Founder, Buuuk – Digital Innovation.
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Governments realize the need for adaptation of modern technologies now more than ever. If corporations are the lungs, technology is its oxygen.
Technology is already helping organizations improve their productivity, but using it to enhance government functions could be the next step toward greater and more resilient countries.
Gathering And Securing Important Information Using Cloud Technologies
Data sharing between governments and its organizations has been made possible through cloud technologies. These platforms allow data to be shared while preserving its safety.
An estimate by McKinsey predicted that fully connected and interoperable government data would lead to a 60% decrease in the case processing effort.
Governments across the world relied on data-sharing platforms to gather early statistics during the Covid-19 pandemic. This data helped us learn from the early stages of the disease’s spread, enabling the government to better communicate with health experts and develop preventive measures such as regulations and vaccines. All this information was safely shared and made possible through cloud sharing.
Using similar technologies, governments can:
• Securely exchange the data for analysis and decision-making in finance, human resources, cybersecurity and supply chains.
• Maintain privacy while allowing for real-time data sharing for analysis and modeling.
• Gather information about public health, supply chains, cybersecurity and other topics in real time.
Cloud computing technologies can save costs as opposed to investing in physical infrastructure. From virtual documenting to filing taxes, multiple applications can be improvised through cloud technologies.
To adapt to cloud tech, it’s important to assess the current IT infrastructure and determine which data will be best suited for it. In addition, the right employees need to be a part of discussion plans for migrating to the new tech.
Replacing Legacy Features And Functions With Cloud Integrations
According to Gartner, over 50% of government agencies are expected to divert toward modernized critical core legacy applications to improve their efficiency by 2025.
A legacy system is a setup of technology that was developed to help meet the needs of an organization but is now technologically outdated. Most legacy systems still work, but with better solutions in place, what can be done with the existing legacy systems?
Legacy system integration is a process of connecting a legacy system with a modern technology-based cloud application. This can be achieved through APIs, files or database connectors. The process recognizes the individual needs of the government vertical and then provides solutions based on them. Here’s how this process (known as vertical clouding) can help governments:
• Instead of creating new applications from scratch, this integrates old systems into modern, more secure and more reliable technology.
• Harnessing the data from these systems means faster and easier accessibility, and eventually better understanding and implementation of government projects.
• Legacy applications can be synced with technologies that can allow synchronization across all systems. This ensures the automation of workflow and is particularly beneficial for fields of finance and human resources.
Governments should audit legacy applications and identify areas where new APIs and capabilities can be used to replace legacy features and functions.
Becoming More Efficient With Blockchain And DLTs
Maintaining sensitive public data can be a hard and cost-inclusive task. Even governments from developed countries routinely struggle and sometimes fail in doing so.
Blockchain and digital ledgers can simplify the management of such data. Blockchain keeps digital assets safe against unauthorized activities and data theft, and as a result of transparency from blockchain, governments can have better control over contract management, financial transaction management and identity management. Below are a few other examples of how governments can utilize this technology to their advantage:
• With full accountability of financial transactions, governments can maximize the collected revenue.
• Minimizing fraud can allow priorities as more government entities experience budget shortfalls.
• Governments can use blockchain and DLTs to reduce transaction fees, boost operational effectiveness, make supply chains more visible and support digital identities, among other possibilities.
Some of the key government functions, such as the safekeeping of medical records and keeping identity verifications secure, can be optimized by using blockchain technology.
While DLT offers cost savings, risk reduction and interoperability, its adoption needs technical acumen and cultural adaptability. After deciding what challenges DLT solves, it’s important to build a small-scale prototype to test out the technology and ensure that it meets the organization’s needs.
Improving Security To Protect Sensitive Data
Internet users now face constantly evolving threats to their data and privacy due to the changing nature of the cybersecurity threat landscape globally. New technologies like 5G result in more device connections than ever before, but governments can use artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle this issue.
AI can automate decision-making and deduce patterns from modified data and detect anomalies as soon as they occur. AI algorithms work by learning from real-world information, such as current security threats around the world, false positives and attacks within the organization.
While artificial intelligence is not the only practical solution, it is one of the most effective in tackling the increasing attempts to hack and access sensitive data with the government.
Aside from AI technologies, governments should ensure the following steps to increase cybersecurity:
• Develop strong rules and security policies.
• Perform routine audits and security checks.
• Implement two-factor authorization and encryption on sensitive data.
• Train team members on how to maintain and tackle cybersecurity issues.
• Use firewalls.
• Monitor and control which teams, individuals and third parties can access their systems.
• Make Wi-Fi security paramount and also monitor network security of employees working from home.
• Provide personal accounts to staff.
Automating Or Eliminating All Low-Value Activities
Governments should not have to struggle with costs. Technology can work smarter, faster and even cheaper. Automating at scale can advance the government’s efforts with shorter timelines, quicker value delivery and improved competence. The benefits of adapting to automation can include reduced manpower and enhanced time management, faster ROI, increased productivity and consistent work quality, and a reduced carbon footprint.
Government leaders can begin with a top-down assessment of potential gains across various functions. These might be in terms of saving financial resources, optimizing manpower or delivering seamless experiences to citizens. Rather than a 180-degree transformation, this can mark a crucial step in the gradual transition to efficient digitalized governance at its core.
In Conclusion
A future-savvy government is hard to imagine without technology considering the scale of expected productivity challenges facing it. Monitored under strict policies, technology brings a positive transformation in the way government agencies operate and serve their citizens.
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