The US Air Force is set to enhance its global cyber defenses through a new $120 million contract awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology, covering the deployment of an AI-powered zero trust cybersecurity system across 187 installations worldwide. The task order was issued under the service’s Next Generation Gateway framework for enterprise cybersecurity modernization.
GDIT’s solution, known as the Everest Zero Trust Digital Accelerator, is a data-centric security platform designed to safeguard Air Force information systems at every classification level. According to the company, the system will support over one million users, using artificial intelligence and automation to identify threats, enforce access controls, and respond to cyber incidents in near real time.
The initiative aligns with the Department of Defense’s zero trust strategy, which replaces perimeter-based security with continuous verification of all users and devices. Under this approach, access decisions are constantly evaluated based on identity, device health, and data sensitivity, reducing vulnerabilities caused by credential theft or insider threats.
To support this transformation, DISA has embedded zero trust principles into DoD cloud environments, relying on dedicated testing laboratories to validate security architectures before full-scale deployment. Alongside GDIT, other defense technology firms are contributing to the effort, including Xage Security, which received funding from the US Space Force to advance zero trust identity and access management solutions.
