Overview

March 27
10AM PT, 1PM ET

Register

State and local governments are under growing pressure to modernize aging infrastructure while defending against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats—all without compromising uptime, public safety, or citizen services. From public safety systems and emergency communications to core agency applications, security failures are no longer isolated IT events—they are mission-impacting disruptions.

This webinar explores how State and Local agencies can strengthen cyber resilience by aligning security with mission outcomes, not just compliance checklists. We’ll discuss practical, framework–aligned approaches to protecting data, networks, and applications from the edge to the core to support modernization, AI readiness, and operational continuity.

Attendees will gain insight into how agencies are simplifying security architectures, reducing operational risk, and improving visibility across their environments—without ripping and replacing existing systems. The session will also address how to evaluate security investments through the lens of uptime, resilience, and procurement practicality, helping agencies move forward with confidence in a constrained budget environment.

Learning Objectives:

  • Connect cybersecurity to mission outcomes, understanding how modern security strategies directly support uptime, public safety operations, and reliable citizen services.
  • Identify practical approaches that protect users, data, and applications across distributed SLED environments without adding unnecessary complexity.
  • Assess how network-integrated security improves resilience, visibility, and threat response—especially for agencies operating legacy and modern systems side by side.
  • Apply a phased modernization mindset, enabling agencies to strengthen security and compliance while working within existing infrastructure and budget constraints.
  • Evaluate security decisions with procurement realities in mind, including how to reduce vendor sprawl, simplify sourcing, and align investments to long-term agency needs.

Speakers

Michael Kirchner headshot

Michael Kirchner

Field Chief Information Security Officer, Lumen

Michael Kirchner is the Field CISO for Public Sector West at Lumen, where he works with government and education organizations to strengthen cybersecurity programs and reduce operational risk. He brings nearly two decades of experience across telecommunications, IT, and cybersecurity, including prior roles as a Security Solutions Architect and SOC Lead supporting U.S. Air Force programs. A U.S. Air Force Reserve officer, Michael has advised Cyber Protection Teams and led initiatives securing both IT and operational technology (OT) environments, enabling a practical, mission focused approach to security leadership.

Deb Snyder headshot

Deb Snyder — Moderator

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Deb is an accomplished C-level executive, influencer and educator who has dedicated her career to improving state and local government services through policy and technology innovation. She has a broad range of experience in government programs, policy, cybersecurity, privacy and information technology. She formerly served as New York state’s chief information security officer, where she led the state’s cybersecurity programs and directed the NYS Cyber Command Center. She works with organizations and universities to strategically strengthen cybersecurity programs, defenses and preparedness, and to create and inspire the next generation of cyber leaders.

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