Implementing full-scale observability in government to achieve zero trust

AI will play an increasingly critical role in pinpointing cybersecurity problems faster than human analysis, especially in resource-constrained environments, says the chief information security officer of a leading cloud application monitoring provider.

The need for comprehensive observability and monitoring has never been more critical as federal agencies continue to combat an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape across multiple cloud and on-premises operating environments, argues Datadog CISO Emilio Escobar in a recent FedScoop podcast. “The imperative to secure digital assets has never been greater,” he says. “Unified and continuous monitoring across the government is essential to reducing costly threats.”

Escobar outlined several key challenges federal agencies face in achieving full observability. He identified the complexity of diverse IT environments — legacy systems, cloud platforms and hybrid infrastructures — as a significant obstacle. “The sheer scale and diversity make it difficult to have a unified view,” says Escobar. He also pointed to data silos, resource constraints and integration challenges as factors that hinder effective monitoring.

Escobar recommended a phased approach to address these hurdles, beginning with simplifying and centralizing visibility. “Modern observability tools, like Datadog, can serve as a single source of truth, providing actionable insights across on-premises systems, cloud platforms and hybrid environments,” he says. He urged agencies to prioritize mission-critical systems and strategically expand their monitoring capabilities to demonstrate value and build internal momentum.

Escobar also underscored the role of automation and AI in enhancing observability. “AI can pinpoint when and where problems arise faster than human analysis, especially in resource-constrained environments,” he says. This capability is particularly valuable for tracking changes in distributed systems and mitigating potential risks in real-time.

In addition, Escobar stressed observability must be a collaborative effort. “It shouldn’t just be owned by IT or security teams,” he says. “Cross-team collaboration — embracing DevSecOps — is key to improving system health and decision-making.”

Reflecting on successful government initiatives, Escobar praised the National Security Agency for its leadership in advancing zero-trust principles. “The NSA’s cybersecurity information sheets offer practical guidance aligned with NIST standards, serving as a model for other agencies,” he says.

As federal IT leaders navigate the complexities of zero trust, Escobar advises them to plan strategically and leverage AI to accelerate progress. “Zero trust is an ongoing journey,” he says. “Simplify, prioritize, and use the tools available to build a secure foundation.”

Listen to the entire podcast conversation here. And learn how Datadog can accelerate government IT modernization with end-to-end observability and security.