Security top IT priority for public sector

Posted by Jessie Richards

The changing IT landscape and the new threats it presents have ensured security remains a top priority for public sector executives.

Emerging technologies such as cloud computing have reawakened bosses in the public sector to the dangers they face in the online environment, according to research from IDC Government Insights.

"Given the global nature of IT security threats and the growing number of incidents targeting the public sector, IDC Government Insights foresees that a whole new complex IT security paradigm will emerge in the near future," said Janet Chiew, research manager at the firm.

Decision makers in both the public and private sectors may consider a shift to IT outsourcing in order to acquire the level of expertise necessary to mount a robust response to security threats.

A recent survey conducted by Freeform Dynamics showed almost two thirds of respondents felt that business stakeholders drastically underestimate the importance of IT security.