Survey: Gov’t IT Heads See Federal Regulations’ Impact on Securing Citizen Data

Information technology officials at state and local governments said some federal regulations have been "very impactful" on how they deliver online services and tools necessary to protect citizen data, according to a survey by Unisys and Dell EMC.

The findings issued Thursday indicate that 74 percent of the 200 IT decision makers surveyed look at current statutes, regulations and standards as barriers that affect how they secure citizen data.

"IT managers and leaders face many more challenges migrating their services online than commercial enterprises because they need to negotiate through a unique and confusing maze of rules and regulations about the use of citizen data," said Mark Forman, global leader for public sector at Unisys.

However, majority of the respondents said digital transformation initiatives continue in their agencies despite the challenges, with more than 80 percent already working on apps to provide citizens access to government services.

But Forman noted IT officials should look beyond just technology to accelerate modernization by focusing on reduced costs and cybersecurity risk and support for agency and citizen needs.

"Adopting this new persona will result in government more quickly migrating from decades-old, form-based approaches to today's solutions that use data and algorithms to better address today's citizen needs," he said.