Identity is the New Tier-0

For many years, strengthening the network perimeter through more robust defenses, faster patching, and improved threat detection has been the gold standard. However, today’s threat landscape has fundamentally changed and as a result defenses must change too. Federal agencies are now recognizing that identity has become the new Tier-0 as attackers increasingly use compromised credentials and identity systems to bypass traditional security measures. Building cyber resilience is no longer just about preventing intrusions. It requires protecting and rapidly recovering the identity infrastructure that supports every mission. Jimmy McNary, Deputy Federal CTO at Semperis, joins the Government Technology Insider podcast to discuss why identity has become the new Tier-0 and what agencies need to do to build resilience against identity-based attacks. McNary and host, Lucas Hunsicker, explore how identity infrastructure and Active Directory are being targeted by today’s threat actors, why recovery planning is just as crucial as prevention, and how AI is reshaping cyber defense and identity-focused attacks.