The Department of Energy’s national laboratories are pivotal engines of scientific discovery, driving advancements in energy, national security, and frontier research. As the complexity and urgency of research initiatives grow, so too do the challenges facing their IT and data infrastructure environments.
At NLIT 2025, the conversation across sessions and working groups points to a critical inflection point: modernization is no longer optional. IT leaders across the DOE complex are grappling with a convergence of needs—scaling high-performance computing (HPC) operations, securely enabling AI and cloud technologies, strengthening cybersecurity postures, and breaking down data silos to foster greater collaboration.
Meeting the Data Challenge in the DOE Complex
Today’s research demands faster access to trustworthy data, and more agile infrastructures to support the dynamic nature of scientific inquiry. Common challenges identified across the national labs include:
- Managing Big Data: Laboratories are generating and consuming exponentially larger datasets, driving the need for more efficient storage, retrieval, and processing systems.
- Modernizing Legacy Systems: Many sites must balance the maintenance of legacy applications with the adoption of modern cloud-native, scalable solutions.
- Enhancing Cybersecurity: With increasing cyber threats, particularly around operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) convergence, DOE labs are pushing for stronger zero-trust architectures and more resilient security frameworks.
- Driving Energy Efficiency: In the post-exascale era, optimizing energy usage within data centers has become both a technical and environmental priority.
- Fostering Collaboration and Innovation: Interoperability across labs, secure data sharing, and common platforms for AI and HPC workflows are critical to accelerating joint research initiatives.
Strategies for Scientific IT Modernization
Addressing these challenges requires a strategic and holistic approach to IT modernization. Key strategies emerging from the NLIT community include:
- Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Integration: Securely leveraging cloud resources while maintaining control and compliance with DOE mission requirements.
- Data-Centric Architectures: Building IT systems around the principles of data accessibility, trustworthiness, and readiness for AI-driven analysis.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Designing next-generation data centers and IT operations with an emphasis on energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint.
- Cyber Resilience by Design: Embedding cybersecurity considerations into every layer of the IT ecosystem, from endpoint to core to cloud.
The Path Forward
The DOE’s national laboratories are not just keeping pace with technological change—they are leading it. But realizing the full potential of AI, HPC, and next-generation research requires IT environments that are agile, resilient, and built for scientific excellence.
The discussions at NLIT 2025 highlight a shared vision: an integrated, secure, and innovative IT future that empowers researchers to drive discovery without boundaries.
As the DOE community continues its modernization journey, collaboration among labs, technology partners, and federal stakeholders will be essential. Together, we can build an IT foundation that matches the ambition of the science it supports—and powers a new era of innovation for our nation.
Continue the Conversation
Hitachi Vantara Federal will be exhibiting at this year’s NLIT Summit in Denver, Colorado! Visit us at Booth 106 or schedule time to meet with our team to discuss your specific mission challenges and programs.