Building the network foundation for secure, modern government services

The federal government is being pushed to rethink its IT strategies as rapid technological change collides with rising operational demands.

Cybersecurity threats are intensifying, cloud environments are expanding and AI-driven tools are dramatically altering how work gets done, all while leaders face ongoing staffing and budget constraints. To keep pace, the federal government must deliver secure, resilient services that support distributed workforces and enable faster, data-informed decision-making.

Emergency preparedness and disaster responsiveness represent another vital piece of the government’s technology challenge. Readiness requires that networks remain operational under the most challenging conditions, ensuring public safety and continuity of services for constituents and staff. Notably, more than 60% of federal government IT decision-makers say legacy systems are holding back technological modernization at their agency.¹

Mission demands are reshaping government IT

Meeting today’s demands requires federal government leaders to prioritize strong digital infrastructure that offers secure connectivity, network reliability and operational stability across locations, data centers and cloud platforms. This foundation supports evolving architectures while adhering to federal security and resilience standards. Agencies can sustain mission-critical services, improve performance across distributed environments and maintain compliance in dynamic operating conditions.

Key technology developments are also helping shape government IT, emphasizing the importance of resilient connectivity and dependable network operations. High-capacity fiber connections, software-defined wide area networks (SD-WANs) and modern routing architectures support AI workloads, cloud adoption and data-intensive applications while remaining agile during emergencies.

80% of federal IT spending goes to operations and maintenance of existing systems.²

Escalating cybersecurity risks require resilient infrastructure

Improving cybersecurity remains the top priority for government leaders as threats grow more sophisticated.³ Government entities face an expanding attack surface as cloud adoption rises, AI-enabled tools evolve and threat actors become more adaptive. Budget and staffing constraints further complicate response efforts, highlighting the need for resilient infrastructure that ensures continuous, secure operations. Almost 70% of federal government IT decision-makers say legacy systems pose a security risk to their agency.⁴

$1.55M

The average ransom demanded from government agencies during ransomware attacks in 2025.⁵

Public sector entities are seeking ways to strengthen security operations. Areas of focus include reducing vulnerabilities and system disruptions, improving the speed and accuracy of threat detection and extending limited internal security resources and expertise. It’s easy to see why. The average cost of a data breach in the public sector was $2.86 million as of 2025.⁶

78% of federal government IT decision-makers are concerned with AI cybersecurity threats evolving faster than their agency can keep up with.⁷

Managed or co-managed models can play a foundational role in supporting these security goals, providing operational oversight while supplementing in-house expertise. Secure and resilient connectivity enables reliable system access while high-performance network infrastructure supports identity and access control. Continuous network monitoring aids operational visibility, ensuring government departments can respond quickly to incidents. Reliable connectivity and continuity help these teams maintain secure, audit-ready environments 24/7. This is critical for emergency response, disaster preparedness and rapid coordination across departments.

In 2025, 87% of organizations reported AI-related vulnerabilities as the fastest-growing cyber risk, underscoring the need for comprehensive network monitoring and resilience measures.⁸ Meanwhile, 67% of federal government IT decision-makers say they are concerned that their agency lacks the necessary talent to implement emerging technologies effectively.⁹

AI and data-intensive workloads depend on high-capacity connectivity

Federal departments are rapidly expanding their use of AI, automation and advanced analytics to strengthen outcomes across mission areas such as public safety, transportation systems, infrastructure monitoring, digital services and constituent engagement. Nearly 80% of public sector decision-makers planned to increase predictive AI investment and 88% expected to boost GenAI investment in 2026.¹⁰

83% of federal agencies report that their data isn’t AI-ready.¹¹

As these capabilities mature, they place growing demands on underlying systems to process and move vast amounts of data in real time. This shift supports more seamless interagency collaboration, enables operations to span multiple locations and allows decision-making to become more automated and data-driven.

Top public sector departments using GenAI:¹²

66% – IT operations

62% – Customer care

54% – Software development

Meeting these demands requires the federal government to invest in modern connectivity that can support evolving workloads. High-capacity fiber networks, paired with SD-WAN architectures and reliable internet access, provide the foundation to sustain performance across distributed environments. This approach not only supports continuous operations and more responsive services but also helps government IT transition away from legacy infrastructure. Teams can reduce long-term costs while eliminating the bottlenecks that can hinder real-time analytics, AI applications and large-scale data sharing.

73% of federal agencies cite infrastructure and integration hurdles as standing in the way of scaling AI.¹³

By 2025, 43% of public sector employees reported using AI tools at least occasionally, with 21% using AI daily or multiple times per week.¹⁴ Additionally, federal tracking shows that AI use cases across agencies increased from 571 in 2023 to 1,110 by 2024, a notable advance beyond pilot projects.¹⁵

High-capacity, resilient networks are essential for emergency responsiveness as well. Public safety departments, emergency management teams and transportation authorities rely on AI-driven analytics and real-time data sharing to coordinate disaster response, monitor infrastructure integrity and alert communities during crises.

Cloud expansion drives demand for reliable, scalable networks

Government agencies are accelerating cloud adoption to support the growing demands of digital service delivery. The US federal government approved 114 cloud services in fiscal year 2025, more than double the previous year’s total.¹⁶ Successfully implemented, the cloud enables mobile workforces, remote collaboration, constituent-facing portals and shared data environments across teams and departments. Hybrid and cloud-based architectures introduce new connectivity requirements, including reliable links among offices, data centers and cloud environments; consistent application performance; and interoperability between platforms and systems.

Reliable network infrastructure helps ensure cloud services remain resilient, scalable and operationally predictable. To achieve these outcomes in increasingly complex hybrid environments, government IT leaders are strengthening their connectivity pathways to improve uptime for critical applications, enable secure collaboration and data access, and simplify technology environments to reduce maintenance burdens and expenses.

Cloud resiliency also plays a critical role in emergency preparedness. Scalable cloud infrastructure, coupled with high-performance connectivity, ensures that emergency alerts, disaster response coordination tools and interagency data platforms remain accessible during outages or crises. Reliable networks underpin alert systems, field communications and data dissemination, enabling a rapid, coordinated response during natural disasters, public health events or security incidents.

IT workforce constraints increase reliance on managed services

Shortages remain a persistent challenge for IT teams, as agencies contend with limited availability of specialized technical skills, increasing operational demands on internal teams and the need to modernize aging systems. IT is often overextended, managing legacy platforms while addressing cybersecurity, cloud migration, AI integration and emergency response requirements.

More than ever, government leaders are exploring external support. Managed or co-managed services can help by providing expanded technical expertise, continuous monitoring and ongoing assistance that includes maintenance and upgrades. These approaches help government IT teams improve network performance and reliability, maintain 24/7 operational continuity, reduce pressure on internal IT staff and support more predictable budgeting and long-term IT planning. With the support in place, internal teams can focus on modernization initiatives that enhance services for staff and constituents.

Managed services also contribute to disaster preparedness and emergency response, ensuring networks remain functional when internal resources are focused on critical incident management or field operations.

Spectrum Business® supports federal agency modernization

Reliable infrastructure and operational support are essential as federal entities respond to rising cybersecurity demands, expanding cloud environments, AI-driven workloads and workforce constraints. Spectrum Business, a Charter Communications brand, provides the connectivity foundation and dependability the federal government needs to support secure, compliant federal architectures. These capabilities align with government mission requirements for availability, resilience and performance across distributed environments.

Internet connectivity

High-capacity, reliable internet connectivity supports secure access to cloud platforms, applications and interagency systems. With solutions from Spectrum Business, the federal government can maintain consistent uptime for digital services, constituent-facing platforms and internal operations. At the same time, scalable bandwidth makes it easier to handle data-intensive workloads, including analytics, automation and AI initiatives, while adapting to evolving demands.

Network infrastructure

Advanced network capabilities connect government offices, data centers, field operations and cloud environments through resilient, high-performance transport. SD-WAN and modern routing architectures support distributed federal operations and seamless multi-site collaboration. Spectrum Business positions government entities to benefit from steady, high-performing connectivity that simplifies network management and aligns with evolving federal IT frameworks.

Managed services

Federal departments can rely on managed and co-managed support to sustain network performance while easing pressure on their internal teams. Through continuous monitoring, proactive troubleshooting and 100% US-based support, available 24/7, Spectrum Business enables federal IT staff to stay focused on modernization priorities. Our services also help decision-makers avoid the large capital expenditures often associated with moving away from legacy systems.

Security support capabilities

Connectivity and network-level protections help strengthen access control, maintain visibility across network traffic and support resilient operations. With infrastructure backed by Spectrum Business, government IT can better support identity-based access frameworks and segmented environments. Continuous monitoring contributes to stable, secure digital environments while helping government departments meet compliance requirements and maintain operations during emergencies.

Voice and collaboration

Integrated voice and collaboration tools enable secure communication across agencies, departments and remote teams. Spectrum Business supports a dependable communications infrastructure that powers both day-to-day coordination and mission-critical response efforts. Modern collaboration tools, including AI-enabled features, help government leaders maintain productivity across distributed workforces.

TV services

Reliable TV services help government facilities deliver informative and engaging viewing experiences for employees and visitors. Our offerings enable federal government teams to access more than 200 channels spanning news, entertainment and sports, along with optional sports, international news and music packages. Flexible delivery platforms and customizable bundles from Spectrum Business make it easy to align services with facility needs and budget considerations.

Strengthen your government network with Spectrum Business

Spectrum Business supports the network modernization agencies need to meet evolving mission demands. From high-capacity connectivity and secure networking to managed services and operational support, Spectrum Business provides the foundation for resilient, scalable and secure government IT. The federal government can achieve higher performance, operational stability and disaster readiness while enabling staff to focus on modernization goals that improve services for staff and constituents.

Learn more

1. “EY GPS 2025 Federal Trends Report,” EY, 2025.
2. “Agencies Need to Plan for Modernizing Critical Decades-Old Legacy Systems,” U.S. Government Accountability Office, July 2025.
3. “EY GPS 2025 Federal Trends Report.”
4. Ibid.
5. Rebecca Moody, “Worldwide Ransomware Roundup: 2025 End-of-Year Report,” Comparitech, January 13, 2026.
6. “Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025: The AI Oversight Gap,” Ponemon Institute and IBM Security, July 2025.
7. “EY GPS 2025 Federal Trends Report.”
8. “Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026,” World Economic Forum, January 12, 2026.
9. “EY GPS 2025 Federal Trends Report.”
10. Sam Higgins, Devin Dickerson and Rowan Curran, “Pilots, Promises, and Public Purpose: How to Say ‘Yes’ (or ‘No’) to Government AI Offers,” Forrester, November 9, 2025.
11. “The AI Advantage: Moving From Exploration to Impact,” ICF, 2025.
12. Higgins, Dickerson and Curran, “Pilots, Promises, and Public Purpose.”
13. “The AI Advantage.”
14. Christos Makridis, “AI Adoption Rapidly Growing in Public Sector,” Gallup, March 11, 2026.
15. “Artificial Intelligence: Generative AI Use and Management at Federal Agencies,” U.S. Government Accountability Office, June 29, 2025.
16. Craig Hale, “The US Government Is Signing a Whole Load of Cloud Computing Contracts — So What’s The Rush?” TechRadar, August 12, 2025.