“
pattern is consistent: siloed systems, limited data sharing, and verification processes that cannot keep pace with evolving fraud tactics. Legacy systems often cannot support the speed, accuracy, and security needed to maintain integrity at scale. Cyber risk now rivals fraud in scale, speed, and sophistication. Attackers automate credential harvesting, coordinate activity across compromised accounts, and exploit shared platforms. Ransomware crews target backups and steal data for double extortion. Regulatory requirements such as CJIS, IRS Publication 1075, HIPAA, and FERPA further raise expectations. Meeting these standards in legacy environments often means custom engineering rather than sustainable patterns. What modernization unlocks Modernized platforms strengthen program integrity and cyber resilience by letting agencies: Detect fraud earlier by integrating data across programs Update fraud and risk models quickly as threats evolve Strengthen identity assurance through MFA, conditional access, and federation Improve resilience through segmentation, encryption, and automated recovery Provide audit-ready evidence with real-time observability While some of these capabilities can be implemented on legacy systems, they typically require costly customization and niche expertise. Modern cloud and hybrid environments offer a more sustainable path forward.
AI strengthens modernization and risk reduction in Florida Artificial intelligence accelerates both modernization and risk reduction when applied to challenges legacy systems cannot easily address: Preserve program integrity by detecting unusual activity, verifying identity and eligibility across siloed datasets, and flagging billing anomalies. Strengthen cyber defense with improved threat detection and accelerated investigation and response.
Modernization isn’t only a technology decision – it’s a leadership decision. Modernization is how Florida’s leaders act before challenges impact our residents and communities, - Monica Corbin, Florida Client Partner, Slalom
Strengthening the front door Improving verification before users reach the legacy system is one of the most immediate ways to reduce fraud and cyber exposure. Agencies can introduce MFA and identity federation, improve real- time transaction visibility, and shift fraud analytics into modern platforms. This approach improves security and accuracy without touching core processing, creating early wins while broader modernization continues. Hybrid modernization: A practical bridge A fully modernized environment is rarely delivered all at once. Successful organizations stabilize their legacy core while moving high-impact capabilities such as identity, analytics, and fraud detection into modern architectures. Streaming events from mainframes into cloud platforms creates near real-time insight without disrupting operations. Fraud rules and risk models can evolve more rapidly. Hybrid isn’t the final destination: it’s a bridge that reduces risk, accelerates value, and builds momentum.
Modernize systems by translating legacy code, mapping dependencies, and reducing delivery timelines and reliance on highly specialized talent.
Florida is increasingly recognized nationally for its innovative use of technology to reduce cost and risk in emergency management operations. In 2024, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) deployed an AI-enabled anomaly detection tool. The solution saves significant time by identifying and interpreting invoice anomalies, sends notifications summarizing anomalous invoices and other invoice quality issues, and allows FDEM to better streamline the invoice process by optimizing valuable resources and enabling faster resolution. In the first year, the solution saved the State of Florida $1.8 million.
40 – 2026 Legislative Edition – Florida Technology Magazine
Powered by FlippingBook