Securing the IC: Major Cybersecurity Takeaways from DoDIIS 2024

Last week at the 2024 DoDIIS conference in Omaha, along with RedSeal experts Jeff Spugnardi and Steve Terrell, we engaged in critical discussions about the latest advancements and challenges in cybersecurity. Zero Trust continues to dominate conversations across the Intelligence Community (IC), solidifying its role as more than a buzzword—no longer an exploration, Zero Trust is a fundamental shift in cyber defense strategies for federal agencies.

The push for Zero Trust in the federal government officially began in 2021 when an executive order directed agencies to enhance their cybersecurity posture by adopting a Zero Trust architecture. This order marked a significant shift, emphasizing stringent access controls, identity verification, and data protection to defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Following this, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) outlined a Federal Zero Trust Strategy in early 2022, establishing a five-pillar framework: Identity, Devices, Networks, Applications and Workloads, and Data. These pillars provide a comprehensive structure for agencies to implement Zero Trust principles across their networks and secure sensitive data effectively.

One key takeaway from the conference was the emphasis on moving from network-centric to data-centric defenses. As Major General John Phillips from EUCOM discussed, defending data requires a mindset that goes beyond traditional perimeter-based security. This change is particularly relevant in the era of cloud adoption and remote work, where information assets are dispersed across a wider digital landscape. The shift to a data-centric Zero Trust model aligns with the IC’s goal to ensure that sensitive data remains protected, even within highly controlled environments like the JWICS network used by the Department of Defense. RedSeal can proactively protect networks that are disconnected. There are no agents or bots on your networks.

It also aligns with RedSeal’s focus on helping organizations to visualize, monitor, and analyze complex network infrastructures, gaining a comprehensive view of potential vulnerabilities across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments. The first step in security is knowing what you have, RedSeal’s comprehensive model ensures that security teams have a clear understanding of how data flows within and across these environments.

As Major General John Phillips noted, data protection goes beyond traditional perimeter defenses. RedSeal’s continuous network assessment and risk prioritization tools help identify and secure sensitive data at every point in its lifecycle. By mapping the network’s entire digital terrain, RedSeal allows agencies to enforce access policies and detect areas of potential compromise before they’re exploited.

This proactive approach directly supports the IC’s goal to protect sensitive data in dispersed and high-risk environments, such as JWICS and other airgap networks. In short, RedSeal empowers cybersecurity teams to operationalize Zero Trust principles effectively, moving from a reactive to a resilient security stance in line with today’s complex digital landscapes.

Speakers at the conference, including NSA’s Jennifer Kron, highlighted that Zero Trust is a journey, not a one-time deployment. As agencies operationalize cyber defenses, they’re also striving to create a maturity model to assess progress across Zero Trust pillars, from identity management to data protection. Leaders underscored the importance of training cyber defenders to adapt to this paradigm, equipping them with skills to safeguard information, not just networks.

RedSeal’s solutions play a pivotal role in supporting these Zero Trust efforts, as our platform provides continuous visibility into complex network environments and helps agencies assess the maturity of their Zero Trust architecture. Recently recognized with a Breakthrough Award for our innovation in cybersecurity, RedSeal is committed to empowering organizations to secure their critical assets, map their attack surface, and identify vulnerabilities before adversaries do. For those looking to bolster their Zero Trust strategies, RedSeal offers the tools and expertise needed to stay ahead in today’s evolving threat landscape.

Contact us to learn how we can support your organization’s Zero Trust journey.