Why Businesses and Government Approach Technology Very Differently

When security and efficiency are some of the biggest benefits to updated information technology, it sounds that IT is something that a governing body should prioritize internally. However, many governments have trouble doing so, oftentimes to their own detriment. Why is that, and what can a business learn from this phenomenon?

Why Government Eschews Technology
Public scrutiny is meant to keep those in office honest and accountable, but it also has an adverse effect - and it is this effect that has bogged down many governments where technology is concerned.

Simply put, it is a fear of being caught with egg on one’s face.

Technology can be challenging. Reactively, many in government are loath to use it for fear of making an error that could create a very visible and embarrassing situation for them and could potentially have lasting repercussions on their career.

While it doesn’t excuse the lack of technological innovation and advancement in government, this consideration does make a little more sense of it. Consider the last time you found yourself in a tough spot thanks to an IT issue. Of course, it was almost certainly frustrating, but could it also have been embarrassing?

This highlights one of the major differences between IT innovation in government and IT innovation in business - there’s a protection that privacy offers in business that simply isn’t present in government. When a mistake is made in either case, there are certainly consequences, but the majority of business mistakes can be kept at minimal exposure - whereas in government, the slightest mistake is newsworthy.

Business Accountability
However, this rule isn’t set in stone. With data being more and more important, businesses are under increased scrutiny as well. Whether a company suffers a data leak or even just offers one of their patrons a substandard experience, standards are being raised. Now, in order to survive, let alone remain competitive, a business needs to ensure that their IT is up to the task.

Washington Works can assist you in this regard. Call 301-571-5040 for more information.