Edge solutions are especially valuable where real-time decision-making is critical, and quick response times with low latency are needed. Another essential edge capability is compensating for poor or unreliable network connectivity, where systems need the ability to operate independently or off the grid. Likewise, edge computing can be the right solution when too much data is being generated, such as video surveillance, to transmit effectively to a centralized site. Finally, security or compliance concerns dictate that data should be kept and processed locally in some instances.

Edge solutions have three primary components:

Supporting applications requiring low latency is one of edge computing’s principal value propositions. For example, processing at the edge can eliminate lag in virtual reality systems operating in the field, such as those used by deployed troops or remote workers. Likewise, edge solutions can also operate autonomously in environments with poor or unreliable network connectivity to enterprise systems, such as an offshore windfarm.

Another critical benefit of edge computing is enabling more intelligent data sharing – for example, uploading only unique data – to reduce networking and storage requirements and costs (and analyst fatigue). At the same time, this approach can improve security and compliance by limiting the amount of data that is collected and transmitted across the network.

Edge solutions build on cloud capabilities, providing a common control plane for both centralized and distributed computing. They are the next step on a connected continuum that will allow powerful data processing capabilities from the core to the edge – within the IT perimeter and in the field.

While many federal agencies are still in the exploratory stages when it comes to edge solutions, others have seen this moment of opportunity and have begun using edge solutions to enhance key aspects of the mission.

Accenture found that the top agency use cases for edge solutions right now include:

For federal agencies looking to embrace edge computing, there are potential hurdles. Accenture’s research found that agencies’ top obstacles to increasing adoption of edge solutions are:

• Cyber/OT security: 54%
• Operational challenges: 45%
• Privacy concerns: 37%
• Policies and standards: 36%
• Knowledgeable people: 36%

Edge solutions raise cybersecurity and privacy concerns because mission-critical data may be generated and analyzed outside the traditional IT perimeter. Nearly 9 in 10 federal technology leaders believe that by bringing data storage and processing closer to the end-user, edge solutions will increase security vulnerabilities for their agency.

More broadly, the emergence of edge computing is another element in the continued convergence of operational technologies (OT) security, such as those safeguarding industrial control systems, with traditional IT security systems. A recent National Security Agency (NSA) alert highlighted the risk from “…stagnant OT assets and control systems installed and used throughout the USG and DIB, many of which are past end-of-life and operated without sufficient resources.” According to the agency, “…system administrators should ensure only the most imperative IT-OT connections are allowed, and that these are hardened to the greatest extent possible.”

In this context, it is important to remember that edge solutions can actually reduce and consolidate the number of independent endpoints interfacing with core computing resources, limiting the amount of data traversing the network and ultimately allowing for more responsible data management. At the same time, the use of common control planes and security controls across both cloud and edge computing can work to standardize the security posture throughout the entire environment.

Edge computing systems should be managed with the same care and rigor as any information management system. By taking effective approaches, a potential liability can be turned into a building block for a zero-trust architecture providing in-depth defense.

Agencies should carefully plan their edge computing strategy early in their efforts to better ensure success down the line. Even as agencies build out their small-scale proofs-of-concept, they can be putting in place the building blocks for long-term larger-scale implementations.

Agencies can take a few key steps to develop a platform-based approach and avoid future issues:

Look for areas where data can be enriched with added context or where systems could potentially operate with greater autonomy and intelligence.

The impetus for edge deployments should position mission owners in equal partnership with IT: Mission owners can help to determine the potential mission and operational benefits for processing outside the perimeter. Business line owners will typically be best situated to understand how emerging edge solutions can be leveraged to drive more effective outcomes, whether in support of the citizen, the soldier, or the front-line federal worker.

Discovery and facilitation models associated with human-centered design (HCD) can be used to uncover these unmet needs and to build consensus and prioritization for potential solutions.

High-speed, low latency networking, such as that offered by 5G, is critical to edge computing. According to our research, 98% of federal executives agreed that “widespread 5G network coverage will increase my agency’s ability to integrate edge solutions into operations.”

5G networks encompass a host of technologies that are generally designed to work together but with each offering unique strengths and drawbacks. A careful assessment is often needed to optimize the performance of a proposed solution for the strengths of a specific network. Likewise, a similar review can be used to identify untapped capabilities within an existing 5G network that can be unleashed to support new, transformative services, such as in a Smart City model.

We also shouldn’t limit our thinking to just 5G for our edge network as several complementary technologies may have a role to play. For example, WiFi 6's bandwidth and latency performance are similar to 5G, with the added advantage of providing strong coverage of enclosed spaces like warehouses. Other technologies like LoRaWAN are differentiated by their low power consumption, which is especially important for remote implementations, such as pipeline sensors, where you may only want to change the battery every 10-to-15 years. And for genuinely remote locations, satellite connectivity, such as Starlink or Iridium, may be needed to cover the gaps in existing 5G and LTE footprints.

For these reasons, federal agencies need a comprehensive 5G+ network strategy that selects and seamlessly integrates 5G and other heterogeneous technologies, optimizing them to the use case requirements. Ideally, you will operate smoothly across all of these wireless technologies by taking advantage of communications gateways that dynamically mix & match protocols based on changing environmental conditions. Likewise, it is also important to work closely with telecommunications providers as they expand their 5G networks and make their spectrum available for private network deployments.

Edge solutions build upon a number of core cloud computing concepts, such as serverless architectures, application containers, and microservices, deployed in a localized environment. Taking advantage of this more modular, “plug & play” interoperability can make it simpler and faster to develop mission or agency-specific edge solutions using a platform-based approach. It also creates a more extensible architecture that can be easier to maintain in the long run.

So even as agencies build out small-scale proofs-of-concept, they should be putting in place the components for long-term, larger-scale implementations. This means federal agencies should consider edge computing as an extension of their existing enterprise architecture and develop standards accordingly.

Gartner predicts that through 2022, "a lack of standards or broadly accepted architectures for edge computing will ensure that over 85% of enterprises will deploy multiple, incompatible technology stacks."² A platform-based approach to edge will help agencies to sidestep this potential pitfall.

Edge solutions require many technologies and services to operate effectively in the field. Fortunately, a growing number of technology vendors are investing significantly in their offerings to support and advance edge computing.

To take advantage of this innovation, federal agencies will need to create their own edge ecosystem. These strategic partners may include network equipment providers, telcos, hyperscalers, specialized software companies, and traditional compute providers.

The challenge for many agencies will be integrating these innovations, as they stem from many disparate fields, in both individual solutions and a sustainable architecture. This makes the role of a system integrator, like Accenture, critical to the program’s success.

In fact, when asked whether their agencies would solicit support from industry to assist with edge solutions in the coming year, 98 percent of federal technology leaders agreed.

The value proposition and imperative for edge computing are clear – making data more valuable and actionable at the point of use while making systems more intelligent and autonomous. Given the need for many of its missions to operate outside of the traditional network boundary, government is particularly well-positioned to benefit from edge computing.

Federal agencies can embrace a platform-based approach to edge computing by building upon existing cloud architectures and taking advantage of commercial innovations. This approach simplifies the process of developing specific solutions while ensuring the overall architecture is sustainable, scalable, extensible, and secure. It also enables a more agile adoption model, including integration of future advancements as they become available.

The promise is real: Edge will empower agencies to reimagine mission execution by extending compute resources and emerging tools such as AI and machine learning from the cloud and large data centers to the edge, increasing the availability and quality of data collection, and leveraging enhanced network reliability and bandwidth in the most mission-critical situations.

¹ (Reinsel, Rydning, & Gantz, Worldwide Global DataSphere Forecast, 2021–2025: The World Keeps Creating More Data — Now, What Do We Do with It All?, 2021)

² (Gill, 2021 Strategic Roadmap for Edge Computing, 2020)