Episode description

In this episode of Cyber Focus, host Frank Cilluffo interviews Patrick Wright, the Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Privacy Officer for the State of Nebraska. The discussion centers around the challenges and opportunities of implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity strategies at the state and local levels. Patrick shares insights on leveraging AI to bolster cybersecurity, managing privacy implications, and building strategic public-private partnerships. The conversation also highlights initiatives like Cyber Tatanka, a unique cybersecurity exercise involving military, government, and private entities, and addresses the importance of cooperation with federal agencies.

Main Topics Covered:

• State-level implementation of AI and its role in improving government services
• Leveraging AI for cybersecurity: challenges, use cases, and privacy considerations
• Cyber Tatanka: A collaborative cybersecurity exercise with the National Guard
• Strategic partnerships with private sector and federal agencies
• Resource allocation and logistical challenges in disaster management using AI

Key Quotes:

"We're leveraging cybersecurity and AI to bolster our defenses against the national and global threats that we face." – Patrick Wright

"We can talk about cyber security from a strategic perspective all day long... But where the rubber meets the road is in providing the the critical capabilities for cyber down to the SLT level." – Patrick Wright

"Being proactive in not only what we're doing from a cybersecurity awareness perspective, but from an emerging technology perspective, from a policy perspective, from a best practices perspective." – Patrick Wright

"When you start talking about targeting the power grid, not only are you disrupting power supply generation for constituents across the state or region, but you're also, impacting power for other critical infrastructure like like health care and banking." – Patrick Wright

"We tend to look at the world through our boxes and org charts. The bad guys don't. They act. In fact, they very intentionally exploit the seams in our defenses. –  Frank Cilluffo

Relevant Links and Resources:
National Association of State Technology Directors (NASTD)
NASTD AI Survey
Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)

Guest Bio: Patrick Wright is Nebraska’s Chief Information Security and Privacy Officer, responsible for statewide cybersecurity initiatives, incident response, and compliance. With experience in both public and private sectors, he holds degrees in IT and public policy, and chairs multiple cybersecurity committees. He also serves on CIS’s Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center Executive Committee (MS-ISAC).