Paul Wilkinson, Senior Vice President who leads Leidos’ Digital Modernization practice, outlined a comprehensive strategy for integrated digital modernization (DIGMOD), emphasizing its critical role in building resilient and secure mission outcomes across the federal and commercial landscapes.
Wilkinson recently detailed how the company established its specialized digital modernization sector in early 2024 to consolidate capabilities across four pillars: cloud, cyber, artificial intelligence (AI), and enterprise IT. This integrated approach allows Leidos to unify efforts and deliver scalable, repeatable solutions tailored precisely to client missions, with security fundamentally embedded in every step.
Orchestrating Innovation for Mission Outcomes
Wilkinson describes the practice area as the “orchestrator of innovation.” The company’s horizontal structure empowers it to seamlessly integrate advanced digital capabilities across diverse government agencies, directly addressing common modernization challenges.
Leidos purposefully begins every initiative by deeply understanding a customer’s specific mission and desired outcomes. Leveraging collaboration across internal teams, they design solutions that cohesively unite cloud-native architectures, zero trust security, and sophisticated data-sharing frameworks. Furthermore, the company commits to enhancing user experience through a human-centered design approach, ensuring that new technologies are not just effective, but intuitive for the warfighter and civil servant alike.
Partnerships and Talent Drive Acceleration
To deliver cutting-edge technology faster, Leidos actively builds strategic partnerships with leading commercial technology providers, including hyperscalers and emerging firms like Second Front Systems. This collaboration accelerates deployment, allowing government agencies to adopt secure solutions rapidly. For instance, using platforms such as Game Warden helps government organizations achieve Authority to Operate (ATO) in weeks or months, rather than enduring a multi-year process.
Wilkinson stressed that success ultimately depends on the workforce. Talent development remains central to sustaining digital resilience. The company promotes a dynamic community of practice model, fostering continuous upskilling and “intentional internal mobility.” This initiative not only improves employee retention and engagement but also positions Leidos as a prime destination for technical experts committed to national security missions.
The Path Forward: Cybersecurity and Adaptability
As global threats evolve, Wilkinson urged government and industry leaders to focus proactive digital transformation centered on two core pillars: cybersecurity and adaptability. He underscored the non-negotiable importance of embedding Zero Trust protocols across all systems and ensuring that AI adoption remains transparent, trusted, and fully mission-aligned.
A Note to Our Readers: Your Digital Success
The path to true digital resilience requires more than just buying new technology; it demands a strategic shift in culture and architecture.
Tips for Success in Digital Modernization:
- Prioritize the Mission First: Always begin your digital modernization roadmap by defining clear mission outcomes, not by selecting a specific tool. The technology must serve the objective.
- Make Security a Foundation, Not an Add-on: Do not bolt security onto your systems later. Adopt a Zero Trust architecture from the initial design phase, ensuring robust protection is inherent in your cloud and network environments.
- Invest in Your People: Wilkinson is right—without the right talent, digital success stalls. Implement programs for continuous training and internal mobility. Empower your technical teams to innovate and lead the change.
- Embrace Partnership Agility: Leverage commercial innovation by partnering strategically with cutting-edge tech firms. Use accelerated deployment vehicles (like Game Warden) to bring capability to the field quickly and securely.
Stay engaged and keep modernizing!
