By Ven Taylor, Wireless Solutions Architect

Federal Agencies Are Returning to the Office—Can Their Networks Handle It?

With federal employees returning on-site, IT leaders are under pressure to ensure their wireless networks can handle the demand. Many agencies are still running outdated controllers, lack Wi-Fi 6, and rely on Cisco Prime Infrastructure, which is now end-of-support (EOS).

The challenge is clear: agencies must modernize their wireless infrastructure to meet today’s security, compliance, and operational demands—without disrupting mission-critical operations.

Cisco has provided a clear path forward:

• Integrating Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controllers into the Meraki Dashboard for cloud-based monitoring without immediate hardware upgrades.
• Migrating fully to a Meraki-managed wireless ecosystem, eliminating on-premises controllers and simplifying operations.

Presidio Federal’s Deployment Experience: Modernizing CISA’s Network

Aging infrastructure isn’t just a theoretical problem—it’s something we’ve solved in the field. Presidio Federal recently helped CISA refresh its network across three major locations using Meraki firewalls, switches, and wireless APs.

How We Executed the Deployment:

• Full network refresh across three buildings, ensuring high-performance and security.
• Deployment of Meraki’s cloud-managed firewalls, switches, and wireless APs for a seamless transition.
• White-glove service with hands-on project management to ensure a smooth rollout.
• Engineering consultants as trusted advisors, guiding the agency through design, security, and compliance requirements.

This project gave CISA a modern, scalable, and secure Meraki network capable of supporting mission-critical cybersecurity operations.

Why This Matters for Federal Agencies

Federal IT leaders must balance security, compliance, and efficiency—often with shrinking budgets. Cloud-based network management simplifies operations, but security and regulatory concerns have historically slowed adoption.

With FedRAMP Moderate certification, Meraki’s Government Cloud offers a secure, compliant way for civilian agencies, law enforcement, and non-DoD entities to gain the benefits of cloud-based networking without compromising federal security mandates.

The Federal Return-to-Office (RTO) Mandate & Network Readiness

Agencies bringing employees back into physical offices must support:

• Higher network demands and increased device densities
• Expanded security requirements
• More connected devices

According to IDC, 807.5 million Wi-Fi 6E devices are expected to ship in 2024—a 66% increase from 2023 (Source).

The Wi-Fi 6 market is projected to grow from $5.7 billion in 2023 to $20.9 billion by 2028 (Source).

Federal agencies must modernize now to keep pace with these advancements.

How Agencies Can Integrate Catalyst 9800 Controllers into the Meraki Dashboard

For agencies that aren’t ready for a full cloud transition, Cisco provides an option to integrate existing Catalyst 9800 controllers into the Meraki Dashboard. This allows IT teams to:

• Gain deep network visibility via Meraki’s cloud-based tools
• Simplify monitoring & troubleshooting without replacing hardware
• Transition at their own pace without disrupting operations

Supported Environments:

• Catalyst 9800 controllers running IOS XE 17.12.3, 17.12.4, or 17.15.1+
• Wi-Fi 6 and 6E access points, plus select earlier-generation APs

Presidio Federal provides hands-on engineering expertise to ensure secure, seamless integration—maximizing cloud-based insights without compromising security or compliance.

Why Consider a Full Transition to a Meraki Wireless Network?

For agencies looking to reduce on-prem infrastructure complexity, a full shift to Meraki’s cloud-first approach provides:

• Cloud-Managed Simplicity – Networks managed via a single pane of glass, eliminating physical controllers.
• Scalability – Easily expand and manage multiple agency locations.
  ✔ Enhanced Security – FedRAMP Moderate certification ensures compliance with federal security requirements.
• Automated Updates & AI-Driven Analytics – No manual patching or firmware maintenance needed.

With Meraki’s Government Cloud, agencies can achieve a faster, more agile network while maintaining compliance and security.

Security Considerations for Federal Agencies

Security remains a top priority for agencies moving to cloud-managed networking. With FedRAMP Moderate certification, Meraki’s Government Cloud meets stringent requirements for encryption, access control, and data security.

Additionally, the FCC’s 2020 allocation of 1,200 MHz in the 6 GHz spectrum (Source) has expanded federal wireless capabilities, allowing agencies to:

• Leverage greater bandwidth for high-density environments
• Reduce interference and increase security
• Future-proof their networks

Making the Transition Seamless with Presidio Federal

Modernizing a federal network doesn’t have to be disruptive. Whether agencies choose to integrate Catalyst 9800 into Meraki or fully migrate to a Meraki-managed network, Presidio Federal provides:

• White-Glove Project Management – Dedicated experts handle the entire deployment process.
• Engineering Consultants as Trusted Advisors – Ensuring the right design, security, and compliance from the start.
• Tailored Migration Strategies – Helping agencies transition at their own pace, with minimal operational impact.

The Bottom Line: Federal Wireless Networks Must Evolve

Aging networks cannot keep up with increasing demands. Agencies must modernize their wireless infrastructure to support RTO, enhanced security, and future connectivity needs.

Whether it’s integrating Catalyst 9800 into Meraki’s Dashboard or deploying a full Meraki network, Presidio Federal has the expertise to execute seamlessly—just as we did with CISA.

Contact us today to discuss how to future-proof your federal network.