Federal IT modernization has delivered meaningful progress over the past decade, from cloud adoption to stronger cybersecurity and expanded digital services.
However, as Asad Khan, Makpar’s Vice President of Innovation, outlines in a recent OrangeSlices AI guest article, the next phase of transformation will not be about adding more tools. It will be about consolidating what already exists.
Across government, agencies continue to operate fragmented identity systems, network environments, and policy frameworks that drive higher costs, operational friction, and increased risk. At the same time, leaders are under pressure to reduce redundancy, strengthen security, and improve service delivery.
Initiatives like GSA’s OneGov Strategy and findings from the GAO, which estimate more than $100 billion in potential savings from IT consolidation, reinforce that this is not a future consideration, but a current priority.
From Systems to Foundations
In his article, Asad makes the case that past consolidation efforts have often focused on systems such as applications, networks, and tools, without addressing the underlying data those systems are meant to manage. That approach falls short.
To succeed in today’s environment, agencies must shift toward building a unified operational foundation that includes trusted data flows, authoritative sources of truth, and consistent identity-driven access. This foundation is what enables secure service delivery, supports Zero Trust, and allows AI and advanced analytics to operate effectively at scale.
Identity as the Starting Point
A key theme in the article is the role of enterprise identity as the starting point for consolidation. Identity governs access to systems, data, and services, yet many agencies still manage it in silos. This creates inefficiencies, limits visibility, and increases risk.
By establishing a shared identity layer, agencies can centralize provisioning, standardize access policies, and improve collaboration across mission areas. More importantly, they create a scalable foundation for Zero Trust and future digital initiatives.
Network Consolidation and Operational Efficiency
The article also highlights the importance of consolidating network operations. Fragmented architectures and legacy security models continue to drive unnecessary cost and complexity, even in cloud environments.
A unified, Zero Trust-aligned approach reduces duplication, improves security consistency, and enables the standardized connectivity and data flows required for AI and advanced analytics. This is not just an infrastructure upgrade. It is a prerequisite for modern, mission-ready operations.
The Strategic Payoff
Enterprise consolidation delivers more than cost savings. As Asad outlines, it enables stronger security through centralized visibility and policy enforcement, improves operational agility by accelerating onboarding and deployment, and creates a foundation that can evolve with mission needs.
Agencies that move forward with consolidation will be better positioned to reduce risk, improve resilience, and deliver secure, efficient services at scale.
For a deeper look at how enterprise consolidation is shaping the next phase of federal IT transformation, read Asad’s full OrangeSlices AI article. If your agency is exploring consolidation or strengthening identity and infrastructure foundations, contact Makpar to learn how we can help.
