Protecting trust at the speed of risk: Why modernization matters Co-Authored By , Stephen Walsh and Chris Montgomery, Public Sector Technology Advisors, Slalom Trust is the foundation of every public program. People rely on
public institutions to deliver essential services, safeguard personal information, and manage public dollars responsibly. However, fraud and cyber risks targeting our government systems — from ransomware to deepfakes — grow more sophisticated every week. Approximately 70% of state and local government agencies reported ransomware attacks in the past two years, with a mean recovery cost of $2.8M. Florida is not immune to this threat. Our technology leaders must remain hyper-vigilant and modernize responsibly to stay ahead. Why legacy systems fall behind Mainframes have delivered decades of reliability. However, today’s environment requires more adaptability, integration, and near real-time responsiveness. Legacy systems struggle to deliver against these modern requirements, including: Real-time identity verification and eligibility checks Cross-program data sharing Integration with modern analytics, machine learning, and third-party identity systems
Consistent security control application across siloed environments Rapid rule, code, or configuration adjustments Even modest improvements may require specialized skills, lengthy development cycles, and significant costs. The issue is structural: threats evolve quickly, but legacy environments do not. Cybersecurity is not only about preventing attacks, but also about protecting the continuity of the services residents rely on most. Government leaders who modernize legacy systems proactively will defend programs at the speed of risk and “ Cyber risk and fraud accelerating in parallel Fraud remains a persistent challenge for government programs like unemployment insurance or Medicaid. While specifics vary by program, the protect public trust. -Chris Montgomery, Slalom Public Sector Sr Director and former CISO.
Florida Technology Magazine – 2026 Legislative Edition – 39
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