How Zero Trust Architecture Drives Cost Efficiency and Modernization in Government

Government agencies are under increasing pressure to modernize IT systems, deliver cost savings, and enhance cybersecurity—all while navigating and maintaining legacy networks that slow operations and strain budgets. Legacy infrastructures, including MPLS circuits and hardware-heavy solutions, are proving to be not only expensive but also ill-suited for cloud-agile missions.

To overcome these challenges, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is emerging as a transformative solution, enabling agencies to reduce costs, improve security, and embrace the digital demands of modern government. Here's how ZTA is helping agencies align with the modernization goals set by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and why it’s a critical step forward.

The High Costs and Risks of Legacy Networks

Traditional network architectures like MPLS and telco-managed security solutions (e.g., MTIPS) are increasingly incompatible with meeting cloud-first missions. This legacy approach to networking impedes workforce productivity with slow, outdated pathways to applications and data. Additionally, legacy solutions expose agencies to cybersecurity risks, most recently the Salt Typhoon attacks, by failing to adequately inspect encrypted traffic or address sophisticated threats.

The financial impact is significant. Agencies are forced to pour resources into maintaining expensive circuits and aging hardware instead of modernizing. Consider the financial impact agencies are currently facing:

• $90 million annually in MPLS circuit costs (and rising).
• $306 million over 12 years for outdated enterprise infrastructure.
• $50 billion over 15 years on traditional government-wide connectivity solutions.

These inefficiencies represent a critical opportunity for transformation. By phasing out obsolete systems, agencies can deliver on their mission goals faster and cheaper, while at the same time bolstering cybersecurity.. Zscaler excels in these areas and is ready to make the Government more secure and more efficient. 

How Zscaler Transforms Government Networks

Zscaler’s zero trust architecture eliminates the need for expensive legacy hardware and private circuits, enabling agencies to transition seamlessly to scalable, cloud-based solutions. A zero trust architecture delivers: 

• Significant Cost Savings: Replace expensive private MPLS circuits with high-speed ISP connections for drastic reductions in IT spend.
• Zero Trust Cybersecurity at Scale: Protect agency data with real-time encrypted traffic inspection that blocks visibility from compromised ISPs and neutralizes emerging threats, while maintaining privacy and control.
• Cloud-Optimized Scalability: Move away from rigid telco-managed hardware and embrace flexible, software-defined solutions that scale with evolving mission needs. Our partnerships with industry leaders like CrowdStrike and Okta further extend security and operational capabilities.

Zscaler’s Zero Trust architecture is already delivering measurable results for government agencies. Here are some highlights:

• 85% reduction in security gaps through advanced threat detection and encrypted traffic inspection.
• 50% faster onboarding, enabling secure access to mission-critical systems in half the time.
• 50% reduction in labor support costs by simplifying operations and decommissioning legacy hardware.
• Increased workforce productivity through enhanced connectivity with faster, more reliable network performance.
• Savings of $306 million over 12 years by implementing scalable zero trust solutions.
• Tens of millions saved annually by eliminating MPLS circuits in favor of cost-efficient ISP connections.

To learn more about how zero trust architecture supports DOGE goals while improving your security posture and speeding your time to mission download our whitepaper, “Efficiency in Government Delivered with Zero Trust Network Architecture.” You can contact our team to learn how we can help modernize agency connectivity, eliminate legacy infrastructure costs, and deliver better outcomes for citizens and your workforce.

About Rob Bair
Robert (Rob) Bair is CISO in Residence at Zscaler. Prior to Zscaler, he served twenty years as an officer in the United States Navy. He served as a Director on the National Security Council / Executive Office of the President under two Administrations, including President Trump’s first term. 

Photo Credit: Airman 1st Class Philip Bryant