Automation Partnership Targets Legacy Systems, Bolsters Government’s Zero Trust Push

By Stephanie Lewis, *Strategic Defense & Space Technology*

Washington D.C. – In a move to accelerate digital transformation within the public sector, Itential, a cloud-native network and infrastructure orchestration provider, has partnered with Carahsoft Technology Corp., a leading government IT solutions provider. The agreement, announced November 5th, will leverage Carahsoft’s extensive contract vehicles – including SEWP V, ITES-SW2, NASPO ValuePoint and OMNIA Partners – to deliver Itential’s automation platform to federal, state, and local agencies.

While the partnership is framed as a simple distribution agreement, it arrives at a critical juncture for government IT. Agencies are grappling with aging infrastructure, mounting cybersecurity threats, and the complex demands of cloud migration. “The sheer volume of technical debt within the public sector is staggering,” says an anonymous source within the Department of Defense’s IT modernization office. “Automating routine tasks and streamlining workflows is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity.”

Addressing the Legacy System Challenge

According to a recent Deloitte report, federal IT modernization efforts are hampered by a lack of interoperability, outdated systems, and a shortage of skilled personnel. Many agencies rely on decades-old infrastructure that is costly to maintain and vulnerable to attack. Itential’s platform aims to address these challenges by providing a unified orchestration layer that simplifies network and infrastructure management across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

“The key is to move away from manual, error-prone processes and embrace automation,” explains a source familiar with Itential’s technology. “This allows agencies to respond more quickly to changing requirements, improve efficiency, and reduce operational costs.” The platform’s API-driven architecture and support for open-source tools enable seamless integration with existing systems, minimizing disruption and maximizing value.

Zero Trust in Action
The partnership also aligns with the Biden Administration’s Zero Trust strategy, which mandates a shift towards a more robust and proactive security posture. Zero Trust principles emphasize the need for continuous verification, least-privilege access, and micro-segmentation. Automation plays a crucial role in enforcing these principles at scale.

“You can’t achieve true Zero Trust without automation,” says a cybersecurity expert who consulted on the White House’s Zero Trust roadmap. “Continuously monitoring network traffic, enforcing security policies, and responding to threats requires a level of speed and precision that is simply impossible to achieve manually.” Itential’s platform enables agencies to automate these critical security functions, reducing the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks. By dynamically adjusting network configurations and enforcing granular access controls, the platform helps agencies create a more resilient and secure infrastructure.

Composable Infrastructure and the Future of Government IT

Beyond addressing immediate challenges, the Itential-Carahsoft partnership signals a broader shift towards composable infrastructure within the public sector. Composable infrastructure is a flexible and agile approach to IT that allows agencies to quickly assemble and reconfigure resources to meet changing demands. This requires a high degree of automation and orchestration.

“Composable infrastructure is all about breaking down silos and creating a more dynamic and responsive IT environment,” explains an industry analyst specializing in government IT. “Automation is the glue that holds it all together.”

Itential’s platform, with its cloud-native architecture and support for open-source tools, is well-positioned to enable this shift. By providing a unified orchestration layer, the platform simplifies the management of complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments, allowing agencies to quickly adapt to changing mission requirements.

Carahsoft’s Role and Market Dynamics

Carahsoft’s involvement is crucial to the success of this partnership. The company has a long track record of bringing innovative technologies to the public sector. “Carahsoft has a deep understanding of the government IT landscape and a strong network of relationships,” says an anonymous source within the company. “We are confident that we can help Itential reach a wider audience and deliver its value to agencies across the country.”

Competition in the network automation market is fierce, with established players like Cisco, Juniper Networks, and VMware vying for market share. However, Itential differentiates itself with its focus on cloud-native technologies and open-source integration. “Itential’s platform is more flexible and agile than many of the traditional solutions,” says an industry analyst. “This is a significant advantage in a rapidly evolving IT landscape.”

Strategic Implications and Outlook
The Itential-Carahsoft partnership is a strategic win for both companies and a positive development for the public sector. By combining Itential’s innovative technology with Carahsoft’s market reach and government expertise, the partnership is poised to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity posture.

As government agencies continue to grapple with aging infrastructure, mounting threats, and the demands of cloud migration, the need for automation will only become more critical. Itential and Carahsoft are well-positioned to capitalize on this growing demand and help agencies build a more resilient, secure, and efficient IT infrastructure. The success of this partnership will depend on their ability to demonstrate clear value to agencies and navigate the complex procurement processes of the public sector. However, the initial signs are promising, and the potential for impact is significant.