Public-Sector-State-Budget-Shortfall-impact-improved digital services and cybersecurity

Online services, such as driver’s license renewals or accessing public-health information, jumped two
places this year to rank second in the annual listing of state IT priorities compiled by NASCIO. Broadband
access climbed to the fourth spot, its highest ever ranking, driven by increased demands to support
remote work, home schooling and other issues sparked by lockdowns and travel restrictions.
Cybersecurity topped the list for the ninth year in a row, the group said. The rankings are determined by
member votes.
Throughout the year, many public-sector IT leaders were forced to balance ongoing efforts to update
aging systems with emergency needs.
Recent shifts to cloud computing helped carry the added load without overwhelming available capabilities,
while enabling agencies to rapidly deploy communications and collaboration software and other
applications.
“Public-sector agencies will have to continue the migration to the cloud to accommodate their work-fromhome
staff,” said Daniel Castro, vice president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation,
a Washington-based tech policy think tank.
Mr. Castro said a breach earlier this year of computer systems at multiple federal agencies, disclosed this
week, will likely focus greater attention on state IT security efforts.
The attacks, which included the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments, are believed to be part of
a global cyber-espionage campaign targeting key public-sector agencies.
While cyberattacks typically exploit security weaknesses or poorly guarded systems, he said,
“organizations with good security practices still fell victim.” Mr. Castro said the attack could prompt some
public IT security leaders to adopt strategies such as a zero-trust model, which involves narrowing
cybersecurity efforts to the level of individual applications, rather than an entire network—a safer, but
costly shift.
New Hampshire's Mr. Goulet said security breaches and ransomware attacks hamper the ability for state
and local governments to provide essential services, including pandemic-relief efforts.
“Almost every day we’re reminded that we must remain ever vigilant,” he said. “No one is immune.”