Key Technology Trends of 2012 and What to Look for in 2013

In the past year, government offices saw many technological changes improve their efficiency and preview future working styles. According to a new report by GovLoop.com, “The GovLoop Guide: Government Technology Year in Review 2012,” government workers and experts identified cloud computing as one of the top technology trends in 2012, and one likely to influence day-to-day work in the future. Government officials also noted mobile technology and the ability to bring your own devices (BYOD), as future trends.

“Where I see the federal government going today is to a mobile workforce. Mobile in that they can take their devices with them. Walk down the hall and have conversations with people and have instantaneous meetings because you could loop anyone via a virtual conference. Plus, if they have their devices they have their data with them,” said Malcolm Jackson, Chief Information Officer at the Environment Protection Agency.

Government officials also agree that while cloud computing and BYOD have great potential as tools for work efficiency, they also create the potential for security risks. Alongside technological advances themselves, officials agree a highly skilled government workforce, especially in IT and techniques to strategically utilize technology, is necessary to fully implement new technology and secure against risk.

To see what other technological advances are expected in 2013 and made in impact in 2012, click here to view the rest of GovLoop.com’s latest technology in review report.