Guest Editorial by Mike Daniels, Senior Vice President of Public Sector, UiPath

Automation technology company UiPath recently released its predictions for the top public sector automation and artificial intelligence trends in 2023. They span an array of functions – from healthcare record keeping to supply chain management – that are leaning into the solutions these technologies offer.

An estimated 3.6 trillion hours of work each year are automatable, according to research, and it’s predicted that during 2023, automation will be universally adopted.

Government agencies are integrating automation and artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations, understanding that these technologies are key to improving citizen services, addressing skills gaps, and maximizing federal and state budgets.

In the past few years, the COVID pandemic has brought about an increase in remote work capabilities, which, in turn, has created a slew of cybersecurity concerns.

According to Foundry’s State of the CIO 2022 study, that is exactly where chief information officers are expected to focus in 2023, with 76% of respondents saying they expect their involvement in cybersecurity to increase within the year.

Automation is going to be key to the success of those efforts, which is why I believe we’re going to see a massive increase in its use for behavioral analysis, pattern recognition, and improved response time to potential security threats.

(See how the story of work started a long time ago, on a Monday… As people got better at work, they built tools to work more efficiently, they even built computers to work smarter, but still, they couldn’t do enough work! The more work they did, the more work they created, and not the good kind. One day a very smart person figured out how to put the fun back in work, this is their story… Courtesy of UiPath and YouTube.)

Addressing the skills gap

Ransomware, phishing, and malware plague the public sector, but it’s difficult to find enough cybersecurity experts to mitigate attacks when agencies compete with the private sector to fill positions. Human error plays a significant role in costly data breaches, and high threat volumes exacerbate the issue and increase the likelihood of mistakes.

According to IBM research, organizations can close this skills gap and mitigate costs by incorporating automation into their operations. Organizations with a fully deployed security automation strategy had an average breach cost of $2.9 million, whereas those with no automation strategy had an average breach cost of $6.71 million, the study found.

Employing automation and AI to aid in threat detection and remediation has the potential to save agencies millions in damages in the event of a data breach, while also mitigating the nationwide shortage of skilled and reliable labor in cybersecurity.

Digital assistants can bolster security

Even within an agency with a well-staffed, talented team of cybersecurity experts, employees can become easily overburdened and experience alert fatigue when alerts occur in high volumes.

When there is an overabundance of potential threats flagged, organization and prioritization can lag. According to a survey conducted by IDC and FireEye, more than one-third of IT security managers and security analysts admit to ignoring threat alerts once their queue is full.

Automating even a few of a cyber engineer’s daily tasks, such as defining security rules, scanning for threats, and tracking access control to critical data, can make a huge difference in their ability to focus on higher-value tasks.

(See how you can get even more from your attended robots with #UiPath Assistant. It allows business users to easily schedule their robot to perform tasks at the right time, get reminders about upcoming automations, and start running a robot from any existing tool. See how to integrate UiPath Assistant in your day-to-day life. Courtesy of UiPath and YouTube.)

When deployed together, AI and automation can separate the security breach alerts that require immediate attention from false alarms and ensure that the most critical alerts are moved to the top of the queue.

Digital assistants can also employ event-driven automation to trigger endpoint detection and response, and then perform the appropriate remediation action. Manual threat hunting can be expensive and inefficient, but with automation, robots can operate self-sufficiently and accurately when performing repetitive tasks, which saves agencies time, money, and effort in the long run.

Striking the balance

Of course, public sector agencies have already invested in myriad tools, solutions, and AI to defend against cyber intrusion. The real opportunity lies in automating between and across the technologies, people, and processes of this landscape to drive faster and more cohesive responses versus continuing to invest in new tools and capabilities.

Automation can be the fabric that reduces the complexity of this highly composite environment to enable the speed of signal to the response.

Traditional tools and techniques that rely on indicators of compromise to identify threats, such as unusual network traffic or an increase in incorrect logins, are effective to a point, but when combined with automation, AI, and machine learning technologies, they can allow cybersecurity analysts to achieve greater detection and easily perform subsequent manual tasks such as blocking IP addresses in firewall systems.

(Learn to better understand your business processes and how people work to uncover everything worth automating, and then optimize your digital workforce. Courtesy of UiPath and YouTube.)

Automation and AI are not a replacement for human experts but rather a means to empower workers to focus on important tasks, supplement their abilities, and fill in the skills gaps that agencies tend to experience.

These technologies can identify behavioral patterns and risks that humans can’t, but human oversight is crucial to ensuring their ethical use and deciding what data is flawed versus reliable.

The alliance between humans and bots is where the real potential for improvement lies, and I believe we will see agencies capitalize on that potential in the coming year.

UiPath has the vision to deliver the Fully Automated Enterprise™, where companies use automation to unlock their greatest potential.

UiPath offers an end-to-end platform for automation, combining the leading Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solution with a full suite of capabilities that enable every organization to rapidly scale digital business operations.

The UiPath platform empowers organizations to be more profitable and productive while securely and transparently processing data. It empowers government employees and improves customer experience for the public.

For more information on how to harness the power of automation to transform your organization in 2023, visit UiPath’s Public Sector page.

About the Author

As the Senior Vice President, Public Sector for UiPath, Mike Daniels helps customers unlock the value of its industry-leading enterprise automation platform to drive digital transformation at the intersection of data, systems, processes, and people.

Prior to UiPath, Daniels was the Vice President of the Global Public Sector for Google Cloud.

He has also served as Senior Vice President of Public Sector Sales for Salesforce, and Group Vice President of the Oracle North America Public Sector Sales team.

UiPath Recognized in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering it’s Eighth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

Best Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Solution

• UiPath Platform for Automation

• The UiPath platform increases the workflow efficiency of companies, empowering them to become more profitable and productive.

• UiPath achieved In Process status from the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) in April 2022, enabling its end-to-end automation platform to be used to securely and transparently process data, speed operations, empower government workers, and improve the customer experience for the public—a top priority of the current White House administration.

• UiPath automation is built upon six categories: discover, build, manage, run, engage and deliver, and through the UiPath Automation Cloud, companies can instantly begin accessing SaaS robots, choosing between VM Automation Cloud Robot or Serverless Automation Cloud Robot, and removes the need for companies to use their own cloud or physical infrastructure.

• Importantly, every UiPath service is in scope for SOC 2, and Automation Cloud HIPAA attestation also helps organizations adopt UiPath cloud confidently.

(What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)? Learn how automation software can end repetitive tasks and make digital transformation a reality. Courtesy of UiPath and YouTube.)

• UiPath’s efforts are helping U.S. businesses grow and modernizing government agencies to provide citizen services more efficiently and accurately. Finally, UiPath provides businesses and agencies the flexibility to readjust and prioritize the customer experience. 

• *UiPath is a new competitor to the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program.

Homeland Security remains at the forefront of our national conversation as we experience an immigration crisis along our southern border and crime rates that are dramatically higher than before the Pandemic across the United States.

These challenges have become a national priority with an influx of investments in innovative new technologies and systems.

Enter American Security Today, the #1 publication and media platform in the Government Security and Homeland Security fields, with a circulation of over 75,000 readers and many tens of thousands more who visit our AST website at www.americansecuritytoday.com each month.

The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Ceremony Luncheon Banquet, an exclusive, full-course plated meal event, in the heart of New York City.

This year’s exclusive sold-out ‘ASTORS’ luncheon featured representatives of law enforcement, public safety, and industry leaders who came together to honor the selfless service of those who stand on the front lines, and those who stand beside them – providing the capabilities and technologies to create a safer world for generations to come.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which came out in force, to discuss comprehensive collaborations between private and public sectors that have led to the development of intelligence and technologies which serve to protect our nation.

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program emphasized the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders.

The keynote address was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane Sabatino, who described the changes to CBP through the tragedy of 9/11 and the relentless commitment to its mission and ongoing investment in the latest technologies and innovations to protect our borders and Homeland.

The resounding theme of the DEAC’s remarks was her pride in the women and men of the CBP and their families who support them.

AST was also joined by Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton, who spoke, as always, about his love for the City of New York, the Profession of law enforcement to which he has dedicated his life, and for which he continues to drive thought leadership and innovation.

New York City Police Department (NYPD) Chief of Department Kenneth Corey, came out to address Luncheon attendees and shared some of his experiences and the changes in policing he’s witnessed over his more than three decades of service.

FDNY Chief Joseph Jardin honored the men and women of the FDNY, not only those who currently serve but all of those who have selflessly served, with a special recognition of those lost on 9/11.

Chief Jardin spoke about the continuing health battle of many following 9/11 with cancer and respiratory disease, yet now knowing the full consequences, would not have made a different decision to respond.

As Chief Jardin noted, mission-driven service is in the lifeblood of every firefighter, volunteer and sworn and has been so throughout the history of the Fire Service.

Former head of the FBI’s active shooter program, Katherine Schweit joined AST to sign complimentary copies of her book, ‘STOP THE KILLING: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis,’ thanks to the generosity of our 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Sponsors. 

The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by NEC National Security Systems (NSS), ATI Systems, Automatic Systems of America, guardDog AI, Fortior Solutions, IPVideo Corporation, Rajant Corporation, RX Global, and SIMS Software!

We were pleased to welcome the esteemed New York City Fire Department (FDNY); the New York City Police Department (NYPD); and the NYC Hospital Police,  as well as Executive Management from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and many other DHS agencies, Federal law enforcement agencies, and private/public partnerships such as the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), the 30×30 Initiative, a coalition of professionals advancing the representation of women in policing; and Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) (rail safety advocates).

The prestigious Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program highlights the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

In 2022 over 240 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields.

Each year, to keep our communities safe and secure, security dealers, installers, integrators, and consultants, along with corporate, government, and law enforcement/first responder practitioners, convene in New York City to network, learn and evaluate the latest technologies and solutions from premier exhibiting brands at ISC East, the Natural Disaster & Emergency Management Expo (NDEM EXPO), and the ASIS NYC Expo.

ISC East is the Northeast’s leading security & public safety event, hosted in collaboration with sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA) and in partnership with ASIS NYC.

Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their Legacy of Wins, include:

Advanced Detection Technologies, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Cellbusters, CornellCookson, CyberArk  Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, High Rise Escape Systems, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Select Engineering Services LLC, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and West Virginia American Access Control Systems, just to name a few!

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old-school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, which is essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local levels as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to a large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Be On the LookOut for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2022 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It will serve as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2022 Products and Services’ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It will also include featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

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