---
title: "#190: Content-Defined Zero Trust: Securing Public Sector Data"
description: How WaTech, Snohomish County, and Bremerton Schools protect elections, student data, and state systems with next-gen zero trust strategies.
image: https://techtables.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-06-19%20at%206.45.46%20AM.png
---

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 January 17, 2025

# #190: Content-Defined Zero Trust: Securing Public Sector Data

![Picture of Joe Toste](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d79e02d2f67ca9987e895bb88cf1c034)    Joe Toste  ·   2 minute read

<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtoste/> <https://twitter.com/thejoetoste> <https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-public-sector-show-by-techtables/id1661752549> <https://open.spotify.com/show/0bFQBsDwKJkdNk2qENkhNL> <https://www.youtube.com/@techtables> [mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com)

 

 

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**Listen now: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@techtables) x [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-public-sector-show-by-techtables/id1661752549) x [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/0bFQBsDwKJkdNk2qENkhNL?si=387c7ae946694939)**

---

 

### 📬 **The TechTables Newsletter**

TechTables connects public sector technology leaders — CIOs, CISOs, and CTOs — through darn good conversations and peer-driven community. The best place to start is the newsletter.

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### **Featuring:**

- **[Ralph Johnson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfjnsn/)**, CISO, State of Washington
- **[Doug Cavit](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougcavit/)**, CISO, Snohomish County
- [Nikhil Gautam](https://www.bremertonschools.org/46735_2?personID=243229), Director, Technology Services, Bremerton School District
- **[Tim Freestone](https://www.linkedin.com/in/freestone/)**, CMO, Kiteworks 

### **What You’ll Learn:**

- Washington State's strategic approach to zero trust implementation across decentralized agencies and vendor management
- How Bremerton School District revolutionized their security architecture to protect sensitive student data across 72 network segments
- Snohomish County's comprehensive approach to securing election data through transparency and federal partnerships
- Why content-defined zero trust is transforming data protection across state and local government
- How public sector leaders balance core security fundamentals with emerging technologies to protect critical data

### **Timestamps**

- ([02:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD0lAFPXsiM&t=120s)) Washington State's Zero Trust Journey & Vendor Accountability Strategy
- ([07:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD0lAFPXsiM&t=420s)) SBOMs: The Red Flag Test for Vendor Security Maturity
- ([09:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD0lAFPXsiM&t=540s)) From 100 to 600 Users: KiteWorks Texas Success Story
- ([11:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD0lAFPXsiM&t=660s)) Zero-Downtime Security Overhauls in Active School Districts
- ([14:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD0lAFPXsiM&t=840s)) Content-Defined Zero Trust: Data Segmentation Across State Agencies
- ([17:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD0lAFPXsiM&t=1020s)) Breakthrough Contract: Vendors Pay $50K for Missing Deadlines
- ([28:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD0lAFPXsiM&t=1680s)) Smart MFA Rollout: Remote Access First, Enterprise-Wide Next
- ([31:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD0lAFPXsiM&t=1800s)) 40% Female Cybersecurity Team & Risk Management Fundamentals
- ([33:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD0lAFPXsiM&t=1980s)) "It's the Data, Stupid" - AI Era Security Philosophy<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JskdymT1thw&t=97s>

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#### Subscribe to the Newsletter

Join our thriving community of senior technology leaders by subscribing to the TechTables Newsletter. Gain early access to the latest episodes, industry insights, and exclusive event updates.

#### **RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES - FROM THE 2024 PHOENIX LIVE PODCAST TOUR**

**→ [#179: Richard McHattie, Chris Chirgwin, Mike Hojnicki, Don Ingle - Transforming the Resident Experience: Insights from Top County CIOs](https://techtables.com/podcast/179/richard-mchattie-chris-chirgwin-mike-hojnicki-don-ingle)**

**→ ****[#180: J.R. Sloan, Ryan Murray & Doug Lange – Arizona State CIO, CISO & Former CSO Talk AI](https://techtables.com/podcast/180/j.r.-sloan-ryan-murray-doug-lange)**

**→ **[**#181: Dr. Bianca Lochner, Feroz Merchhiya, Dr. Muriel Reid, & Ken Williams – Smart Cities & Digital Innovation – Transforming Cities with AI & 5G**](https://techtables.com/podcast/181/dr.-bianca-lochner-feroz-merchhiya-dr.-muriel-reid-ken-williams)

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