Study Shows How Leaner Teams Are Separating Adapting Agencies From Those Falling Behind
Carahsoft Technology Corp., The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider®, today announced a study conducted by Forrester Consulting and sponsored by Broadcom Inc. that explores how agencies are adapting their cybersecurity strategies. Following the establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in early 2025, U.S. Government agencies are operating with tighter budgets and leaner teams.
The study, “Smarter Security for Leaner Budgets and Teams: The Tech Transforming U.S. Government Operations,” finds that agencies are using this moment to modernize and operate more efficiently. Rather than trying to do more with less, agencies are narrowing their focus, prioritizing critical infrastructure and the most vulnerable areas of their environments.
At the same time, the shift is introducing new pressures. The study found that 86% of Public Sector cybersecurity decision-makers expect the number of potential breaches or compromises to rise in the coming year, while 73% report concerns about cyber incidents under current resource constraints. Only 38% express confidence in their agency’s cybersecurity posture following headcount reductions.
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“Government agencies are navigating an unprecedented mandate to modernize under strict resource constraints,” said Jason Rolleston, Vice President and General Manager of the Enterprise Security Group at Broadcom. “By eliminating tool sprawl and embracing AI-driven automation, agencies can actually improve their security posture while operating leaner. Together with Carahsoft, Broadcom is proud to deliver the streamlined, mission-critical security platforms that make this transformation possible.”
“This research highlights a meaningful shift in how agencies are approaching cybersecurity,” said Brian Snell, Director for the Broadcom Software Business at Carahsoft. “As agencies operate with tighter resources, they are becoming more deliberate in how they prioritize risk and apply technology to support mission-critical objectives. Together with Broadcom and our reseller partners, we are helping agencies translate these priorities into practical solutions that strengthen their cybersecurity posture, improve operational efficiency and continue protecting the citizens and services they support.”
What Sets Agencies Apart
As agencies adapt to a leaner operating environment, the study shows a clear pattern among those making the most progress. Leading agencies:
- Prioritize critical infrastructure and AI integration, with 71% focused on securing infrastructure and 60% prioritizing integrating AI and cybersecurity capabilities.
- Concentrate resources on highest-risk areas, including network security, data protection and incident response (identified by 70%, 56% and 47% of respondents, respectively, as the most vulnerable areas).
- Simplify security operations by reducing tool sprawl and moving toward more integrated approaches that improve visibility and decision-making.
- Expand the use of automation to reduce manual workloads and improve response times, with more than half of respondents prioritizing automation for incident response and network security.
- Strengthen collaboration and communication, with a majority of respondents pointing to cross-functional alignment and leadership transparency as key to improving outcomes.
Together, these shifts reflect a more focused and resilient approach to cybersecurity, designed to operate effectively even as resources remain constrained.
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