Overcoming legacy systems to help government agencies connect, automate, and deliver modern digital services

Many federal agencies still rely on aging technology that was not designed for today’s expectations around real-time data sharing, seamless user experiences or secure digital service delivery. While citizens increasingly expect fast easy-to-use government services, agencies can struggle to meet these expectations when critical systems are built on outdated languages, unsupported components and fragmented architectures. GAO has identified 11 critical federal legacy systems most in need of modernization, many of which present operational, integration and cybersecurity risks.

As demand grows for more responsive and connected government, addressing legacy technology is becoming essential to service transformation.

This roundtable discussion, part of Global Government Forum’s Government Service Delivery 2026 conference and supported by EY, will bring together leaders from across the US federal government to discuss how agencies can modernize legacy systems in ways that improve service delivery, enable automation and support more integrated digital government.

This discussion will cover:

• How legacy systems constrain agencies’ ability to connect, automate and expose services through modern digital channels
• Practical approaches to prioritizing modernization across critical systems, budgets and mission needs
• How agencies can reduce cybersecurity and operational risks linked to outdated technologies
• How improved interoperability and modern platforms can support more seamless, user-centered government services