted on by John Lee and Drew Scherer

StateRAMP builds on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-53 standard, which underpins FedRAMP’s approach to cloud security for Federal agencies by offering a consistent framework for security assessment, authorization and continuous monitoring. Recognizing the need for a similar framework at the State and Local levels, StateRAMP has been developed to tailor these Federal standards to the unique needs of State and Local Governments.

Key to StateRAMP’s initiative is the focus on framework harmonization, which aligns State and Local regulations with broader Federal and industry standards. This harmonization includes efforts like FedRAMP/TX-RAMP reciprocity and the CJIS task force, making compliance more streamlined. By mapping more compliance frameworks to one another, StateRAMP helps Government agencies and industry players leverage existing work, avoid redundancy and facilitate smoother procurement of secure technologies. Carahsoft supports this mission by partnering with StateRAMP Authorized vendors and engaging in initiatives that promote these harmonization efforts, such as the StateRAMP Cyber Summit and Federal News Networks’ StateRAMP Exchange.

Developing Framework Harmonization

CSPs often operate across multiple sectors and industries, each regulated by distinct frameworks such as FedRAMP CJIS, IRS Publication 1075, PCI DSS, FISMA, and HIPPA. Managing compliance across multiple frameworks can lead to redundant processes, inefficiencies and complexity. These challenges have emphasized the need for framework harmonization—aligning various cybersecurity frameworks to create a more cohesive and streamlined process.

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With the FedRAMP transition to the NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 requirements in 2023, StateRAMP began working towards harmonization with FedRAMP across all impact levels. Through the StateRAMP Fast Track Program, CSPs pursuing FedRAMP authorization can leverage the same compliance documentation, including Plans of Actions and Milestones (POA&M), System Security Plans (SSP), security controls matrix and Third Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) audits, to achieve StateRAMP authorization.

Reciprocity between StateRAMP and TX-RAMP has been established to streamline cybersecurity compliance for CSPs working with Texas state agencies, higher education institutions and public community colleges. CSPs that achieve a StateRAMP Ready or Authorized status are eligible to attain TX-RAMP certification at the same impact level through an established process. Additionally, StateRAMP’s Progressing Security Snapshot Program offers a pathway to provisional TX-RAMP certification, enabling CSPs to engage with Texas agencies while working towards StateRAMP compliance. Once CSPs have enrolled in the Snapshot Program or have engaged with a 3PAO to conduct an audit, they are added to the Progressing Product List, a public directory of products and their cybersecurity maturity status. This reciprocity eases the burden of navigating multiple compliance frameworks and certifications.

Harmonized frameworks enable CSPs to align with the cybersecurity objectives of various organizations while simultaneously addressing a broader range of threats and vulnerabilities, improving overall security. StateRAMP’s focus is to align requirements across the Federal, State, Local and Educational sectors to reduce the cost of development and deployment through a unified set of standards. To ensure the Public and Private Sectors work in alignment, StateRAMP members have access to the same guidance, tools and resources necessary for implementing a harmonized framework. This initiative will streamline the compliance process through a unified approach to cybersecurity that ensures adherence to industry and regulatory requirements.

The Future of StateRAMP

StateRAMP has rolled out an overlay to its Moderate Impact Level baseline that maps to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy. This overlay is designed to strengthen cloud security in the law enforcement sector, helping assess a product’s potential for CJIS compliance in safeguarding critical information.

At the 2024 StateRAMP Cyber Summit, Deputy Information Security Officer Jeffrey Campbell from the FBI CJIS addressed the challenges state and local entities face when adopting cloud technologies. He explained that while state constituents frequently asked if they could use FedRAMP for cloud initiatives, the answer was often complicated because FedRAMP alone does not fully meet CJIS requirements. “You can use vendors vetted through FedRAMP, that is going to get you maybe 80% of these requirements. There’s still 20% you’re going to have to do on your own” Campbell noted. He emphasized that, through framework harmonization, StateRAMP can bridge this compliance gap, offering states a viable solution to achieve several parallel security standards.

Another initiative is the NASPO/StateRAMP Task Force, which was formed to unite procurement officials, cybersecurity experts, Government officials and industry experts together with IT professionals. The task force aims to produce tools and resources for procurement officials nationwide to make the StateRAMP adoption process more streamlined and consistent.

Though still relatively new, StateRAMP is gaining traction, with 28 participating states as of October 2024. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, cybersecurity compliance has become a larger point of emphasis at every level of Government to protect sensitive data. StateRAMP is working to bring all stakeholders together to drive toward a common understanding and acceptance of a standardized security standard. StateRAMP’s proactive steps to embrace framework harmonization are helping CSPs and State and Local Governments move towards a more secure digital future.

To learn more about the advantages the StateRAMP program offers State Governments and technology suppliers watch the Federal News Network’s StateRAMP Exchange, presented by Carahsoft.

To learn more about framework harmonization and gain valuable insights into others, such as cloud security, risk management and procurement best practices, watch the StateRAMP Cyber Summit, presented by Carahsoft.

Cyberattack Trends Impacting Local Government and Education Sectors

Posted on by Jeffrey Wheat

Today’s cybercriminals are no longer driven solely by financial gain, the geopolitical impact of attacks has shifted with nation-state actors now targeting critical infrastructure. While Local Governments have long been a part of this, schools have also become key targets, especially after COVID-19. The pandemic’s disruption to education has left a lasting impact, making attacks on schools and Local Governments both physically and psychologically significant. These institutions, essential to society, are under siege not just for their sensitive data but for their societal importance. With advanced capabilities and financial backing, nation-state actors are accelerating their efforts, heightening the urgency for robust cybersecurity.

Why Threat Actors Target Local Government and Education

Local Governments are frequent cyberattack targets due to their political significance and the essential services they provide. When one city is attacked, neighboring cities often become hyper-vigilant, particularly smaller municipalities managing critical services like water supply. These vital functions make them high-value targets. While financial institutions are seen as obvious targets for their direct connection to money, Government agencies hold more financial value than many realize. The stakes are even higher when political positions are involved, making Local Governments attractive to financially motivated attackers and nation-state actors seeking leverage.

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Education has also become increasingly vulnerable. Schools were initially targeted for geopolitical reasons, with attackers seeking to influence the “hearts and minds” of society by disrupting education. However, cybercriminals discovered the financial value of student records, which are worth more on the dark web than credit card or healthcare information due to students not checking their credit scores. This extended window for identity theft, combined with the vast amount of data schools hold, makes educational institutions prime targets for cybercriminals.

Both Local Governments and schools face shared challenges in defending their systems. For Governments, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks that manage infrastructure are often isolated but still present large attack surfaces due to their distributed nature. Schools, on the other hand, struggle with the complexity of students bringing their own devices, which introduces uncontrolled entry points into the network. These vulnerabilities make Local Government and education uniquely attractive and susceptible targets in the cyber landscape.

Two Main Attack Vectors: Phishing and Infostealers

Cybercriminals use various tactics to infiltrate Local Governments and schools, exploiting both technological weaknesses and human behavior. People are often the weakest link, making them prime targets for attackers. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has further advanced these attacks, making them more difficult to detect. While agencies and schools cannot fully eliminate the risk through training alone, understanding these evolving threats can significantly reduce the chances of successful attacks.

Phishing and information stealing are two of the most prevalent methods used by cybercriminals. Research from Lumu Technologies shows that phishing accounts for 52% of attacks, while information stealing makes up 48%, illustrating their near-equal presence as cyber threats.

Phishing

Phishing is often used to gain initial access into a network, accounting for approximately 90% of attacks. By tricking users into clicking malicious links or downloading malware, attackers establish a presence in the system. The preliminary malware allows them to move laterally, escalate privileges and locate sensitive data. Attackers either sell the data or use it to launch ransomware attacks. In ransomware scenarios, the attacker takes control of the network, encrypts critical data and issues a ransom demand. Phishing is thus the starting point for a larger chain of events leading to data theft and/or financial extortion.

Information Stealing

Infostealers are designed to capture sensitive information, often to sell on the dark web or to facilitate ransomware attacks. Like intelligence operations, they collect data to spread through an environment or identify new attack points. Keyloggers record keystrokes to capture usernames and passwords for unauthorized access. Other methods include form grabbers, which intercept forms and alter them, and browser hijackers, which mimic legitimate sites to bypass multi-factor authentication. Sensitive data from Local Government and education sectors is highly valuable, with threat actors intensifying efforts to exploit it for profit.

In addition to phishing and infostealers, cybercriminals continually find new ways to exploit technology and human behavior, such as man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, credential stuffing and supply chain attacks. These often-overlooked attack vectors can cause significant damage to agencies and schools. Recognizing these methods is crucial for developing comprehensive defenses.

Why These Attack Methods are Successful

These attack methods succeed against Local Governments and schools due to the constantly evolving nature of cyber warfare. Like traditional warfare, attackers adapt, finding new ways in after one vulnerability is closed. Defenders must be equally dynamic.

Even with security measures like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), attackers find ways to bypass them. EDR relies on behavior analysis, which takes time, while attackers use advanced AI to quickly develop new methods. Local Governments and schools are often slower to adapt, giving attackers an advantage. The challenge is not just implementing security measures but continuously evolving defenses to keep up with new threats.

AI Versus AI

In the battle against evolving cyberattacks, Local Governments and schools must leverage advanced technologies like AI and automation. As attackers adopt AI to improve the sophistication and speed of attacks, defenders need equally powerful tools. Cybercriminals use AI to bypass traditional defenses, identifying weaknesses faster than humans can.

To keep up, Local Government and education sectors must deploy AI-driven systems to detect threats in real time. AI helps identify vulnerabilities, enabling proactive defense, while automation blocks threats at machine speed. For smaller institutions with limited resources, automation is especially crucial to defend against attacks effectively.

In a landscape where cyber threats continually evolve, matching the speed and sophistication of attackers is crucial for a strong cyber defense. Government agencies and educational institutions must stay vigilant, leveraging AI and automation to outpace attackers and protect the critical infrastructure and data that comprise the foundation of society.

Discover the latest trends in cyberattacks and learn how AI and automation are reshaping the fight against modern cybercriminals in Lumu Technologies’ webinar, “Emerging Cyber Attack Trends Targeting Local Government & Education.”

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 Lumu Technologies, 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.

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

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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.