Fed Gov Today Legacy Code, Missing Plans, and the AI Surge Shaking Federal IT
Jul 27, 2025
Join Kevin Walsh, the Director of IT and Cybersecurity at GAO, and Jonathan Albums, the Federal CTO at ServiceNow, as they tackle the challenges of modernizing outdated IT systems in the federal government. They discuss the urgent need for clear modernization plans to enhance efficiency and cybersecurity. The duo dives into establishing governance for AI within federal agencies, emphasizing the importance of employee empowerment and stakeholder engagement. They also address innovative strategies for combating government fraud and improving identity verification processes. Tune in for insights that could reshape federal IT!
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Persistent Legacy Modernization Challenges
- Legacy system modernization is a persistent, long-term challenge in government.
- Systems often operate on unsupported hardware/software, increasing risk and maintenance costs.
Congress Should Mandate Modernization Plans
- Congress should require agencies to have modernization plans for critical legacy systems.
- This requirement can drive more agency action to overcome long-standing modernization delays.
Legacy Systems' Cyber Vulnerabilities
- Many legacy systems use outdated programming languages and have known security vulnerabilities.
- Skilled personnel are retiring, creating maintenance and cybersecurity risks for these aging systems.