GovExec TV Five Questions with Jim Smid

As cyber threats become more advanced, the Department of Defense is embracing AI, automation, and platform consolidation to enhance resilience and operational efficiency. In this session, Jim Smid, Principal Architect at Palo Alto Networks, will share how the company is partnering with military agencies to modernize cyber defenses—from using AI to alleviate analyst workload, to securing an expanding attack surface and preparing for next-generation challenges like quantum computing. He'll offer practical strategies for improving situational awareness across complex environments and building a more agile, future-ready cyber posture.