Public Sector Pulse

My Public Sector Colleagues, 

CY25 is almost in the books, and as we wrap up, it's clear CY26 is going to be a disruptive year for our sector. Over the holidays, I encourage you to take time to be with friends and family. Relax, reflect, and recharge for an eventful CY26.

We're already seeing signs of what's ahead. The longest government shutdown on record has only been paused with a Continuing Resolution that runs until January 30. Meanwhile, elections in NY, NJ, and VA have concluded, ushering in new leadership and shifting priorities. 

Looking Ahead to CY26 Projects

Projects for CY26 will become clearer as executive branch proposed budgets emerge— typically in November and December. These will outline investment priorities for federal, state, and local agencies, guided by both leadership direction and legislative authorizations. 

Some AI Tech Thoughts

Artificial Intelligence (AI):

• The good news: AI technologies continue to accelerate. We're seeing them mature into user-facing tools, real use cases, and integrated system architectures. State CIOs are planning to expand GenAI use cases over the next 12 months. 
• The bad news: Bad actors are leveraging AI to fuel cyberattacks, and there's still a significant trust gap when AI is used in decision-making. 

The journey continues; we'll get there together. 

- Nelson Moe, Director of SLED Strategy, Iron Bow Technologies

Solutions Spotlight

Iron Bow Technologies Wins Big at Cisco Partner Summit 2025

Iron Bow was named Americas Public Sector Partner of the Year at Cisco Partner Summit 2025- an award recognizing partners who deliver exceptional innovation and customer impact across the public sector. 

This award reflects our shared commitment to helping government agencies modernize securely, strengthen resilience, and drive mission outcomes.

Cisco Global Partner Innovation Challenge: Iron Bow Takes Home a Partner for Purpose Award

At the same event, Cisco announced the winners of the 2025 Global Partner Innovation Challenge, featuring over 100 AI-driven submissions worldwide. Iron Bow earned the Crisis Response & Human Needs Award for our new solution SignalPoint—a next-generation emergency response platform that integrates previously disconnected 911, networking, and location services into one seamless workflow. The system can triangulate 911 callers within five meters, helping first responders arrive faster and with greater accuracy.  

Trends to Watch

Emerging Trends in State and Local Education & Government 📈

• AI & Automation
  
  • AI-Native Development Platforms: AI is integrated into the software development lifecycle to accelerate creation, allowing smaller teams to build applications faster.
  • Multiagent Systems: These are collaborative ecosystems of AI agents working together to achieve complex goals, moving beyond single AI models.
  • Physical AI: AI intelligence is migrating into the physical world, powering robots, drones, and other smart equipment. 
  • Hyper Automation: The use of AI and robotics to automate repetitive tasks across businesses is increasing. 

• Computing & Connectivity
  
  • Quantum Computing: This is a major trend with the potential to break computational barriers and has significant implications for industries like medicine.
  • Smart Cities and IoT: The Internet of Things is growing, with advanced sensors and edge AI enabling more sophisticated, real-time capabilities in connected environments and smart cities.
  • Augmented Reality (AR): AR is expected to evolve beyond smartphones into wearable glasses that provide real-time, context-rich information about the user's surroundings. 

• Security & Resilience
  
  • Cybersecurity: Security remains a critical trend, with a focus on preemptive measures, AI-driven cyber-arms races between attackers and defenders, and platforms to manage digital trust and provenance.
  • Confidential Computing: As data is processed in more complex and less trusted environments, there is a growing need to protect data even while it's in use.
  • Integrated Organizational Resilience: Businesses are adopting a more integrated approach to IT risk management to proactively respond to threats and disruptions.

Connect With Us

Contact Your SLED Account Manager 🤝

Email us at SLED@ironbow.com to get in touch with your Account Manager.