{"id":201107,"date":"2026-03-31T16:35:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T20:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/31\/is-object-level-encryption-the-future-of-cybersecurity\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T00:45:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T04:45:16","slug":"is-object-level-encryption-the-future-of-cybersecurity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testing.news-you-need.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/31\/is-object-level-encryption-the-future-of-cybersecurity\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Object-Level Encryption the Future of Cybersecurity?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is Object-Level Encryption the Future of Cybersecurity?<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.executivegov.com\/articles\/cybersecurity-ai-perimeter-encryption-virtru-angel-smith<\/a><\/p>\n

Publish Date: 2026-03-31 16:35:00<\/a><\/p>\n

Source Domain: www.executivegov.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Author: <\/a><\/p>\n

Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points. As AI is more prevalently used in high-security environments, cybersecurity can no longer rely on static defenses like application logins or network boundaries. Instead, the focus must shift toward securing the data itself.\u00a0Current frameworks remain rooted in legacy thinking, where security models still rely on traditional perimeter security, even as use of AI increasingly poses access and security challenges, prompting a transformation. Traditional models are becoming obsolete as organizations prioritize data accessibility and AI-driven outcomes.At Potomac Officers Club\u2019s 2026 Artificial Intelligence Summit earlier this month,\u00a0Angel Smith, president of global public sector at\u00a0Virtru, led a forward-looking discussion on how cybersecurity must evolve in an era shaped by agentic AI and increasingly fluid data environments. In answering whether object-level encryption can replace traditional cybersecurity models, Smith suggested the shift is not only possible but increasingly necessary, as perimeter-based approaches alone are no longer sufficient in AI-driven environments.To continue exploring these challenges and the path forward, join government and industry leaders at the\u00a02026 Cyber Summit on May 21, where discussions will focus on cyber infrastructure, securely adopting AI and overcoming legacy barriers to innovation.\u00a0Reserve your seat here.\u00a0Change From Traditional Perimeter Security to Object-Level EncryptionA central theme of Smith\u2019s panel discussion at the\u00a0Artificial Intelligence Summit was the transition away from perimeter-based security toward object-level encryption. This shift represents a paradigm change in how organizations protect sensitive information.Using a vivid analogy, Smith explained: \u201cyou\u2019ve got a castle and you\u2019ve got the moat around the castle\u2026you bust over that moat, you\u2019re going to get access to everything in the castle.\u201d This model\u2014long the foundation of cybersecurity\u2014assumes that threats can be kept out by reinforcing external boundaries.However, Smith argued that this approach is increasingly ineffective in modern, interconnected environments. Instead, she proposed encrypting data at its core, rendering external defenses less critical: \u201cif we were to think about the castle [in] terms of encrypting everything inside\u2026who cares [about the moat, an analogy for perimeter security]? Come on in\u2026 It\u2019s all encrypted.\u201dObject-level encryption could replace key functions of perimeter security by protecting data itself rather than relying on external defenses. This shift is described as a \u201cgame-changer,\u201d but one that requires organizations to fundamentally change the way that they think about cybersecurity.\u00a0What Is Perimeter Security?\u00a0Perimeter security refers to the traditional cybersecurity model focused on protecting the boundaries of a network or system. This includes firewalls, access controls and segmented environments designed to keep unauthorized users out.As described during the panel, perimeter security operates as a containment strategy. This approach often leads to siloed systems and limited data-sharing.\u00a0While effective in earlier IT environments, perimeter security struggles in today\u2019s landscape of interconnected systems and AI-driven workflows.What Is Object-Level Encryption?\u00a0Object-level encryption shifts the focus from protecting systems to protecting individual data elements. Instead of securing the perimeter, every piece of data gets encrypted and governed by access controls.Smith described this approach as securing data \u201cat the object level, no longer around the boundary level.\u201dThis means encryption can be applied at granular levels, such as \u201cthe word document level\u201d or even \u201cthe sensor field level.\u201d Each data object carries its own permissions and attributes, ensuring that only authorized users can access it regardless of where the data resides.The implications are significant: \u201cclouds don\u2019t matter anymore\u2026On-prem doesn\u2019t matter. You can move data, you can use AI because every single piece of information has attributes associated with it that only allows the right people to [access] it.\u201d Smith explained.\u00a0These capabilities position object-level encryption as a viable replacement for traditional models; by enabling secure data sharing across environments, object-level encryption methods support interoperability and AI integration.\u00a0Angel Smith (left) and SAIC\u2019s Jay Meil (right) during panel discussion at the 2026 AI Summit. Photo: Executive MosaicWhat Barriers Are Slowing the Shift to Data-Centric Security?\u00a0Transitioning to object-level encryption is not just a technical upgrade\u2014it requires a cultural and operational transformation.Panelists emphasized that the biggest barriers are not technological but institutional.\u201cOur policies are wrong, our perspectives are wrong,\u201d Smith said, noting that organizations often make decisions \u201cbased off of fear and legacy and infrastructure.\u201dInteroperability also presents a major challenge, particularly in government and defense environments. The inability to seamlessly share data across systems and organizations remains a critical obstacle, with Smith pointing to persistent difficulties \u201ctrading information between squadrons\u2026or\u2026ground units.\u201dUltimately, making the shift requires rethinking cybersecurity from the ground up\u2014prioritizing data-centric security models, enabling secure data-sharing and aligning policy with emerging technological realities.As the panel concluded, the future of cybersecurity will depend on whether organizations can overcome entrenched habits and embrace a model built for the AI-driven world.Who Is Angel Smith?Angel Smith is president of global public sector at Virtru, where she leads strategy and growth across government, defense and intelligence markets, with a focus on advancing data-centric security solutions. Prior to joining Virtru in 2026, she spent nearly a decade at Microsoft where she drove adoption of cloud, AI and data technologies across complex federal and international environments.Smith also brings government and military experience, previously serving as a senior professional staff member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, overseeing Department of War intelligence programs and supporting early cloud initiatives. Earlier in her career, she spent 23 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising from an enlisted electronics technician to a KC-130 pilot and detachment commander, shaping her perspective on national security and cybersecurity challenges.Where Can GovCons Learn How Cybersecurity Is Evolving at Federal Agencies?\u00a0To dive deeper into the evolving cybersecurity landscape, join the Potomac Officers Club\u2019s\u00a02026 Cyber Summit on May 21, where government and industry leaders will explore the latest strategies for securing networks in the age of AI.\u00a0The event will feature expert discussions on zero trust, data-centric security, emerging threats and the technologies shaping the future of cyber defense, with insights from featured keynote speakers including Assistant Secretary for Cyber Policy at DOW Katherine Sutton. Don\u2019t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and connect with key decision-makers driving innovation across the public and private sectors.\u00a0Save your seat today! Farhan Khan Named FCC CIO The Federal Communications Commission has appointed Farhan Khan, a technology leader and former Food and Drug Administration official, as chief information officer. As Khan steps into the FCC\u2019s top IT role, federal leaders are sharpening their focus on modernization and secure digital infrastructure. Sign up today for the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit and hear directly from leaders shaping the future of federal technology. FCC said Monday Khan will establish and oversee the commission\u2019s technical vision, lead IT services and drive modernization efforts. He will also ensure information security across FCC systems to support the agency\u2019s workforce and meet the needs Marine Corps Advances AI-Driven Battle Management in Dynamis Serial 005 Exercise The U.S. Marine Corps conducted \u201cDynamis Serial 005,\u201d the fifth iteration of Project Dynamis, from March 3 to 20, across five sites in the U.S., including Fort Carson, Colorado, and Charleston, South Carolina. As the Marine Corps advances AI-enabled command and control through efforts like Project Dynamis, conversations around multidomain integration and decision advantage continue to gain urgency across the naval community. Register now for the 2026 Navy Summit and join the discussion about how the service is advancing digital modernization, autonomous systems and other naval capabilities. USMC said Friday the exercise focused on artificial intelligence-enabled battle management command-and-control, or Former DHS Executive Craig Basham Appointed US Secret Service Deputy CIO The U.S. Secret Service has appointed veteran technology executive\u00a0Craig Basham to serve as its new deputy chief information officer.\u00a0Chris Cummiskey, CEO of Cummiskey Strategic Solutions and former Department of Homeland Security under secretary, announced the appointment Saturday on LinkedIn. Sign up for the Potomac Officers Club\u2019s 2026 Intel Summit on Sept. 24 to hear from senior intelligence leaders and industry experts on how data, AI, cyber capabilities and secure information-sharing are transforming intelligence operations. Who Is Craig Basham? Basham is an IT and cybersecurity leader with more than two\u00a0decades of experience in federal and military service. He spent over five
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