|
RedLeif’s PubSec Newsletter
Introduction
Welcome to this edition of Ever to Conquer, where we spotlight the transformative initiatives reshaping America’s public sector technology landscape. As we progress through September 2025, federal and SLED agencies are grappling with AI deregulation, escalating cyber threats, and procurement reforms that promise to redefine efficiency and security - from the House’s AI defense bill vote to St. Paul’s $1M cyber boost, these developments across higher education, state/local government, and federal sectors provide actionable insights for technology, cybersecurity, data, procurement, legal, finance, and budget strategies.
This edition highlights:
- AI & Government Innovation: House AI defense amendments and GenAI trends accelerate federal adoption.
- Cybersecurity: St. Paul cyber attack response and CMMC rule boost defenses.
- Procurement & Partnerships: AWS Champions Awards and network-powered procurement drive efficiencies.
- Data Privacy & Protection: Rising breach costs and state privacy enforcement demand vigilance.
- Government IT Modernization: FedScoop 2025 winners and DMV modernization showcase innovation.
AI and Government Innovation
House Set to Vote on AI Amendments to Defense Bill
The House Commerce Committee advanced AI amendments to the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, proposing $1.5 billion for AI research and requiring DoD to report on AI ethical risks.
- Why It Matters: These amendments could allocate billions for public sector AI, influencing federal R&D and ethical guidelines amid national security priorities.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Monitor NDAA for AI funding opportunities, prioritizing ethical compliance in DoD procurements.
- For Sellers: Align AI proposals with NDAA priorities to secure defense contracts.
- Source: Inside AI Policy, Sep 2025
GenAI Trends Closing Public Sector Readiness Gap
Presidio’s report highlights GenAI’s role in overcoming legacy systems, with agencies adopting human-AI methodologies for mission-specific solutions.
- Why It Matters: As 70% of agencies lag in AI readiness, these trends enable scalable innovation in education and safety, addressing budget constraints.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Pilot GenAI accelerators like Captivate for student services, focusing on ethical frameworks.
- For Sellers: Offer customized GenAI bundles with bias mitigation for SLED markets.
- Source: Presidio Blog, Sep 2025
AI Gets College Students in Trouble - But It’s the Future
A GovTech story explores conflicting messages around AI in higher education, with 60% of students using it for internships but facing plagiarism risks.
- Why It Matters: AI’s dual role in education—tool and threat—impacts higher ed policies, requiring balanced approaches to foster innovation without academic integrity breaches.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Update AI policies in universities to include ethical training and detection tools.
- For Sellers: Develop AI plagiarism detectors and ethical training for higher ed.
- Source: GovTech, Sep 2025
🎙️ Check Out This Episode of the Ever To Conquer Podcast 🎙️
|
|
|
|
Cybersecurity
St. Paul Proposes $1M Cyber Boost After Ransomware Attack
St. Paul, Minn., proposed a $1 million cyber budget increase following a ransomware attack that disrupted services.
- Why It Matters: The attack highlights local government vulnerabilities, influencing finance and budget decisions for SLED cyber investments.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Allocate emergency funds for ransomware recovery and prevention tools.
- For Sellers: Offer scalable cyber insurance and response services for municipalities.
- Source: GovTech, Sep 2025
Final CMMC Rule Boosts U.S. Security and Efficiency
ITI praised the DoD’s final CMMC rule for enhancing supply chain security, with phased rollout impacting 220,000 contractors.
- Why It Matters: CMMC standardizes cybersecurity, reducing legal risks and procurement delays for defense-related public sector work.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Require CMMC Level 1 in RFPs to ensure contractor compliance.
- For Sellers: Accelerate CMMC certification to compete in DoD markets.
- Source: ITIC News Releases, Sep 2025
The Cybersecurity Battleground: September 2025’s Critical Threats
Breached Company’s report detailed nation-state attacks on critical infrastructure, with 50% increase in public sector targets.
- Why It Matters: Escalating threats demand updated cybersecurity budgets and legal frameworks for resilience.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Update incident response plans for nation-state threats.
- For Sellers: Develop threat intelligence tools for public sector infrastructure.
- Source: Breached Company, Sep 2025
Schools Face Uncertainty as Cybersecurity Law Nears Sunset
GovTech’s story on the expiring cybersecurity info-sharing law, amid 23% ransomware rise in education, sparked higher ed policy debates.
- Why It Matters: The sunset risks weakening K-12 defenses, impacting higher ed budgets and data security.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Advocate for renewal and invest in local ransomware tools.
- For Sellers: Tailor cybersecurity for educational institutions with easy integration.
- Source: GovTech, Sep 2025
Procurement and Partnerships
GovTech 100: 2025 Winners Spotlight Innovation
GovTech announced the 2025 GovTech 100 winners, featuring 100 companies transforming state and local tech.
- Why It Matters: The list guides procurement decisions, highlighting solutions for budget-constrained SLED agencies.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Review winners for RFPs in AI and cybersecurity.
- For Sellers: Aim for GovTech 100 inclusion to boost SLED visibility.
- Source: GovTech 100, Sep 2025
AWS Champions Awards Honor Public Sector Innovators
The CDG/CDE AWS Champions Awards recognized public sector leaders for cloud innovation, with winners like St. Louis County.
- Why It Matters: Awards showcase procurement success stories, influencing finance and partnership strategies.
- Source: GovTech, Sep 2025
Data Privacy & Protection
Cost of Public Sector Data Breaches Hits $2.86M Average
IBM’s 2025 report, highlighted in Eversheds-Sutherland’s roundup, showed public sector breaches averaging $2.86M, with 40% increase due to AI-enabled attacks.
- Why It Matters: Rising costs strain budgets and highlight legal risks in data handling.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Invest in AI breach prevention to mitigate financial impacts.
- For Sellers: Highlight ROI in data protection tools for public clients.
- Source: Eversheds-Sutherland Insights, Sep 2025
California Enforces Data Broker Registration Fines
CPPA fined data brokers $2M for non-registration, emphasizing compliance for data handlers.
- Why It Matters: Enforcement strengthens state data laws, impacting SLED vendors and compliance budgets.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Verify vendor registration in data procurements.
- For Sellers: Automate compliance tracking to avoid fines.
- Source: CPPA Announcements, Sep 2025
Government of Canada Data Breach Review Lessons Learned
Canada’s breach review detailed enhanced measures, influencing U.S. federal data strategies.
- Why It Matters: Lessons inform legal and policy responses to breaches in public sector.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Update incident response with review recommendations.
- For Sellers: Develop tools supporting breach review protocols.
- Source: UK Parliament Committee News, Sep 2025
Government IT Modernization
State of GovTech 2025 Innovation Launchpad Winners
GovTech announced Magic Notes, Chief AI, and Madison AI as Innovation Launchpad winners, showcasing AI for student services and government efficiency.
- Why It Matters: Winners drive IT modernization in education and local government, influencing budgets for innovation.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Pilot winners’ tools for service modernization.
- For Sellers: Apply for Launchpad to gain SLED exposure.
- Source: GovTech, Sep 2025
Modernized DMVs Offer Improved Experiences
GovTech’s story on DMV modernization highlighted digital services in 20 states, reducing wait times by 40% and saving $100M in operational costs.
- Why It Matters: Digital DMVs enhance citizen services and state budgets through IT upgrades.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Implement digital DMV platforms for efficiency.
- For Sellers: Offer modernization solutions for state agencies.
- Source: GovTech, Sep 2025
Kansas SOS Completes Technology Modernization
Kansas Secretary of State completed IT modernization, enhancing election and business services for 1M users.
- Why It Matters: Modernization improves state services, setting SLED models for IT upgrades.
- Actionable Insights:
- For Buyers: Adopt similar upgrades for election systems.
- For Sellers: Provide IT modernization for state offices.
- Source: Kansas SOS News, Sep 2025
Closing
The public sector technology landscape is advancing at breakneck speed, driven by AI, cybersecurity, and modernization breakthroughs. From California’s AI transparency law to St. Paul’s cyber boost, public-private partnerships are delivering transformative results.
As we tackle rising breach costs, procurement trends, and digital equity challenges, collaboration is the key to success. The stories in this edition highlight urgent issues and innovative solutions for federal and SLED leaders.
Your Voice Matters: Ever to Conquer thrives on your insights. Share your success stories, challenges, and solutions at newsletter@evertoconquer.io.
Stay Connected: Subscribe to Ever to Conquer and join thousands of government leaders and industry executives driving progress. Forward this newsletter to colleagues who share our mission of advancing public sector innovation.
Ever to Conquer is published weekly to foster collaboration, break down marketplace barriers, and accelerate innovation across America’s federal and SLED technology ecosystem.
Click Here To Learn More
|
