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2 minute read
🎬 Recorded at TAGITM's Annual Conference at the La Cantera Spa & Resort in San Antonio, TX. Visit https://www.tagitm.org/ to learn more how TAG is serving as the premier organization for government technology professionals in Texas.
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Episode Highlights
What if cybersecurity in government isn’t about buying the newest tools — but trusted relationships, shared intelligence, and grassroots innovation?
In this episode, four Texas public sector leaders share how local governments are building enterprise-level resilience without enterprise budgets. From 27 innovation awards in the City of Seguin (and counting — Shane scored #27 mid-interview), to mutual aid agreements replacing $40K emergency response contracts, to AI solutions that collapse months of compliance work into hours — this is a masterclass in trust-powered transformation.
You’ll hear how the TAGITM community launched a secure statewide Data Collective (don’t worry — Eric double-checked the security for everyone), how a Cohesity box landed in a city office just two days after the PO was signed (Jody may or may not have had it ready in the trunk), and why the best IT decisions aren’t always about cost — but collaboration, community, and a few Hawaiian shirts.
- (00:45) “We’re Calling on you, Rishma!” — Shane’s Shoutout to Las Vegas Airport CIO
- (03:00) 27 Innovation Awards (and Counting): How Shane’s Rural Team Built Big-City Security
- (06:00) Data vs. Cyber Resiliency: The 2016 Shift That Changed Everything
- (11:00) Degrees & Certs: From Zero to 13 Degrees and 27 Certs in a Small Texas Team
- (13:00) Data Collective: How Texas Cities Built a Secure, Peer-Driven Vendor Intelligence Platform
- (17:00) Mutual Aid Agreements: How 15+ Cities Replaced $40K Emergency Contracts
- (34:00) RAG in Action: How AI Cut Compliance Work From Months to Hours
- (43:00) No-Brainer Decisions: When User Experience Beats Price
Featuring
- Shane McDaniel, Chief Information Officer & TAGITM President, City of Seguin
- Tony Gonzalez, IT Director & Past TAGITM President, City of New Braunfels
- Eric Matthews, Chief Information Officer, City of Allen
- Marlin McFate, CTO & CISO for Public Sector, Cohesity
Links Mentioned
- TAGITM - Serving as the premier organization for government technology professionals in Texas
- Cohesity - Modern data security and management for local government. Protect against ransomware and other cyber threats. Manage local government agency data securely and effectively.
🔥 Want more from the 2025 TAGITM Podcast Tour? Check out 2 other binge-worthy episodes you can’t miss.
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Brought to you by:
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