Ep 318 Securing Millions of Federal Endpoints in the AI Era

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There is a popular podcast in the Washington, D.C. area called "Feds at the Edge." The title alone acknowledges the importance of edge devices for the sprawling federal government.

Today, we sat down with Tommy Gardner from HP to discuss the challenges of securing millions of endpoints in the federal government, including legacy systems and operational technology (OT).

When it comes to OT, Gardner makes a shocking observation: if you take an endpoint, like a sensor in a boiler, and it gets compromised, it could shut down the refinery, and people could get hurt. That is why HP has developed a system called the Workforce Experience Platform (WXP), which manages diverse devices and applies updates remotely.

One little-known fact Gardner brings up is that, when malicious actors assess vulnerabilities, the easiest way to get into a network is through the printer. In fact, HP now offers printers with defenses against post-quantum encryption.

Given that a company like HP has thousands of products, the supply chain is a major consideration. During the interview, Gardner mentions that HP has over 10,000 vendors in its supply chain. He addresses the complexities of supply chain security, emphasizing the need for rigorous vendor verification and compliance with the Trade Act.

He concludes by advocating for AI at the edge for real-time decision-making and cost efficiency.