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New survey from CompTIA’s Public Technology Institute offers insights on IT training, network security and connectivity challenges for local governments brought about by COVID-19

Washington, D.C. – Two-thirds of local government technology leaders report their IT departments are receiving strong support from management as they respond to the daily challenges of maintaining essential constituent services and enabling remote work for employees during the COVID-19 crisis, according to results of a new survey released today from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

Conducted by CompTIA’s Public Technology Institute (PTI) over a 45-day period, the survey reveals what local government IT professionals are currently dealing with amid the coronavirus pandemic and how they are responding to the crisis. Additionally, the survey report provides leadership lessons to be learned and shared among IT professionals in tackling new challenges brought on by the pandemic.

“It is encouraging to see a majority of local governments are willing to share their lessons learned with one another from delivering essential IT services during this unprecedented global crisis,” said Dr. Alan Shark, Executive Director of PTI. “For many, managing new logistical strains and security issues to enable a reliable and safe remote work environment during COVID-19 has shed new light on the critical importance of continuity in IT operations planning for local governments whose functions support essential public safety, healthcare, transportation and utility services.”

Governmentwide, 35% of survey respondents indicated that more than 50% of all jurisdiction employees are now teleworking, requiring IT departments to provide equipment and assistance to other government departments as they ramp up work-from-home capabilities for their staff.

Additionally, as local city and county IT professionals are being asked to support the delivery of essential programs in a constantly changing work environment, just over half of the survey respondents – 51% – feel that their IT department budget will be reduced by the end of 2020 due to the economic impact of COVID-19.

The survey also offers insights from local government CIOs and IT professionals on how to improve security efforts as a result of employees teleworking and areas where training and upskilling is needed for IT staff and non-IT staff in government operations to ensure more seamless operations now and in the future.

Survey respondents included 172 local government Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and other IT leaders. Download the complete survey results report, “IT Operations and Support: COVID-19 and the Local Government IT Response," here. 

About PTI

Established in 1971 by several major national associations representing state and local governments and now powered by CompTIA, the Public Technology Institute (PTI) has been viewed as the focal point for thought leaders who have a passion for the furtherance and wise deployment of technology. PTI actively supports local government officials through research, education, professional development, executive-level consulting services, and national recognition programs.

About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the more than 50 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.