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 2022
    • 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


Article

Data protection, cloud advancement and containerization: 2022 state and local priorities

Data protection, cloud advancement and containerization: 2022 state and local priorities

  • Written by Mike Wiseman
  • 19th January 2022

Between the lasting implications of the pandemic, continual shifts in work practices and the ever-present threat of a ransomware attack, state and local governments have persevered through another year of adapting to meet citizen needs and continue to deliver on the mission. This year, we’ve seen a push toward significant transformation of our technology systems, remote working capabilities and data infrastructures—showing state and local governments’ determination to push forward for more robust citizen service delivery.

As we enter 2022, some of the same trends will remain at the center stage, including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI), as both the private and public sectors continue to emphasize data protection. However, a new focus will be on modernization, including moving systems to the cloud, utilizing containerization and understanding how to sustain technology systems for years to come. These factors combined will lead to resilient systems that will continue to drive innovation for years to come.

1. Getting ahead of ransomware for maximum data security
From ransomware attacks on school systems and hospitals, to threats on critical infrastructure and government systems, the public sector is under immense pressure to build the strongest cyber defenses possible against bad actors. And as attacks become innumerable, ransomware insurance is getting harder to collect on.

When it comes to ransomware protection, the best way to prevent an attack is to stay ahead of it. So how can state and local IT leaders strategically implement a unified data protection architecture for the fastest data backup and recovery speed?

A few often-overlooked practices for data protection include backing up systems routinely, reinforcing basic cybersecurity awareness and education, and revisiting cyber incident response plans, often. Investing in solutions that prioritize rapid recovery—many with the most advanced AI built-in—makes it easier to minimize downtime and restore systems as quickly as possible. The most advanced systems of AI can reduce time to insight and integrate with existing technology, so IT leaders shouldn’t be afraid to dive into the data protection waters.

2. Leveraging the right resources for a seamless transition to the cloud
We’ve been throwing the term “cloud” around for a few years now, but how can state and local agencies double down on modernization with cloud to continue delivering efficient and effective citizen services?

2022 will be the year of definitive cloud transformation for government. But cloud—specifically hybrid cloud—can be challenging to manage. Cloud operations can get expensive, and many state and local IT leaders are challenged with a sense of what processes can be localized, what data should actually be stored in the cloud, and what makes sense to transition to the cloud in the short and long term.

Through partnerships with cloud providers, state and local agencies can create robust cloud systems that deliver the most intelligent and integrated cloud and AI models. In addition, cloud providers allow agencies to centralize data operations and provide a higher caliber of cloud expertise, management, and reporting from public sector IT teams.

A transformation fueled by the pandemic, cloud can be used to streamline processes around including healthcare, first responders, public records, virtual learning and critical citizen services. A seamless transition to a hybrid cloud infrastructure allows state and local organizations to leverage more powerful automation, security and software-based analytics.

3. Investing for the long-haul
There’s a clear appeal in investing in the latest and greatest technology systems, but often it can seem hard to justify the spending on systems that will be outdated just as quickly as they came to life. And there can be a challenge of anticipating what data capabilities you’ll need down the line.

State and local organizations must understand how to acquire, deploy, and sustain systems that can scale with their changing needs. Containerization, which allows governments to operationalize and deploy applications faster and more securely, brings a heightened drive for data management for enterprise-level assurance, all while operating in a fully packaged and portable environment. While relying on DevSecOps, containerization platforms speed up platform development, prevent cloud vendor lock-in, and improve management and security platforms. In addition, containers are all-encompassing enough to scale as agency needs change and grow.

Some of the most beneficial solutions for flexibility and agility of systems are as-a-service platforms. They allow agencies and institutions to scale up or down without massive disruption to install. As a result, state and local leaders can consume the digital infrastructure they need at a given time while remaining adjustable for the future, where predicting long-term requirements can be challenging.

Looking to the Year Ahead
These advancements in data protection, cloud, and segmentation should remain top of mind for state and local government leaders as we enter the new year. While it’s still unclear what this year of operations will look like, investments in systems that will grow with agencies, build strong defenses and use new technologies will set governments up for success. State and local governments must double down on technology solutions that will propel modernization and prepare them for the future.

 

Michael Wiseman is the vice president, public sector, Pure Storage, leading the sales team responsible for state, local and education customers in the United States. In his current role, Wiseman is responsible for developing a team to enable the transformation of how public sector customers protect, serve and educate their constituents by leveraging technology to connect, innovate and lead. Prior to joining Pure Storage, Wiseman spent 17 years at Cisco.

 

Tags: homepage-featured-3 homepage-featured-4 Administration Economy Public Works & Utilities Smart Cities & Technology Administration Economy Economy & Finance Public Works & Utilities Smart Cities & Technology Article

Most Recent


  • Amid spike, federal transportation department launches initiative to curb traffic-related deaths
    While stay-at-home orders might be a thing of the past, the pandemic’s impact is still felt daily through expectations to socially distance, the prevalence of masks in high risk areas like hospitals, and the stubbornly high annual rate of traffic-related deaths. Traffic fatalities hit a 16-year high in 2021, and preliminary data points to a […]
  • businesses
    Engaging businesses to strengthen your community
    A prosperous business community epitomizes effective city leadership and fuels economic growth. But to fully understand and address specific needs within your community, cities must engage with local stakeholders and businesses to cultivate and maintain a strong business ecosystem. Business engagement plays an essential role in a city’s retention of businesses, helping to foster organic […]
  • Report: Some public employees face financial hardship; comprehensive pay packages proved 'a pathway toward economic security'
    Many who work in public service, in professions that center around helping others, are themselves struggling to make ends meet and face financial hardship. Addressing these needs, the public employers they work for are well positioned to help them out, according to a report published Thursday by the MissionSquare Research Institute, “Examining the Financial Wellbeing […]
  • These 10 American cities are well prepared for a tech-based future
    From smart devices to electric vehicles, the success of technological advancements rely on municipal grids and infrastructure. Some cities are better equipped for the future than others. A new analysis from the tech company ProptechOS ranks the top 10 American cities best positioned for a “smart city future.” “But new technologies can only support us […]

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

  • Trends for the future: Public procurement professionals adapt to the changing and challenging times ahead
  • How the past informs the future: 12 predictions for 2022
  • Cybersecurity resilience begins with strategy and collaboration
  • The Free, Intelligent Connector for Higher-Ed Spend Challenges

White papers


Modernizing government services for today’s resident expectations

24th January 2023

Preparing Your Community Now for the Next Generation of Older Adults

18th October 2022

Helping Government Fleets Achieve Their Goals

30th September 2022
view all

Webinars


How To: Evaluate Digital Government Service Delivery Technologies

23rd January 2023

Using Technology to Enhance Communications

29th November 2022

Learn the benefits of transforming and automating your Contract Management process

4th November 2022
view all

PODCAST


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

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

GALLERIES


These 10 American cities are well prepared for a tech-based future

1st February 2023

Report: While remote work is causing offices to empty out, walkable cities are still in high demand

26th January 2023

10 American cities with a great downtown

24th January 2023
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

Amid spike, federal transportation department launches initiative to curb traffic-related deaths dlvr.it/Shvs31

3rd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Engaging businesses to strengthen your community dlvr.it/ShvZn0

3rd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Report: Some public employees face financial hardship; comprehensive pay packages proved ‘a pathway toward economic… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

2nd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Strategic Budgeting for Modern Government dlvr.it/ShrHmD

2nd February 2023
AmerCityCounty

These 10 American cities are well prepared for a tech-based future dlvr.it/Shp7sH

1st February 2023
AmerCityCounty

How public health can build a “one health” infrastructure for the future dlvr.it/ShnlKm

1st February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Four Steps to Better Municipal Fleet Fuel Purchasing dlvr.it/ShnbWP

1st February 2023
AmerCityCounty

Report: With increase popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters, there’s a need for ‘safe and connected infrastructure’ dlvr.it/ShlKmJ

31st January 2023

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.