2024 has been a pivotal year for innovation, as new technologies and policies impacted the Federal government and key agencies. Some innovations came from familiar solutions, such as FedRAMP authorization efforts to secure multi-cloud environments, and through the CMMC program enacted by the DOD to secure the nation’s defense industrial base. Cybersecurity remained a top priority across civilian and defense agencies, as zero trust and identity access management aided in securing digital transformation efforts.
However, 2024 was not limited to new developments in old solutions—AI innovations dominated conversations throughout the year, through new Executive Orders and agency decisions on how to balance automation with responsibility. Data became paramount through open-source intelligence (OSINT) efforts, along with an examination of how agencies could use data to streamline their approach to digital transformation.
Throughout the year, Carahsoft and Nextgov/FCW shone a spotlight on the success stories from industry thought leaders and government agencies. This compendium is a culmination of all the success and strategies shared in 2024, and a peek into what may lie ahead in 2025 for the future of innovation in government.