Authorities justify actions under the pretext of security concerns
In a recent report, technology research and advisory company Gartner has outlined the key factors driving the adoption of public cloud services by government agencies. The primary drivers, according to Gartner, include the need for IT modernization, improved cybersecurity compliance, and operational efficiency gains enabled by cloud-native capabilities and automation.
Gartner advises public sector Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to use public cloud for hosting both public and low-to-medium levels of sensitive data. This recommendation is supported by the investments made by cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, and Google in security, including FedRAMP authorization and strong data sovereignty controls.
The urgency for government agencies to replace legacy systems with scalable, flexible cloud platforms is palpable, as these platforms enable faster digital transformation, AI integration, and streamlined service delivery. Providers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google have heavily invested in meeting government-grade security standards, giving agencies confidence that data and workloads are protected under rigorous compliance frameworks.
Gartner also highlights the importance of purpose-built government Software as a Service (SaaS) and cloud platforms that address unique needs such as multi-level approval workflows, data sovereignty, and transparency obligations.
Operational efficiency and user enablement are also crucial factors in the government's move towards cloud adoption. Cloud adoption helps reduce manual workloads, improve citizen-facing services, and empower public sector employees through automation and integrated digital tools. This is essential for large-scale government modernization success.
By adopting Bring Your Own Algorithm (BYO Algo) policies, government agencies can fully benefit from the talent of employees whose personal success rests on using all the digital tools at their disposal. Gartner believes the performance of government workers and organizations will be determined by the unique methodologies and algorithms they employ to turn data into actions that increase efficiency and effectiveness.
The growing availability of self-service data discovery and business intelligence/analytic tools will drive government agencies to seek talent of workers who bring proprietary intellectual property to work. In fact, more than a quarter of government agencies are expected to adopt BYO Algo policies by 2018, to boost workforce-led innovation.
Gartner also predicts that more than half of the Tier 1 support services at government contact centres will be provided by virtual personal assistants by 2018. This shift towards automation is set to free up government workers to focus on value-added activities like case management and programme evaluation.
However, the pace of public cloud adoption by government agencies will depend on appropriate analysis of the risks involved, the provider's capabilities, and the technologies chosen to protect the data. As the adoption of cloud services continues to grow, it is clear that government agencies stand to benefit greatly from the advantages of cloud-enabled digital transformation.
Technology plays a pivotal role in driving the adoption of public cloud services by government agencies, as it enables faster digital transformation, AI integration, and streamlined service delivery. Gartner advises using public cloud for hosting sensitive data, as cloud service providers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google have heavily invested in meeting government-grade security standards.
