Eric Trexler
Senior Vice President of US Public Sector, Palo Alto Networks
In 2024, Eric Trexler predicts one of the public sector’s top challenges will be recognizing that cybersecurity is national security. The cybersecurity battle is actively playing out in schools, towns, cities, states and at the national level every day. To counter this, the nation must shift to automation and orchestration in its cybersecurity defensive capabilities.
“We continue to see challenges that arise from lack of consolidation and platform approaches to cybersecurity. It’s time to focus on outcomes instead of technologies,” Trexler said.
Considering the Cybersecurity Executive Order 14028 released in 2021, Trexler said it will be interesting to see how the nation has matured by the executive order’s third birthday this May.
“In many places we’re still checking activities against the pillars and assessing,” he said. “We should be consolidating our cybersecurity tools by removing duplicate purchases, agency vs. sub-agency investments, purchasing integrated capabilities. Applying AI against disparate and ever changing datasets will be a costly endeavor.”
There’s also a focus on delivering on expectations set out in executive order on AI. It’s a rapidly evolving space and agencies need to be working with the right partners to effectively leverage AI according to the timelines laid out. Industry will build AI capabilities into their products today, the government will build AI around their data and needs tomorrow.
Hand-in-hand with that is recognizing AI and automation will improve, not solve, the cyber talent gap, but it is needed in cybersecurity to stay ahead of today’s threat landscape. AI represents a tremendous opportunity, but it needs to be applied responsibly, and used in the right circumstances.
Why Watch
Trexler and his team are working diligently to address the issues mentioned above. They understand the cyber landscape and will be there to guide the government through a complex environment with cutting-edge technology for tomorrow’s challenges. Without a truly holistic, targeted approach to cybersecurity, it will remain an uphill battle for any federal agency to meet their goals and expectations.
“Eric is a hands-on leader who brings together deep cybersecurity expertise with a keen understanding of the challenges our public sector customers face,” said BJ Jenkins, president of Palo Alto Networks. “He is a tireless champion for our customers, partners and his Palo Alto Networks team. When I say, ‘In Trexler I trust,’ I mean it. He leads with authenticity, integrity and results.”