Edgewater was proud to sponsor TechFrederick’s exclusive event featuring retired General Paul Nakasone, former Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Director of the NSA. The evening brought together federal leaders, contractors, and technologists for a candid discussion on the future of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and national resilience.
Cybersecurity Is a Shared Responsibility
General Nakasone made it clear: cybersecurity is no longer just a government issue. The private sector, especially government contractors, plays a crucial role in defending national interests. He emphasized that public-private partnerships are essential to staying ahead of adversaries, particularly as threats become more sophisticated and state-sponsored, targeting critical infrastructure, supply chains, and emerging tech ecosystems.
Edgewater is answering that call through real-world innovation. Our R.E.A.C.T. (Rapid Exposure Assessment & Compliance Tracking) tool exemplifies how contractors can proactively support federal cybersecurity missions. R.E.A.C.T. provides external threat detection without internal access, enabling agencies to identify credential exposures, validate Zero Trust controls, and align with mandates like EO 14028, FISMA, and NIST—all without disrupting operations.
Innovation vs. Vulnerability
Emerging technologies like quantum computing, AI, and automation are rapidly transforming cyber operations across the federal landscape. General Nakasone emphasized that while these innovations unlock new capabilities, they also introduce new vulnerabilities, making it essential for organizations to stay vigilant.
He reinforced the need to upskill the federal workforce in cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and building robust talent pipelines to meet the growing demand for cyber professionals.
Edgewater is actively addressing both sides of this challenge. Through our AI Governance Board and AI Innovation Advisory Panel, we ensure that innovation is always balanced with security—aligning directly with Nakasone’s call for strategic oversight in emerging tech environments.
A Simple, Yet Powerful Security Tip
In a moment of practical wisdom, Nakasone shared a daily security habit that everyone—especially those handling sensitive government data—should adopt:
SHUT DOWN & RESTART your smartphone or device daily. This clears active memory, disrupts persistent malware, resets network connections, and applies security updates.
Why This Matters
For federal contractors, this event was more than a networking opportunity, it was a strategic briefing on the evolving threat landscape and the role contractors must play in national defense. From real-time threat intelligence sharing to workforce readiness, the insights shared by General Nakasone are directly applicable to the missions we support every day.
Stay Ahead of Emerging Threats
Cyber threats are evolving. So must we. Edgewater offers tailored cybersecurity solutions for federal agencies to stay resilient. Connect with our team today.