Explore some of the biggest takeaways from our, “2020 Insight Intelligent Technology™ Index: The Impact of COVID-19 on Public Sector Organizational Readiness” report. You’ll learn how prepared public sector agencies felt when they first started adapting to the changes brought on by the pandemic — and how they’re preparing for a new way forward. More: http://ms.spr.ly/6006TaHGp

1. 2020 Insight Intelligent Technology™
Pulse:
The Impact of COVID-19 on Public Sector Organizational Readiness

2. When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in the spring of 2020,
federal, state and local government agencies in the U.S. were
forced to quickly adapt their workforce and operations.

3. Now that the initial shock
has passed, public sector
organizations have a lot to
consider as they move forward:
• How do we create a digital
workforce going forward?
• How do we enable tools for
permanent remote development?
• How do we prepare our physical
spaces for the return of workers
and constituents?

4. The reactive phase
When COVID-19 hit, many public sector agencies had to change their
operations practically overnight — and some IT professionals found this
abrupt shift challenging.

5. How prepared was your organization to handle
the IT changes due to COVID-19?
Extremely
prepared
Very
prepared
Somewhat
prepared
Not too
prepared
Not at all
prepared
18% 45% 29% 29% 1%

6. Many respondents revealed that the biggest lesson
of their COVID-19 experience thus far has been:
“Always be prepared for the worst.”

7. Dealing with downtime
More than half of IT
professionals stated that
employees experienced
3–4 weeks of downtime
or more while their
organization adapted IT
systems and processes.
No downtime
Less than 1 week
1–2 weeks
3–4 weeks
5–6 weeks
7–8 weeks
Still figuring it out*
4%
11%
31%
30%
17%
6%
1%

8. On average, public sector organizations had to
manage or implement four IT changes in their initial
response to COVID-19.

9. 44% Secure access and data outside the perimeter of their trusted network.
43% Support end-user enablement for remote workers.
41% Deliver collaboration tools and voice communication for remote workers.
38%Establish online/virtual access to in-person services/forms.
37%Identify or set up new IT systems.
Top 5 changes public sector IT professionals had
to manage or implement due to COVID-19

10. State and local IT professionals were more likely to
state they had to change or implement application
access than federal IT professionals.

11. Shifting budget priorities
How was your organization’s IT budget for the 2020 fiscal year
affected by the needs created by COVID-19?
15% 44% 12% 26% 3%
increased
significantly
increased
somewhat
saw no
change
decreased
somewhat
decreased
significantly

12. Compared to federal IT professionals, significantly more
IT professionals in state or local government agencies
say their budget requirements increased significantly
and their planned budget was insufficient.

13. Planned
budget
sufficiency
Insufficient to cover any additional
needs resulting from COVID-19
Able to cover short-term needs only
Able to cover short-term and some
long-term needs
Sufficient to cover our shor-term and
long-term needs
25%
16%
32%
34%
35%
38%
7%
12%
State/Local Federal

14. The reflective phase
IT professionals re-evaluate
the new or adapted solutions
they have implemented as
well as develop strategies for
what they need to do next.

15. As public sector organizations
emerge from the initial phase of
COVID-19, they’re re-evaluating
their IT priorities.
In particular, they’re placing more
emphasis on automation, remote
IT management, and employee IT
adoption and engagement. Likewise,
IT professionals are charged with
finding forward-facing solutions that
will help employees and constituents
feel comfortable working in their
offices and using services.

16. More than half (53%) of
IT professionals reported
their priorities have been
“very” or “extremely
impacted” by the
pandemic.

17. Before the pandemic, 23% of state
and local IT professionals ranked
“automating employee work
processes and tasks” among their
top three IT priorities. Today, 35%
list it in their top three priorities
and 13% now consider it their top
priority — up from 5% who ranked
it as their top priority previously.

18. 51%
46%
40% 39%
34%
Smart personal
hygiene devices
Smartphone
tracking
Contact or
non-contact infrared
thermometers
Contactless
sensors
Thermal
cameras
Top technologies public sector IT plans
to invest and implement

19. The new normal
Government IT professionals must consider how COVID-19 is going
to change the public sector landscape for good.

20. While the lasting impact will be unknown
for some time, examining IT professionals’
current attitudes can help us imagine
what the new normal might look like.
Insight’s predictions based on reflections
from survey respondents:
• Remote work is here to stay.
• Security remains a top priority.
• IT’s role within the public sector will
become even more significant.
• Certain values will become more
ingrained in organizational cultures.

21. Remote work is here to stay.
Many IT professionals described a shift in attitudes toward remote work,
expressing surprise about how effective it can be.
“With adequate communicating and collaborating tools in place, software
developers can work at home just as efficiently as they can at work and still
get the job done.”
“We can become full remote permanently.”
“Remote working is an always-on option, not a reactive solution.”

22. Security remains a top priority.
Improving data and network security and recovery was a top priority for
nearly two in five (39%) IT professionals before the pandemic, and it remains
a top priority for 34% today.
“Unsecured home networks are the biggest problem.” — Survey respondent

23. The role of IT will become
even more significant.
Moving forward, 85% of IT professionals
expect IT to take on a “somewhat” or
“significantly greater” role within their
organization.
“In times of crisis ... IT is nigh essential
l... our department acts as a glue that
holds everything together.”
“Invest in the IT sector for best
performance.”

24. Organizational values will reflect an IT mindset.
Flexibility:
“You have to
have tolerance
and flexibility
to adopt new
policies.”
Creativity:
“We can come
out stronger
by adopting
creative counter
strategies.”
Agility:
“We must be
able to pivot.”
Collaboration:
“[The biggest
lesson] is
knowledge
sharing and
peer-to-peer
learning.”
Communication:
“Learn to develop
and implement
solutions to
strengthen
communication.”
Resiliency:
“Be confident
and do not
panic.”

25. Improved continuity plans
More than 80% of
professionals now believe
their organization is “very”
or “extremely prepared” to
handle similar situations in
the future.

26. Get more insights.
Access the full report at ips.insight.com/PublicSectorPulse

27. Methodology
The findings come from an online survey of 200 IT professionals1
in the U.S. working at federal, state or local agencies with 1,000
employees and above. M/A/R/C Research fielded the survey
between July 17, 2020 and August 14, 2020.
1
With the following titles: CIO, CTO, IT director or director of technology

28. About Insight Public Sector
Insight Public Sector empowers organizations of all sizes with Insight
Intelligent Technology Solutions™
and services to maximize the business
value of IT. As a Fortune 500-ranked global provider of Digital Innovation,
Cloud + Data Center Transformation, Connected Workforce, and Supply Chain
Optimization solutions and services, we help clients successfully manage
their IT today while transforming for tomorrow.
Call 1.800.INSIGHT to talk to a specialist, or visit insight.com.