Show Notes
Cisco Aguilar, Nevada's Secretary of State, shares what it's like to run a government office with the discipline of a technology company, and discusses how that mindset led Nevada to overhaul both its statewide voter registration system and its business filing infrastructure at the same time. He explains how the state survived one of the largest cyberattacks in US history without its systems being touched, and why he refused to hand over Nevada voters' personal data to the federal government. Key Takeaways: How Nevada survived a major cyberattack by turning to the private sector rather than waiting for federal support
Why Cisco refused a federal request for Nevada voters' Social Security numbers, birthdays, and driver's license numbers
How Nevada consolidated 17 separate county voter systems into one statewide platform in just 14 months
What happened when Nevada's old business filing system went down for an entire month and what the Orion system is designed to prevent
Why centralized systems can actually protect privacy (rather than threaten it)
Guest Bio: Cisco Aguilar serves as Nevada's Secretary of State. As Secretary, he is focused on three major principles: modernization, innovation, and transparency. With an understanding of the office as a technology company, he has spearheaded two major projects to overhaul the state's business licensing and elections systems. As an entrepreneur, he understands that time spent navigating red tape and complicated systems means less time invested in your business. Leveraging emerging technologies, he seeks to make Nevada the best place in the country to do business. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this Show: The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all! Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together. The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API. Music by: Ari Dvorin
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