FALLS CHURCH, Va. – A new research study released by General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) finds that edge adoption across federal agencies hinges on cybersecurity. As missions move closer to the edge – from battlefield environments, intelligence gathering and emergency response to public health and transportation – agency leaders are focusing future investments on securing these environments.

The research study, Edge Factor, acquired insights from 200 federal technology leaders across defense, civilian and intelligence agencies. The report explores agencies’ edge priorities and investments, what’s holding edge deployments back, and how they can accelerate adoption with mission impact in mind. Key findings include:

• 52% identified advanced cybersecurity – including encryption, monitoring and hardening – as a top investment priority over the next three to five years, followed closely by 49% prioritizing zero trust adoption.
• Agencies cite real-time decision making (49%) as a top driver behind accelerating edge adoption – reflecting a need to move decision-making closer to sensors and other information sources.
• Artificial Intelligence at the edge is rapidly gaining traction with investments expected to grow from 21% today to 43% in the next three to five years.
• 78% struggle with integrating legacy and emerging technologies, making it harder for agencies to operate at the edge at the pace they need.
• 68% report workforce readiness as a major hurdle – highlighting the need for more training, expertise and engagement with private sector.

“Edge computing is transforming how missions are executed, but its potential depends on security,” said Ben Gianni, GDIT senior vice president and chief technology officer. “Agencies need to secure the edge to operate faster in more dynamic environments. The agencies that get this right will be positioned to lead in the next era of mission operations.”

GDIT is a business unit of General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 110,000 people worldwide and generated $47.7 billion in revenue in 2024. More information about General Dynamics Information Technology is available at www.gdit.com. More information about General Dynamics is available at www.gd.com.

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Oliver Nutt
Oliver.Nutt@gdit.com