Successful federal modernization requires an artful blend of people, process, and technology—with a relentless focus on enabling business transformation. A “digital playbook” can provide a comprehensive guide to the process, describing both overarching strategy and tactical approaches. Using a templatized technology strategy can boost mission outcomes while humanizing data-driven modernization and leveraging artificial intell...

The whirlwind of artificial intelligence tools in 2023 proved the government is eager to embrace the technology as soon as possible. An overwhelming 99% of agency leaders agree investing in safe and effective AI is essential to fulfilling their mission, according to a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of ICF. Despite being rich in data, many agencies are lagging in the data modernization needed to support AI – and c...

The cat-and-mouse game between threat actors and cybersecurity professionals continued unabated in 2023, with new threats designed to avoid detection. Many of these threats are new takes on old ones, such as “leveling up” invoice fraud. And ransomware attacks are evolving; rather than encrypting victims’ data, they are straightforwardly stealing the information and extorting payment by threatening to post the info online or t...

For government agencies, case management – delivering services to people and businesses – is the heart of their mission. In almost all cases, however, case management systems have gotten more complicated, more difficult to manage, and more expensive. Agencies today depend on legacy, siloed systems that have changed through kludges, “an ill-assorted collection of parts assembled to fulfill a particular purpose.” Rip-and-...

Federal agencies take seriously the cybersecurity of their IT systems. They must observe numerous federal policies and programs, from Executive Order 14028 on down. Many agencies are far less aware of the need to strengthen the security of their operations technology (OT), the equipment that runs many kinds of systems, including healthcare. Historically, that was less of an issue since most OT systems were closed and standalone. But the intern...

The technology revolution that has reshaped consumer markets has now arrived at the state level. Case in point: the State of Ohio, where state, local and educational organizations are moving quickly to integrate innovative technologies that can drive better decision-making while lowering the cost of ownership for IT systems. Incorporating new technologies also creates opportunities to reimagine the future workforce, for both the public and pr...

The spread of 5G – fifth-generation mobile communications – across all levels of government is being accelerated by its usefulness in high-speed data transmissions and flexibility in customizing network applications. And the range of applications by government agencies made possible by 5G may only be limited by one’s imagination. Some of the innovations supported by this wireless standard were born out of necessity – at...

Government IT is faced with constantly evolving mission demands, limited resources, stringent compliance requirements, and always increasing customer expectations. Agencies increasingly recognize the importance of implementing scalable and secure cloud strategies to meet these challenges.Many agencies’ IT departments are learning that when teams are provided access to a configurable, no code/low code application platform, initiatives can...

Modern security threats are evolving at a faster pace than security technologies, while well-funded threat actors are investing in tools like machine learning (ML), automation, and artificial intelligence (AI). Legacy security operations centers – SOCs – are not equipped with the tools to respond to this rapidly evolving landscape, even as the volume of traffic and data grow exponentially. These challenges also come as many agencie...

As artificial intelligence (AI) applications proliferate across the internet ecosystem, other changes are being triggered, from the commitment to R&D funding to workforce development to new initiatives in higher education. The federal government’s spending on IT R&D and AI in fiscal year 2023 is estimated at $9.6 billion. Meanwhile, the University of Florida, for instance, declares it is “building an AI university,” a...