Before the pandemic, resources such as funding and budget were a constant challenge for government agencies. In the past two years, the pandemic exposed government agencies to many aspects of technology. It highlighted the relevance and importance of technology to most organizations as it was technology that helped make us sure that the day to day operation of the agency remained intact and enabled us to operate using online services. That is how we changed in terms of how we operated within IT in the first year and a half of the pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, we tried to have defined network parameters in terms of security, but the situation exposed us further to cybersecurity. As we had to utilize multiple cloud applications while enabling authentication for hybrid and remote workers, the lack of fully defined network parameters posed a major cyber security challenge for us.
Other than cyber security, another major challenge for government agencies is modernization of technology based on the new set of systems that are needed to run IT in the post pandemic period.
As you mentioned that pandemic exposed the government to the aspects of cybersecurity and modernization of technologies, what are some of the trends you’re seeing in the market that are trying to solve these challenges?
Overall we’ll see a focus on adaptive security in government and a focus on data analytics. The pandemic brought to light the use of data analytics to overcome challenges. Within the government sector, IT environments will be focusing on providing improved services to citizens. In addition to cyber security modernization of the IT infrastructure, operational efficiency would be another area of focus.
Are there any other project initiatives that you are taking to solve pandemic and post-pandemic challenges at your organization?
As the post-pandemic situation brought forth several changes, one of the things that I have been making sure that the management is aware of is the major need for developing a technology plan. All IT departments must develop a comprehensive technology roadmap with the highest priorities in sight, while making sure that it is aligned with the objective of the agency and defines their actions for the next three years.
We are working on a number of regional projects, such as the installation of fiber optics throughout Northern Nevada for unserved and underserved community. We are working on implementing a regional public safety system solution, CAT RMS, which runs the dispatch and records within our law enforcement and public safety.
We want to make sure that we don’t experience any more disruptions. All IT departments should focus on making sure that they do have a solution in case of any disruptions, such as a disaster recovery site.
As long as you can partner together and provide the technology that the department needs, to provide the solution to citizens, you have automatically aligned your goals with parts of the organization strategic objectives
In the next 12 to 18 months down the line, how would you envision this space?
With the advent of artificial intelligence right now within a number of our software platforms, I believe AI to be a major focus area for IT in the future.
In the next 12 to 18 months within the IT sector, we will see more of technology modernization and making sure that technology is users-driven. A lot of agencies wholly depended on the IT to run technology operations for them, but the pandemic changed that mentality as the departments saw the need to step up and be on the forefront of technology on their own. In the near future, more departments will be spearheading technology initiatives that address their needs.
In addition to that, hybrid work is to stay. The best solution isn’t for everybody to be working physically at work or everybody to be remote. In terms of the future of workplace altogether, it will be a combination of both.
I further see a need for central IT departments to partner and work closely with other departments. In a government agency such as in our county, there are over 30 departments and agencies. A central IT group cannot work on all of the projects countywide. The departments need to step up and spearhead some of their projects. It is important for them to understand that they need to work with the central IT to follow the standard guidelines.
There will also be a focus on standardization of technology and technology equipment as during the pandemic, solutions were used to run day to day operations without much research.
What would be your piece of advice to the upcoming professionals in this field?
My theory is to partner at all levels of the organization, not just internally with the departments, but with other government agencies and vendors as well. I see everybody as a partner in a government sector. It helps me make sure that what I do is aligned with the strategic objectives of the county of the organization. As long as you can partner together and provide the technology that the department needs, to provide the solution to citizens, you have automatically aligned your goals with parts of the organization strategic objectives
