Category: Tech In The Public Sector

Gov Camp Faith Tech In The Public Sector, Tech Trends

Looking At The Attraction Of Tech Talent In The Public Sector

Everyday life has been overtaken by automation. We even need the support of technology while we sleep. Nowadays, primary fields of employment, such as medicine, retail, communication, transportation, etc., are massively dependent on the use of technology to function at total capacity on a daily basis.

The silicon age began roughly in the mid-twentieth century and has captured a large concentration of the world’s economy. And, in all these technological advancements, we humans have been able to evolve and adapt swiftly.

We all know the great opportunities that are available in private companies, that most of the time, we overlook the public sector. Yet, governments are making strides in making their workplace more tech-friendly. Keep reading for more insight into the attraction of tech talent in the public sector.

The Great Age Of Technologists

Once the very first machines were invented to help businesses meet demands, there was no looking back. By the end of the nineteenth century, the number of patents issued by the US Patent office began to rise, and there was a steady increase in the use of gadgets for almost every kind of activity. These innovations helped shape the face of our current economy, and now life would come to a standstill if not for the technology sector.

With the newer inventions developed over the years, there is a new approach to management, and working options have vastly increased. The possibilities have become boundless thanks to the introduction of the World Wide Web, which has consequentially led to the development of AI, the cloud, algorithm data analysis, etc.

Along with these, we’ve also seen an intriguing adaptation to work cultures, too. With more people opting for remote work or a hybrid setup.

Tech Work, Private Sector vs. Public Sector

The age-old question of which is better, ‘private’ or ‘government,’ always pops up for any professional trying to establish a career.

Traditionally, in urban areas, we meet a vast majority of people who opt for the private route as it offers flexibility. Think about tech hubs like Silicon Valley, Austing, Seattle, Los Angeles and others where startups ranging from free sex sites to automated delivery services pop up ubiquitously. However, if you move to more rural areas, employment in the public sector means you’ve got a stable flow of income. But as technology is evolving rapidly, our view on traditional work culture is also evolving.

What was once the most typical choice for the masses in the field of tech is now changing. Yes, there’s still the attractive packages and various career prospects that seem far superior in a private company. Still, with the government making strides to curate highly skilled individuals and provide a platform for them in the arena of technological advancements, the possibilities for career enhancements are vastly improving.

How To Attract, Develop And Keep Talent

In order to embrace the totality of the digital revolution, governments are doing everything possible to increase candidate experience. Still, they seem to be lagging behind the private giants in recruiting and retaining tech applicants.

Nevertheless, the public sector seems to be putting genuine efforts into the application of new strategies to entice the workforce, such as:

  • Diversity And Inclusivity

Standard modules for hiring are usually set up to hire cookie-cutter employees that fit a set of ‘standards’ while leaving out a large number of untapped talent. This minimizes the pool of employment to only a third of the potential skills that can be recruited.

These modules are now being scrutinized and altered so that every individual gets an equal opportunity to showcase their skills.

  • Partnerships

In the past, a semi-government structure was quite rare but as technology progresses, the demand for organizations to ‘keep up’ becomes apparent. So, public sectors have started slowly incorporating private sectors into their organizational layout, which has proven to be quite advantageous.

  • Upskill Programs

The government has become aware of the enormous skill gap between privately employed workers and their own civil servants and have started providing many upskill training programs for its employees. This shows that the public sector is willing to cultivate skills that can assist their staff to work seamlessly.

  • Flexibility

Most of the workforce today have in-depth knowledge of technology and its possibilities. Hence employers must be open to different work models which can cater to the requirements of their candidates without restricting them to a nine-to-five desk job.

We can already see several private companies opting for a hybrid work module that appeases the younger generation of employees. Having that option to choose where to check in and work gives considerable incentives to employers, and it helps them save money on workspace too. This means they can invest in other areas to improve the quality of work.

Tectonic Shifts To The Public Sector

Public sector leaders are now realizing that the old system won’t keep the workforce happy for much longer. Luckily, incorporating updated modules in three distinct dimensions: Work, workforce, and Workplace, of the civic sector, promises a fulfilling work environment for the future. The involvement of cognitive technology and advanced automation opens up more opportunities for employment. It also increases the chances of diversifying the talent pool.

Such innovative incorporations come at a time when the public sector is far from competing with the private giants. Still, if the trajectory continues upward, it will be easy to catch up in the future. The goal is to maximize the opportunity for fresh talent while assisting the current workers with adapting to the nuances of current technology.

With all the benefits and security that the public sector offers, many aspirants should want to work for the government. Instead, large droves of applicants are trying to make it to the top in the private sector. If the public sector wants to achieve the same heights as the private sector, now is the time to evolve and streamline antiquated methods to better fit the current decade we are living in. Fortunately, there is an awakening that is taking place within our government-run divisions, so there may still be some hope for the future of the public sector.

Gov Camp Faith Cybersecurity, Tech In The Public Sector

Cybersecurity Trends In The Public Sector

The public sector depends on the local and state governments for full spectrum protection against cyber threats. Cybersecurity is the only way to protect ourselves from the rising ransomware attacks to breaches of identity.

As technology advances, there are bound to be more hackers on the rise who daunt security providers with sophisticated tactics. The two parties are in a constant battle to outsmart each other with innovative ideas that either break or make the internet.

As per the latest 2022 Deloitte-NASCIO Cybersecurity Study, there is improvement and maturity in state-level cybersecurity as more officials and statesmen are now taking the threat more seriously.

When we take a look at the current context, every state has a chief information security officer (CISO). In addition, extra cybersecurity control measures are being taken, and there is a rise in the state-level budget.

This article covers the latest cybersecurity trends in the public sector based on the report given by CISOs from 53 US territories and states.

8 Public Sector Cybersecurity Trends

  • Awareness in State Lawmakers

It is high time that the state lawmakers and officials took the matter into their hands. With increased cyber threats in both the federal and public sectors, lawmakers are finally taking action to combat the threats.

As more lawmakers enter the cybersecurity scene, more CISO funds are imbursed, and more cybersecurity programs are initiated. The survey points out that relatively more states are in need of a CISO. 44% of the US states are funding a CISO role, while 10% are putting extra effort into the cybersecurity process. The awareness is only beginning. There are still many states that do not have a proper cybersecurity protocol for routine checks on cyber threats and risks.

  • Increased Cybersecurity Funds

Cyber theft is a very substantial threat. So, it is a relief to know that most states are taking measures to tackle the issue. As per the study, 30 states have raised their IT budgets for cybersecurity over the past year.

However, the budget percentage of cybersecurity isn’t maintained by most states. A few of them claim to have allotted about 10% of their budget to cybersecurity. The budget for cybersecurity is generally specified by the law, the governor’s orders, or state administrators. Only 2% of States are recorded to have lowered their budget for cybersecurity.

  • Improved Cyber Administration

According to the survey, every state in the US has a CISO now. However, some US territories still don’t. Some states that are more prone to cyber-attacks have even gone the extra measure to deepen their security. They have even banded with CROs and CPOs to heighten their cybersecurity.

The collaboration with these security executives allows for a more regular and comprehensive report to the officials of the state on the subject.

  • Fall in Complex Challenges

With better facilities and programs come better productivity and situations. And with the rise in budget, the future of cybersecurity is looking bright.

Outdated IT and security infrastructure, as well as poor and disengaging cybersecurity programs, had been a major threat to the public and scope for hackers. But as more funds are disbursed, CISOs have been able to upgrade and improve their system.

  • Local Government at Higher Risks

The study above proves that the state governments are doing a good job when it comes to cracking complicated cyber cases. State governments are employing security awareness, threat monitoring, risk assessment, access management, and incident response, among others.

However, the same can’t be said for the local governments, which are still lagging. Only about 8% of local governments are equipped with solid cybersecurity to protect the locals, while 67% of state governments have reached maturity when it comes to security awareness.

  • Minimal State and Local Cyber-Collaboration

There are few collaborations between the state and local governments. Only about 35% of CISOs working for the state collaborate with local governments. With the unwillingness of CISOs to work together with the local governments, minimal progress is seen on the local-state government front. We have seen collaboration with certain cybersecurity affairs between these governing bodies. Consider the take down of the dark web black market place “The Silk Road” or the prosecution of the creators of the backpage website. Sites like skipthegames escort finder and others that operate in the gray area between local and state governments often require collaboration between local and state cybersecurity teams.

  • Lack of Cybersecurity Staff

There are still few people who are in the cybersecurity business, and not many people have the necessary talent to crack or prevent a cyber threat. Even with the increase in cybersecurity budgets, the lack of talent is a major setback when it comes to staffing. It is hard to find people with the right abilities to fill in the gaps in the department of cybersecurity. Even mid-level cybersecurity posts take over three months for an expert to fill in. Director-level positions generally take more than six months to fill.

  • Cybersecurity and Outsourcing

Outsourced resources are valuable when it comes to filling the state CISOs’ competency gaps. Through cybersecurity contractors, a few cybersecurity offices are well-equipped with security providers. They usually employ 16 or more equivalents.

The number of CISOs in contract with an authorized security service provider for staff filling gaps has risen. In 2020, the percentage was only 51%, as compared to 78% in 2022.