b'I Industry Perspective Bryant Stewart | AVP, Business Development, AT&T Public SectorOwen Rodgers | AVP, Engineering and Architecture for Federal at AT&T Public SectorWhat do you see as the three key critical efforts needed to advancecybersecurity capabilities moving forward? Owen Rodgers: The number one priority that needs to be considered when making technology decisions is having a plan thats universally adaptable to the architecture end goal. An agency needs to understand what their Zero Trust architecture will look like based on their environment today, including existing investments, the location of critical data, the damage that would occur from critical data loss, and spending priorities. Next is visibility and the ability to detect threats. As Rob Leahy mentioned, you cant protect what you dont know exists. This has been a significant challenge for the federal government, going back more than a decade. [The Federal government] needs to adopt the technologies and develop strategies to gain visibility into its network and the endpoints. The third critical effort would be to implement a robust endpoint detection and response program. Being able to investigate whats occurring at an endpoint, identify anomalous behaviors, and then remediate the situation is critical.Bryant Stewart: The Federal government needs a method to rapidly procure, fund and deliver the recommendations that Owen discussed.I think the Technology Modernization Fund creates a foundation for quick planning and adoption of technologies that will help agencies move towards a sounder cybersecurity posture. Were already seeing examples through the TMF projects that were awarded funding. Adopting rapid and agile procurement methods that, where possible, leverage best in class government wide acquisition contract (GWAC) vehicles, as well as creative deployment methods to bring that funding into action and ultimately bolster security defenses are critical to advance Federal cybersecurity capabilities. With the overwhelming number of sizable cyber intrusions and incidents over the past year, what have been some of the major takeaways you have gleaned and how have they informed your cybersecurity strategies for the future? Bryant Stewart: I agree that theres a clear and real talent gap. Sean Connelly, CISA, described it as critical. To keep pace with the sophistication and volume of these attacks, both government and industry need to ensure the workforce is available and ready with the right skills.There are several solutions including upskilling your current personnel. We also see an incredible opportunity for industry and government agencies to share relevant, timely, and accurate information about cyberattacks and threats. We created the Open Threat Exchange to do just that. Its a community of over 180,000 cybersecurity professionals who contribute 4.26 million threat artifacts per day. We all recognize that the challenges are going to continue to grow but working together becomes the force multiplier.Government Business Council Securing the Nations Network | Page 10'