Ep. 319 Data Control Is Redefining Federal Security Strategy Now

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Angel Smith, President of Global Public Sector at Virtru, discussed the challenges of data interoperability in federal agencies, emphasizing that trust and policy issues often hinder data sharing more than technology.

It took several years, but the federal government has realized that its defenses are not perfect and has had to adopt a zero-trust approach to limit access to important information.

Zero Trust is Missing the Point

During the interview, Angel Smith argues that Zero Trust seems to focus on the network and identity, rather than on data. While intended to secure infrastructure, these changes can create new attack vectors.

Data Sovereignty is broken.

Traditionally, a data set would reside in a hard drive in a server room down the hall. Because of this, thinking about security can be focused on the physical location of the data or its sovereignty.

Sometimes, a strategic approach is necessary to protect data.

This is an outdated approach because data can be protected by the data object itself, which can carry control.

Security vs. Speed is a False Tradeoff.

This legacy thinking also applies to security. Some will exist to control data because it has been viewed as too time-consuming.

Smith also stressed the need for modern data governance to enable AI and other advanced technologies, advocating for a rethinking of legacy practices to enhance data security and usability without compromising mission speed.