Tag Archives: MD

Next Gen Tech Needs Next Gen Acquisition

Posted on by

The speed at which technology evolves presents many challenges for the federal government, the first being the actual acquisition of solutions. Government procurement processes and policies have had to adjust and evolve to enable agencies to buy and implement the emerging technologies that support their mission.

Utilizing Existing Platforms

The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) may be the largest and most visible example of this evolution, allowing agencies to securely acquire cloud solutions. The program is being used as a platform to ensure that other transformative technologies, like the cloud, can securely make their way into government systems. The Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework provides guidance on how cloud service providers can request their emerging tech-powered products be prioritized and then implemented. The initial focus will be on artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, focusing on chat interfaces, code generators and debugging tools, image generators, and associated application program interfaces. Continue reading →

The Top Healthcare IT Events to Watch for in 2024

Posted on by

From artificial intelligence (AI) to predictive analytics, edge computing, and beyond, healthcare organizations have access to a wealth of technologies that can help improve patient care and clinical performance--and there are many more tools on the horizon. This year's healthcare IT conferences will be full of valuable insights about how these solutions can lead to better patient outcomes while helping organizations overcome some of the industry's biggest challenges, including cybersecurity threats, staffing shortages, budget constraints, and more.

Check out These Leading Healthcare IT Events:

  • AI in Healthcare (Sept. 5-6; Boston, MA) - The AI in Healthcare Forum cuts through the hype and offers a comprehensive showcase of real-world examples illustrating the transformative potential of AI across the healthcare continuum. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest advancements and forge connections with industry leaders driving the future of healthcare forward.
  • Health IT Summit (Sept. 19; Rockville, MD) - Government is strategizing the next phase of health IT transformation to combat future health crises and advance health care, research and software implementation. In this process, agencies are employing new concepts and tools to further health agency missions across the public sector. Join GOVCIO as federal health IT leaders discuss the latest developments in public health through topics such as electronic health records (EHR) modernization, emerging tech investments, data interoperability and sharing, and more.

For further information on upcoming Healthcare IT events recommended by Carahsoft, please check out this blog.

Developing an AI Training Plan for the Government Workforce

Posted on by

In talking about AI, there is a lot of discussion about "training the models"--feeding large amounts of data into an algorithm and then examining the results to ensure they are accurate. Once the models are deployed, the training does not stop for the models, and even more importantly, for its users.

A study from Deloitte estimates that generative AI could help boost productivity tenfold. However, this jump in efficiency will only be realized if AI and its outputs are being used correctly. Working with AI and AI-generated content requires a different set of skills that include critical thinking, algorithmic understanding, data analysis, deeper domain knowledge, cyber/data hygiene, and more. Continue reading →

The Changing Identity of Identity Management

Posted on by

A key element of the move to zero trust is the use of "strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) throughout their enterprise." While identity management has been indicated by many as the "low hanging fruit" of a zero-trust journey, it is by no means easy. In fact, recent guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) called it "notoriously difficult."

Key challenges to implementing MFA include:

  • Lack of standards - the CISA/NSA guidance pointed to confusion over MFA terminology and vague policy instructions as primary challenges to implementing more secure access. A joint committee of European Union (EU) and U.S. experts addressed this same issue in the Digital Identity Mapping Exercise Report, which aimed to define specific digital identity technical terminology. For example, the group found some definitions, such as "authoritative source" and "authentication factor," are identical between the U.S. and EU, whereas others, like "identity" and "signature," remain only partially matched.
  • Phishing - bad actors do not always hack the system; they hack the process, gaining entry through social-engineering tactics that grow more sophisticated by the day. The CISA/NSA report called on the vendor community to provide MFA services with additional investments and greater defenses against sophisticated attacks.
  • Rise of Generative AI - The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working to ensure technologies can determine if a submitted image is legitimate or a hacker's spoof. This "liveness detection" is needed to ensure that a submitted selfie is really a photo of a person, not a mask, photo of a photo, or other technique to try to get past the check.

Continue reading →

Checking Up on Digital Health Solutions

Posted on by

The health industry has always leaned into emerging technologies to help it become more efficient and effective in delivering patient care. Like a doctor's stethoscope or an X-ray machine, today's digital solutions are part of a continuing evolution of medical tools that enhance and inform provider care. Of course, this use of technology must be thoughtful and careful not to replace doctors or their decisions with computer-generated suggestions.

The government's role of oversight into healthcare delivery is a careful balancing act of encouraging innovation while ensuring patient safety. From medical devices to artificial intelligence (AI), regulations are evolving to ensure healthcare gains efficiencies and insights from digital solutions while maintaining patient protections. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration recently created a new Digital Health Advisory Committee to help support the development of digital health technologies and their regulation. This committee will examine a wide variety of technologies and issues, including AI, cyber security, and equity in healthcare delivery. Continue reading →