Digital transformation is crucial for governments to streamline their services, reduce costs, and better serve the public. However, with the rise of digital technologies, cyber threats have become more prevalent, making it necessary for governments to prioritise cyber security.
In this blog post, we will explore emerging technologies that will accelerate digital transformation in the public sector, key things to consider, while also maintaining robust cyber security measures.

Blockchain is a term that is often batted around but what does it really mean?
Simply put, it’s a decentralised way of storing and sharing information (distributed ledger technology), that offers an immutable and tamper-proof record of transactions. This technology can help to secure critical systems and data in the public sector. By leveraging blockchain technology, governments can create secure and transparent systems for voting, record keeping, and identity management.

With a decentralised system, there is no single point of failure, making it harder for hackers to compromise the system.

There are some key considerations around using blockchain, such as scalability issues, limited compatibility and high energy consumption. All of which need to be properly reviewed and assessed before implementing as your go-to solution.

Next is cloud computing.
Cloud computing has become an essential technology in the digital transformation of the public sector. It provides a cost effective and scalable solution for government agencies to store, manage, and process large amounts of data. With the help of cloud computing, governments can reduce costs by avoiding the need to invest in expensive infrastructure and hardware. It also enables remote access to data, allowing employees to work from anywhere.

However, while cloud computing has huge flexibility benefits, there also risks to alleviate. These include internet connectivity issues, shared infrastructure risks, data breaches, plus regulatory challenges.
In fact, cyber security was at the top of the list of concerns for 85% of organisations who took part in the Flexera 2022 State of the Cloud Report.

Now that sensitive data and communications are shared over digital networks, it raises a number of compliance and security concerns.
Essentially, any cloud platforms that are utilised need to meet compliance and industry standards.
Advanced security measures such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and data backup are advised to ensure data protection. Governments need to partner with cloud providers that have robust security measures to mitigate cyber risks.

This digital communication leads nicely into the next technology, the Internet of things (IoT). This refers to the interconnectivity of devices and machines that can communicate with each other over the internet. IoT can help governments to create smarter cities by providing real time data on traffic, air quality, and energy consumption.

However, IoT devices can also pose a significant risk to cyber security. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in IoT devices to gain access to critical systems and data. Governments will need to implement strict security measures to secure IoT devices and prevent cyber attacks.

Lastly, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the hottest topic around.
It has enormous potential to transform the public sector, especially in cyber security. AI-powered systems can analyse vast amounts of data, detect patterns, and identify potential cyber threats. This can help governments to identify and respond to cyber attacks in real time, mitigating the risks to their systems and data.

The National Cyber Security Centre has even identified AI as a key tool in the fight against cyber crime, (Forbes 2022).

AI-powered security systems could also be used to automate security processes, reducing the need for human intervention. This can save time and resources, allowing government agencies to focus on other critical tasks.

In conclusion, digital transformation is critical to the public sector, but it comes with significant risks. Cyber security must be a top priority for governments to protect their systems and data from cyber threats. Leveraging emerging technologies such as blockchain, cloud computing, IoT, and AI can accelerate digital transformation while ensuring robust cyber security measures are in place. Partnering with technology providers that prioritise security and risk management is crucial to ensuring the success of these initiatives.

For more information
Don’t wait until it’s too late to invest in the right digital transformation to protect your employees, residents, or sensitive data.
Visit ourPublic Sector and Local Government page on our website for more information.

Or contact CyberHive now to schedule a consultation with our cyber security experts and ensure your public sector organisation is secure.