https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
    • Latest videos
    • Product Guides
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE Expo
    • Calendar of Events
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

Smart Cities & Technology


GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY/Managing the risks of going online

GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY/Managing the risks of going online

In the fast-paced world of information technology, local governments are pressed to keep up with hardware and software needs, leaving little time for
  • Written by Tomaysa Sterling
  • 1st September 2000

In the fast-paced world of information technology, local governments are pressed to keep up with hardware and software needs, leaving little time for them to stay in step with changing liability and security issues. As a result, a growing number of local governments are facing IT-related dangers without even knowing they are at risk.

That was the case in Issaquah, Wash., which, unaware of changes in its licensing agreement, was charged with software piracy when it added users based on its previous agreement. And there are other, grayer, risks that threaten the online government. For example, equality issues relating to the digital divide and access of disabled persons to online services; questions of security regarding the use of e-mail for “discussion” of official business; and problems related to hacking, as illustrated by recent denial-of-service attacks on systems in Sunnyvale, Calif., and Denver, all are potential threats.

As part of the Technology Risk Assessment Project, sponsored by Washington, D.C.-based Public Technology Inc., local government representatives – including IT professionals – from nine communities gathered recently to identify online risks and discuss the actions they are taking to minimize exposure. Not surprisingly, security and privacy topped the list.

Participants in the workshop agreed that, to secure online data, a local government must first define the parameters for sensitive information (i.e., what constitutes sensitive information?) and identify the data that falls within that classification. It must then define the nature of a security breach as well as a privacy violation.

Security and privacy are partners in the operation of online services. While local governments may differ on their definitions of privacy, almost all agree that it should be protected.

Many local governments are using a combination of firewalls, encryption, security alert software and system auditing to ensure that their web sites and computer systems remain secure. Others, such as Tucson, Ariz., and Greensboro, N.C., are centralizing their computer systems to limit access and to bolster protection of data and technology.

Additionally, many local governments have posted privacy policies on their web sites, and at least one state (Virginia) has made such postings mandatory. Typically, the policy defines the activities that are permissible and those that are not permissible, and it identifies the data that will be collected from users’ computers and explains how that information will be used.

The presentation of public information on the Web produces endless questions about privacy and liability. For example, many local governments are struggling with the issue of putting court records online. Similarly, there are questions about the receipt of information through online transactions: How does the government protect itself against fraud? How will receipt of “outside” information affect the accuracy of the government’s database? Is there liability if data is lost or stolen during an online transaction?

Workshop participants offered a variety of recommendations for minimizing risk when conducting business online. For example, they approved of digital signatures as a means to improve security, and they supported the use of transaction confirmation software (i.e., a program that will send a note to the customer confirming that a transaction has been successfully completed). Additionally, they recommended that transactions originating from anonymous e-mail addresses not be accepted – if it becomes necessary to trace a transaction, the government should be able to trace it back to a real person.

Tags: Smart Cities & Technology

Most Recent


  • Report: Local cybersecurity programs are facing headwinds as threats, technologies evolve
    The evolving technological landscape isn’t just changing the nation’s social and economic norms, it’s also pushing local governments to adapt. A new analysis from the Public Technology Institute provides a snapshot of the challenges local cybersecurity programs are facing, and the priorities of city and county administrators as they guide organizations through an unprecedented era […]
  • CISA publishes AI roadmap to support security, competitiveness of American cities and counties
    The advent of artificial intelligence poses technical, ethical, political and security challenges for American local governments of all sizes. As AI becomes more prevalent and pervasive with each year that passes, the federal government is taking proactive steps now to avert future crises. A key part of that initiative is a new plan called the […]
  • technology
    The correlation between trust, transparency and technology with residents and their local governments
    Today, residents benchmark interactions with their local government against the experiences they have with consumer-facing brands. Digital self-service, immersive engagement experiences and streamlined communication are all on the table as municipalities seek to enhance civic engagement and foster trust with residents. Due to these evolving preferences and growing demands, local governments must look for ways […]
  • Report: Mayors are interested in generative AI, but adoption rates remain low
    There’s been a lot of focus in recent months on artificial intelligence (AI) and its many possible applications, from self-driving cars to manufacturing efficiencies. City administrators are likewise exploring the ways AI can improve the quality of life and safety of their constituents, and the effectiveness of public services.  New research from Bloomberg Philanthropies in […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • North Texas alliance partners with Marketplace.city on smart government solutions
  • Harris County deploys next-generation security in 150 public buildings
  • Prioritizing rapid restore leads to stronger ransomware attack recovery
  • Today’s infrastructure needs greater than roads and bridges - It’s time to face our digital connectiveness

White papers


The Four Key Components of Successful Digital Transformation

22nd November 2023

Navigating Today’s Greatest Workplace Challenges

3rd October 2023

7 Resources to Level-up Your Federal Grants Administration and Compliance

5th September 2023
view all

Webinars


Grant Preparedness: Unlocking Funding Opportunities for Your Success

10th August 2023

2023 State of Public Sourcing: Taking Local Governments into a Bright Future

1st August 2023

Stop Playing with Fire: How to Manage Infrastructure Asset Risk So You Know You’re Covered

20th June 2023
view all

PODCAST


Podcast: Disaster Management Symposium preview

13th October 2023

Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020
view all

GALLERIES


Gallery: Top 10 domestic city travel destinations this Thanksgiving season

22nd November 2023

Gallery: 10 American cities that have seen substantial population growth in the last five years

6th November 2023

Gallery: 10 of America’s greenest large cities

24th October 2023
view all

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2023 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.