Protect Against the Continued Threat of Ransomware
Cybersecurity and risk management, unsurprisingly, top the list of priorities for state CIOs. Citizen data and its security should be at the forefront of state CIOs’ minds, as citizens’ personal information must stay secure and protected. States are targets for ransomware attacks because they possess large amounts of personal data. Further, state CIOs must not only focus on preventing ransomware attacks but on minimizing the impact in the event of an attack.
A critical aspect state CIOs must consider is their storage platforms’ data backup and recovery capabilities, as it is essential for states to quickly move through the remediation process and restore data after an attack. Having the fastest possible recovery time ensures states can avoid the significant organizational and financial impacts of protecting data while delivering citizen services.
With smarter attackers and more advanced technology, states must invest in their infrastructure to keep citizens and their information secure.
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Embrace a Digital Revolution for Government Services
State governments across the country are looking to reframe their services through the delivery of digital government. As they deal with more information than ever, it is essential for states to have the right digital infrastructure in place to support operations.
Prior to 2020, many state governments were slow to roll out technologies such as chatbots and digital assistants. With an overnight shift to telework and remote services, states were forced to act fast and implement solutions that delivered those same services for citizens virtually. Accelerating digital transformation will allow states to grow in their capabilities and provide services to citizens more efficiently.
States must seek solutions that enable continued digital enhancement of state technology and programs. Integrated systems that embrace digital services will allow states to continue to support stakeholders for years to come.
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Harness the Power of AI in Data Management
Data has the power to transform how states accomplish this mission by making them more effective and efficient. With technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning emerging, governments are getting smarter by identifying data patterns that can benefit operations and improve citizen service.
States must have the right infrastructure in place to glean strategic insights from their vast troves of data. AI helps move research forward, and states must seek solutions that are simple, seamless and sustainable to continue delivering on their missions. The ultimate goal is to embrace AI and ML applications to manage citizen data more effectively and efficiently to drive outcomes.
2021 will present its fair share of challenges to state governments, but investing in the right storage and technology solutions will ensure safety and protection for all citizens.
The continued threat of cybersecurity attacks, the advancement of digital government and the evolving field of data management should be top of mind for state CIOs. Ultimately, investing in IT modernization will continue to advance the mission and deliver the best citizen services at the state level and beyond.
