DHS Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar to Open 2026 Homeland Security Summit, Lays Out Operational Focus for Industry Audience

Troy Edgar, the Department of Homeland Security's deputy secretary and chief operating officer, will open the Potomac Officers Club's 2026 Homeland Security Summit on Nov. 10 at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner. Contractors and DHS watchers should treat the keynote as a practical readout of where the department is directing funding, organizational attention and acquisition interest heading into fiscal 2027.

# Edgar's role and operational frame

Edgar supervises DHS daily operations, a roughly $100 billion annual budget and about 260,000 employees. His confirmation testimony and subsequent actions emphasize execution and efficient use of policy and resources to meet administration goals across immigration, border security and broader national security missions.

# Organizational changes that matter to contractors

Edgar's private-sector background—he worked in IBM's federal business—shapes his view of public-private work. He has said that effective government solutions often require multiple vendors cooperating rather than a single supplier. He also favors planning modernization around mission and data before buying new tools, and he sees value in technology-as-a-service models where vendors handle operations and maintenance.

# Program and capability priorities highlighted in public remarks

Public remarks and engagements show Edgar backing a few concrete areas:

• Coast Guard modernization: Edgar has been a visible proponent of Force Design 2028 and the funding provided through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He framed the Arctic as an area of strategic competition and security importance.
• Disaster response funding: Under current leadership, DHS has pushed billions in FEMA funding to states and communities, an operational priority that has acquisition and grant-administration implications.
• Intelligence enterprise streamlining: The I&A reorganization signals emphasis on operational intelligence sharing with local partners.

The original article indicates Edgar may also address counter-drone investments and technology topics relevant to DHS components and industry, though the excerpt cuts off before a full list.

# Why industry should attend

# Practical next steps for attendees

• Listen for which DHS components will own upcoming solicitations after Edgar's organizational changes.
• Watch for language favoring technology-as-a-service or managed services, which affect pricing and staffing models.
• Track Coast Guard and Arctic-related buys tied to Force Design 2028 funding.
• Note any references to counter-drone and intelligence-sharing investments for relevant capability firms.