Page 32 - Federal Computer Week, January/February 2019

Commentary|BY MIKE MAIORANA
What’s driving federal IT in 2019
MIKE MAIORANA
is senior vice president of public sector at Verizon Enterprise Solutions.
Disruptive technologies, customer experience and security are coming to the fore in the federal IT landscape
Over the years, we have seen
the federal IT landscape evolve, and this year will be no different. In 2019, we will continue to see federal agencies move full speed ahead with technology that will allow government to enhance citizen experiences and prepare for emerging technology.
Six key trends will emerge in the federal space in 2019.
1. Investing in strong networks. Reliable, secure, high-capacity networks will remain a priority for agencies this year. CIOs recognize how dependent application performance is on the network. Further, as more agencies migrate to the cloud, network performance becomes critical for productivity and citizen engagement.
2. Leveraging disruptive technologies. Agencies will
make sure they are positioned
to capitalize on technologies
such as 5G networks, artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, and automation. Many
of those technologies have now moved from concept to reality, and federal CIOs will discover how those innovations can enable better business outcomes.
3. Refocusing on the customer experience. Citizens increasingly demand better experiences
as they interact with public
and private entities, and the Trump administration has set a goal to improve the customer experience provided by the federal
government. In order to meet that goal, agencies will use data and AI to better engage with constituents and provide better services. Further, with AI infiltrating customer experience, there’s a greater opportunity to put citizens at the center by personalizing the experience.
4. Redoubling security efforts.
In 2019, security will remain a
As more agencies migrate to the cloud, network performance becomes critical for productivity and citizen engagement.
focus, and CIOs will redouble
their efforts by adopting network- level security measures. In some ways, it will be a “back to basics” approach to understanding the
risk environment and making sure the proper IT hygiene routines
are in place to protect against vulnerabilities. But CIOs will also use data to drive insights and make decisions about how to mitigate security threats.
5. Putting privacy front and center. The federal government is in the unique position of handling millions of pieces of sensitive data — from the personal information of an estimated 2 million federal
employees to citizens’ tax information to the health records of military service members and veterans. Individuals are more aware than ever of privacy risks and want to know how their
data is used, which means that in 2019, federal agencies will make protecting data a priority for their security plans.
6. Embracing software-defined networking. In 2018, we saw SDN begin to transform business opportunities around the world. In 2019, federal CIOs will further embrace SDN and the many options that it enables, including the increased agility and flexibility to meet individualized needs in a secure environment.
As CIOs continue to balance the workings of government and the business needs of their respective agencies with the requirements
of citizens, they will determine
the best way to take advantage
of new technology. In 2019, there will be an increased reliance on industry for managed services, and agencies will move toward buying technology as a service rather than owning the technology.
Agencies are continuing to incorporate technology solutions in multiple areas of service delivery, and technology providers have an opportunity to help government meet its needs and serve citizens. Agencies will need to pick technology partners that are well- versed in the public sector and able to deliver end-to-end solutions. n
32 January/February 2019 FCW.COM