In this panel, government leaders will discuss their efforts to secure critical infrastructure and facilitate rapid, secure innovation. Experts will examine how federal policy serves as a key driver in developing cybersecurity compliance across government, continually adapting to a changing threat environment and technological advancements. Federal executive orders, mandates, and legislation actively promote the sharing of threat information between the government and the private sector, recognizing the importance of joint defense against cyberattacks. The shift toward a proactive, ongoing compliance approach in cybersecurity allows federal agencies in the energy and environmental sectors to go beyond simply responding to incidents, instead proactively identifying, mitigating, and countering threats more effectively and resiliently.

Additionally, our experts will explore ways to streamline the Authority to Operate (ATO) process for quicker technology adoption. Although the ATO is vital for ensuring the security and compliance of new solutions, it often causes delays that slow the adoption of critical technologies. However, with new strategies and increased automation, agencies can significantly cut down the time needed to obtain ATO, allowing for faster implementation of innovative solutions. Furthermore, federal policy actively supports the adoption of key future-proofing technologies, such as Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Experts will emphasize the importance of a multifaceted, comprehensive approach to deploying this emerging technology, ensuring long-term data security and cryptographic flexibility.