Author Archive
Shawn McCarthy
Shawn McCarthy, a former writer for GCN, is senior analyst and program manager for government IT opportunities at IDC.
Infrastructure
Sea change at NIST aims to ease agencies’ tech adoption
Recent modifications to IT standards confirm a changing approach to security, interoperability, and performance metrics by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Cybersecurity
5 trends that will drive IT management in 2015
2015 is shaping up as a year when data analytics, ubiquitous video, and cyber forensics will force government IT managers to make decisions about how they deploy their resources.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
Workflow key to case management in the cloud
Using a workflow management system as the foundation of a cloud-based case management solution is a way to simultaneously leverage the cloud and deliver a more robust case management system.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
In a world of integrated services, hybrid cloud is king
The hybrid approach to cloud adoption is likely to continue to expand as public cloud usage in government accelerates and more integrators build turn-key solutions from a mash-up of multiple cloud services.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
How a chief collaboration officer can help IT projects succeed
In recent years, some progressive companies have hired a chief collaboration officer to help guide joint projects, partnerships and shared services. A CCO is a great idea, one that government agencies are starting to explore.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Cybersecurity
The future of government ID cards
Employee IDs cards are incorporating some relatively mature technologies that increase the level of interaction and tracking potential.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Digital Government
The power of government big data: It's all in the use cases
A use case shows how big data can be used, what business need can be met through that use and what needs to happen in order to make that use case a reality.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
The IT domino effect: First big data, then mobility, cloud…
Anyone who manages IT systems knows technology change can have a domino effect across an entire organization. Be prepared for the influx of new data and new devices.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Digital Government
Big data: Will you know it when you see it?
IDC offers criteria for identifying the volume, variety and velocity of big data so that growth, changes and technology preferences can be measured and analyzed.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
Is the cloud the next stop for enterprise risk management?
Cloud-based governance, risk and compliance solutions are a logical step for agencies that need to address new rules, consolidate systems and serve their mobile workforce.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Digital Government
Is PortfolioStat limping toward success?
The PortfolioStat program for setting agency IT project management priorities has had a choppy two-year history but may now be finally showing a glimmer of success.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
Mind your mobile: 2014's challenges (and solutions) for mobile government
Secure devices, virtualized mobile solutions and the Internet of Things will be at the top of mind for government IT managers.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
Government IT in 2014: More connections, more exposure, more risk
Agencies should expect to see more authentication, increased use of private clouds and the spread of smart city technologies in 2014.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Cybersecurity
Agencies must put more emphasis on automation
Defending against the steady growth in cyberattacks requires continuous monitoring and automated responses, and that could mean shifting resources.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
E-authentication: What IT managers will be focusing on over the next 18 months
The moves to cloud computing and shared databases are among the factors driving e-authentication.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
Overlooked questions to ask before jumping into the cloud
Agencies can tap into a wide range of on-demand services by tackling a few key questions upfront.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
Why government's move to the cloud has gone stagnant
The government is spending less on cloud technology this year, but a coordinated move to cloud in a logical way should pay big dividends for agencies after 2104.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Cybersecurity
12 steps that can help agencies fight DDOS attacks
As denial of service attacks become more frequent and powerful, agencies need to take steps to prepare, from new arrangements with ISPs to establishing low-bandwidth alternate communications.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Cybersecurity
When DDOS attacks become real threats
Servers being bombarded by requests is a nuisance, but when attacks come in conjunction with an emergency, they can lead to trouble.
- By Shawn McCarthy
Infrastructure
Data analytics: a perfect investment for tight budgets
Analysis projects can pay off in improved agency performance, proactive management and a better handle on day-to-day operations.
- By Shawn McCarthy