Take-aways
While the speakers are always enlightening, the most interesting things I heard came from conversations I had outside the main hall. There were 5 clear takeaways from those conversations.
1. The risk endures
Cybersecurity is still top of mind in the government space and the volume and complexity of ransomware attacks seems only to be increasing over time. There’s prime examples just south of the border in South Carolina. In April a ransomware attack on Spartanburg County offices left its system down for weeks, and the extent is still unclear. For me there were echos of a similar 2012 attack when 3.6 million Social Security numbers were exposed through a successful ransomware attack on the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Despite advancements, governments need to be even more aggressive on defense.
2. Communities are at stake
Talking with professionals, I heard time again that while we talk about protecting networks and databases - what we are really talking about is protecting people. Citizens trust their governments with an incredible volume of sensitive data, and IT professionals take that responsibility very seriously. That realization made us even prouder to provide them support through our enterprise browser.
3. Remote work and contractors
It’s no secret that the labor market is tight and that remote work is more popular then ever. To remain competitive many local governments are offering flexible work options, or relying on contractors to meet the needs. In both cases – remote work has meant the expanded use of frustrating VDI systems that introduce new vulnerabilities into the security stack. IT professionals are thrilled when they learn that the Enterprise Browser can reduce or eliminate the need for VDI entirely.
4. AI is an area of both opportunity and concern
As AI solutions like ChatGPT and Bard are increasingly integrated into the workplace, there is uncertainty about how they will be managed. Schools in particular are struggling with balancing the benefits of the solutions while protecting their students appropriately. Built with AI in mind, the Enterprise Browser is the first browser that has ChatGPT into it. This will give you flexibility and control regarding how you’d like your users to interact with it. That way you have governance while allowing your users to work more efficiently and simplify their lives.
5. Local governments don't have to do it alone
We were surrounded by so many amazing cybersecurity partners at the symposium. It made one thing crystal clear: IT professionals do not have to do it all alone. At IPT we are proud to work with local governments and school districts to unleash the power of the Enterprise Browser. And with partners like StepCG, you can complete the picture.
Experience the power of the Enterprise Browser
If you’re ready to experience the full power of the Enterprise Browser in your own environment. Reach out today!
