What Is the Role of IT Infrastructure in the Public Sector?

The public sector has struggled to match the private sector when it comes to modernising IT infrastructure. However, to meet the expectations of today's tech-savvy citizens, this is something that needs to change.

This article will explain the role IT infrastructure has to play in the public sector and the different benefits it can offer.

• What Is IT Infrastructure in the Context of the Public Sector?
• The Key Challenges Faced in IT Infrastructure Management for Public Sector Leaders
• The Benefits IT Infrastructure Can Offer to the Public Sector  

What Is IT Infrastructure in the Context of the Public Sector?

According to a recent report, nearly 8 out of 10 public sector organisations say they put customer centricity at the front and centre of their strategy. For this to happen, they must embrace the power of technology and data to aid their decision-making and prosper in today's consumer-centric world.

A modern IT infrastructure will provide them with the opportunity to make it happen. This is because it puts them in the position to offer any service, to any person, on any device, at any time.

Cloud technology and data platforms enable the rapid and reliable delivery of connected services to the public sector — but what are some examples of each?

• AI-Driven solutions
• Blockchain technologies
• Automated data handling
• Connectivity services such as 5G and ultra-fast broadband
• Augmented reality, virtual reality and intelligent system interfaces

You can learn more about these different technologies and how to maximise their value here.

The Key Challenges Faced in IT Infrastructure Management for Public Sector Leaders

Although it’s pivotal for public sector leaders to build a modern IT infrastructure in their organisation, many find it a challenging prospect. Here are some of the reasons why:

Lack of Funding

Funding pressures have ramped up over the last decade. Building an IT infrastructure can be a costly project, and some organisations simply don’t have the adequate budget to invest in the right technology.

The Digital Skills Gap

It’s also believed that over 40% of public sector organisations don’t have the right skills to adapt to digital transformation. While most public sector leaders are invested in building an effective IT infrastructure, they simply don’t have people with the right skills in their workforce to make it a success.

Lack of Integration

The public sector ecosystem is also highly saturated. Many organisations are facing challenges when it comes to integrating new technologies into their current IT infrastructure.

For example, in many organisations' back-end systems, portals are separate and don’t communicate, resulting in an elongated process for the customer.

Disparity of Trust

Data is needed to develop new technology and meet consumer needs. However, many citizens lack trust when sharing data with public sector organisations.

This means organisations need to put a sharp focus on tackling misinformation and communicating differently about data collection and usage.

The Benefits IT Infrastructure Can Offer to the Public Sector

Once public sector leaders can overcome the challenges related to IT infrastructure, there are many benefits it can provide to an organisation. Some of these include:

Better Decision Making

Having an IT infrastructure in place gives organisations more access to data. This data can be used to aid their decisions which are based on a source of truth rather than assumptions.

An IT infrastructure also allows organisations to monitor trends, gather feedback and better understand users and audiences, feeding that information into better-developed business strategies.

Increased Innovation and Agility

Organisations who build an IT infrastructure have an opportunity to get ahead of the curve. As highlighted, many public sector leaders find it challenging to adopt a digital approach, meaning those who do quicker will open up a world of opportunities.

Having an IT infrastructure in place can also make your organisation more agile and thrive alongside changing public demands.

Easier Collaboration Across Departments

In the past, many public sector organisations have struggled with silos and building synergy across teams. An IT infrastructure provides opportunities to remove this challenge, increasing unity and collaboration across the workforce.

Data sharing can be more fluent and teams can use technology to communicate better. As workflows improve, so does the end goal, which is focused on customer satisfaction.

Improved Organisational Culture

This improved way of working can also transform work culture. Employees feel more empowered to make better decisions and consistently improve their skills by providing a culture that rewards innovation.

As your employees collaborate more frequently, they’ll also build stronger relationships and feel more inclined to work closely with their colleagues to help your organisation meet its goals.

Are You Ready to Start Building an IT Infrastructure at Your Organisation?

If your organisation wants to learn more about building an IT infrastructure to reap the aforementioned benefits, the GovICT 2022 event is the perfect place to start.

Find out more about the 18th Annual Government ICT Conference and how you can register via the button below.