Goverment CIO Outlook: Specials Magazine

Most companies work to solve problems, but Leidos has always aimed higher—transforming how we perceive and tackle the world’s toughest challenges. It all began in 1969 when Dr. J. Robert Beyster founded the company with the simple yet audacious idea of using science to drive meaningful change on a global scale. Back then, it was known as Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and even in its early days, the company stood out. Leidos wasn’t just taking on projects but stepping into uncharted territory. From advancing nuclear energy research to safeguarding national security, its work was groundbreaking. These early achievements laid the foundation for a company built to embrace complexity, turning it into opportunities for innovation and impact. Five decades later, Leidos continues to be a global innovation leader. Whether defending against sophisticated cyber threats, revolutionizing public health infrastructure or driving digital transformation, Leidos demonstrates an ability to ask penetrating questions and develop solutions that create substantive, systemic change. Turning Challenges into Opportunities The challenges facing governments and organizations today are unprecedented. Securing critical networks against sophisticated cyber threats, modernizing legacy digital infrastructure and addressing complex, interconnected problems demand more than traditional solutions. These multifaceted challenges emerge simultaneously, creating a complex landscape that requires innovative, resilient and rapid responses. Leidos distinguishes by delivering transformative outcomes that fundamentally redefine technological potential. At the core of their approach lies a critical foundation—trust. Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool for governments, offering unprecedented data analysis and decision-making capabilities. However, longstanding skepticism has hindered its adoption. Leidos confronts this challenge directly by developing AI and machine learning systems designed to be inherently transparent and unbiased. Their approach transforms AI from a questionable technology into a reliable strategic asset. These systems enable public agencies to address critical challenges more effectively. By eliminating potential biases and ensuring transparent operations, Leidos helps organizations leverage data-driven insights across domains—from managing public health crises to enhancing national security operations. The stakes in cybersecurity reach new heights. Cyber threats continue to evolve with increasing sophistication, targeting the very foundations of national infrastructure. While many agencies remain trapped in reactive defense strategies, Leidos’s pioneering approach shifts the paradigm. Their AI-driven cyber frameworks enable proactive anticipation and prevention of potential breaches. Advanced strategies like Zero Trust architecture and quantum cryptography further reinforce this approach. Leidos helps governments develop robust, adaptive cyber resilience that can withstand increasingly complex threat landscapes by moving beyond traditional defensive postures.