Two Important Factors for Bolstering Cybersecurity in Federal Agencies

Summary: This blog post provides valuable insights into innovative strategies for bolstering cybersecurity, particularly tailored for federal government agencies focused on Defense and Homeland Security. The findings come from an in-depth interview with Kartik Hirpara , Director of IT Services at vTech Solution. By reading this blog, cybersecurity professionals, federal officers, and government officials will learn about effective strategies they can implement when considering how to enhance their cybersecurity posture. Additionally, Kartik sheds light on how vTech Solution can address these challenges with proactive measures, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Zero Trust Architecture.

Who Should Read This Article:?

- Cybersecurity professionals seeking innovative strategies to bolster federal cybersecurity defenses.? ?

- Federal officials focused on Defense, Homeland Security, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.? ?

- Government agencies and organizations looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture.? ?

- Technology leaders and decision-makers interested in leveraging advanced technologies such as AI and Zero Trust Architecture to strengthen digital defenses.?

Introduction

In the realm of cybersecurity, the federal government faces unparalleled challenges, particularly with the growing sophistication of cyber threats and the imperative to safeguard critical infrastructure. President Biden's recent Executive Order underscores the urgency for federal agencies to prioritize cybersecurity measures.?

In this article, we sat down with Kartik Hirpara , Director of IT Services at vTech Solution, to explore the innovative strategies tailored for federal cybersecurity.?

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vTech Solution: Could you just open the conversation by letting audiences know who you are??

Kartik Hirpara: Hi, thanks for having me. My name is Kartik Hirpara. I'm a director of IT services here at vTech and my role involves working with our customers and our internal teams to help them secure the digital infrastructure, cloud adoption, and cybersecurity.?

vTech Solution: How are vTech Solution's strategies best geared for federal agencies, sled organizations, commercial organizations??

Kartik Hirpara: For government agencies, whether Federal or SLED, there are still a lot of legacy applications and infrastructure that need modernization. This must be done with careful planning due to interdependencies and complexity in designs.?

Our strategies are designed and tailored using automated assessments at all layers of the system. These assessments provide full-blown visibility into the current posture of the system. Using these insights, vTech helps agencies tailor security solutions to align with the entire application lifecycle.?

As I always emphasize, "You can't protect what you don't know." So, giving transparent analysis and continuous visibility of the current security posture and risks is how we begin helping customers protect their applications and infrastructure.

vTech Solution: What proactive measures does vTech Solution have or take to anticipate and mitigate emerging cyber threats for its clients??

Kartik Hirpara: The proactive measures vTech Solution has for our clients to anticipate and mitigate emerging threats are to focus on design and architecture setup in a sense that uses as much prevention as possible backed by industry-leading technologies.?

Having constant visibility and zero-day threat detection is a must. Our solutions include micro-segmenting traffic at the network and application layers to apply and align policies that help mature zero-trust architecture.?

However, we ensure that we prepare our customers for unknowns and implement solid strategies for data backup and recovery by conducting live exercises.?

vTech Solution: Can you discuss any strategic partnerships that vTech Solution has formed to strengthen its ability to secure enterprise or federal agencies digital infrastructure??

Kartik Hirpara: We've formed strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Microsoft and Checkpoint, leveraging their technologies to enhance our security offerings and provide comprehensive solutions to our customers.?

vTech Solution: How does vTech Solution stay current with the evolving threat landscape, and how does the company continuously adapt to these cybersecurity strategies to address these emerging challenges??

Kartik Hirpara: We integrate threat intelligence sources into our operational systems, collaborate across teams, and automate security workflows to quickly respond to evolving threats. Our focus is on consolidating visibility, shaping policies based on assessment data, and applying preventive measures at every layer of the infrastructure.?

?vTech Solution: What are the anticipated future trends and challenges for cybersecurity in federal or enterprise agencies, and what should companies be doing to address these future trends and challenges??

Kartik Hirpara: Future challenges include increasing complexity, automated attacks driven by AI, and the need for rapid response capabilities. Companies should focus on consolidating visibility, shaping policies based on threat intelligence, and incorporating AI into their security stack to mitigate these challenges effectively.?

?vTech Solution: From your perspective, what gain does a customer get by working with vTech Solution that they may not gain anywhere else??

Kartik Hirpara: Our unique value proposition lies in fostering a collaborative environment across different teams, integrating security into the DevOps lifecycle, and providing access to industry-leading threat intelligence databases. We focus on preventive measures and rapid response capabilities to protect our customers' digital assets effectively.?

vTech Solution: When it comes to securing digital infrastructure, what approach does vTech Solution take??

Kartik Hirpara: At vTech, we believe in a collaborative approach. You see, cybersecurity isn't just about installing firewalls and antivirus software; it's about understanding the entire infrastructure landscape. It starts with bringing visibility into the picture because, as I always say, "You can't protect what you don't know." Our aim, and the aim of any good provider, is to equip our clients with a comprehensive view of their digital ecosystem - from the internet all the way to the users. In short, it's about strategizing risk assessments that are tailored to meet both security and compliance requirements.?

“At vTech, we believe in a collaborative approach.”?

vTech Solution: That makes sense. But federal agencies have unique cybersecurity requirements. How does vTech tailor its strategies for such diverse needs??

Kartik Hirpara:? Absolutely, Federal Agencies operate in a different league altogether. Maintaining ATOs for complex systems includes Compliance, Security, and Incident response, to name a few priorities. This can become a time-consuming and complex process. At the end of the day, the service provider needs to consider how to take as much burden away from the agency yet work closely with them on providing overall strategic alignment. That’s what we do. At vTech, we understand this, and that's why we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We work closely with our clients, understanding their specific needs and challenges. It's about building trust and forging partnerships. We've teamed up with industry technology leaders to deliver integrated solutions customized for the federal landscape.?

vTech Solution: Let's talk about innovation. How does vTech incorporate cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) into its cybersecurity strategies??

Kartik Hirpara: Ah, innovation is at the heart of what we do at vTech. As cyber threats evolve, so must our defenses. That's where AI comes in. We leverage AI-powered technologies to detect and respond to threats rapidly. It's about consolidating workflows and integrating threat intelligence. But it's not just about technology; it's about mindset. It's about being agile and adaptable, always staying one step ahead of the hackers.?

??vTech Solution: Zero trust architecture is a term we hear a lot these days. Can you shed some light on what it means and how vTech incorporates it into its strategies??

Kartik Hirpara: Zero trust architecture is more than just a buzzword; it's a mindset. It's about not trusting anything or anyone by default, whether inside or outside the network. At vTech, we believe in extending defense capabilities across every layer of the infrastructure. It's about continuous verification and validation. It's about being paranoid in a good way, always questioning and never assuming.?

vTech Solution: Despite all the preventive measures, cyber incidents can still happen. How does vTech handle incident response??

Kartik Hirpara: Indeed. Cyber incidents are a harsh reality in today's world. That's why it's crucial to have a robust incident response plan in place. At vTech, we follow industry standards like the NIST Cybersecurity Risk Management Framework. It's about swift and effective responses, minimizing damage and disruption. We track entry points, conduct thorough investigations, and preserve evidence. It's about learning from every incident and getting better each time.?

vTech Solution: Kartik, could you elaborate on what phrases in the world of securing digital infrastructure you think people are not using correctly? How should people be using them, and what should they be thinking about if they're not using them in the right way??

Kartik Hirpara: Going back to Zero trust architecture, it is often misunderstood as merely a tool rather than a continuous process. It involves maturing capabilities across devices, solutions, and processes to extend defense in depth. For instance, in supply chain risk management, zero trust should be applied thoroughly. People should focus on incorporating zero trust into every layer of the infrastructure and extending defense capabilities across network, application, and host layers.?

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vTech Solution: Is vTech Solution equipped to provide services around your definition of zero-trust architecture??

Kartik Hirpara: Yes, vTech Solution helps customers incorporate zero trust into each layer of the infrastructure, creating virtual boundaries of defense to allow only trusted processes, people, or communications. We continuously adapt and enhance our capabilities throughout the development, testing, and production phases, leveraging emerging technologies like AI.?

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vTech Solution: How can vTech Solution help federal agencies secure their digital infrastructure??

Kartik Hirpara: We help agencies assess their environment, apply controls for data protection and encryption, and migrate and secure workloads in the cloud. Our solution portfolio offers visibility and insights into the infrastructure, allowing for tailored security measures aligned with modernization efforts.?

vTech Solution: Thank you, Kartik, for sharing valuable insights into vTech Solution's approach to cybersecurity.?

Kartik Hirpara: Thank you for having me, Hunter. It's been a pleasure discussing our strategies and solutions for securing digital infrastructure.?

Conclusion? ? ?

As federal agencies embark on the journey of fortifying their cybersecurity defenses, partnering with vTech Solution provides a reliable ally in navigating these challenges. With a collaborative approach, integration of cutting-edge technologies, and a focus on preventive measures, vTech Solution stands ready to support federal agencies in their cybersecurity objectives.?

In the face of evolving cyber threats, the importance of securing digital infrastructure cannot be overstated. With vTech Solution as your trusted partner, you can be confident in your organization's ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity.?

For federal agencies seeking to enhance their cybersecurity posture, vTech Solution offers access to cutting-edge strategies and innovative solutions tailored to your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive cybersecurity offerings and how we can support your organization's cybersecurity objectives.?

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