Automation enables IT systems to adapt at the ‘speed of need.’ But making automation work with complex security and mission needs requires experienced partners prepared to take on and manage the risks.

"We take the automation for granted, and in the Department of Defense, we've been left behind," Knausenberger said.

The Defense Innovation Unit wants to find algorithms that will allow drones to work with each other as a team automatically.

RPAs are getting a boost from machine learning in the DOD to help link up unmatched financial data.

The Federal RPA Community of Practice is behind much of the increase, despite RPA being but one type of automation.

The new capabilities would boost the new Edge Computing Infrastructure Program's ability to process mail.