Digital Transformation and Security Challenges

Agencies Accelerate Digital Transformation Amid Growing Security Demands

Federal agencies are ramping up digital transformation initiatives to meet evolving public expectations and comply with mandates like the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA). However, securely transitioning to modern platforms like Salesforce requires specialized expertise, as highlighted in a new e-book by Own Company.

The push for digital transformation is driven by the need to deliver efficient, modernized citizen services while safeguarding critical data. According to Federal Chief Information Officer Clare Martorana, agencies face a dual challenge: adopting advanced technologies and ensuring compliance with stringent security and regulatory frameworks.

Salesforce, a leading SaaS platform, plays a pivotal role in these modernization efforts, offering tools to replace outdated systems and streamline operations. Yet, moving to such platforms involves more than migrating legacy data. Agencies must also address complex security requirements and ensure compliance with government regulations.

To support secure transitions, companies like Own Company have emerged as key partners in federal digital transformation. Their solutions focus on secure development, data recovery, and long-term archiving. Tools like “Own Accelerate” enable safe and efficient testing within sandbox environments, while “Own Secure” leverages data classification and zero-trust principles to prevent security vulnerabilities. These measures mitigate risks such as insider threats and configuration errors, ensuring sensitive data remains protected throughout the transition process.

Compliance with mandates like the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) protocols remains a top priority. Agencies must safeguard citizen data across services ranging from healthcare to housing assistance while maintaining security and operational efficiency over the data’s lifecycle. Secure backups, compliance audits, and controlled data access are essential for building trust and resilience.

As agencies incorporate AI into their operations, robust data strategies are becoming even more critical. AI-driven tools rely on accurate, real-time data for effective training and decision-making. Own’s backup and archiving solutions help agencies unlock data for AI applications while managing compliance and controlling storage costs.

Ultimately, successful digital transformation requires more than adopting new technologies — it demands a careful balance of modernization, security, cost-efficiency, and alignment with agency missions. By acting decisively and addressing these challenges, federal agencies can meet rising public expectations while maintaining compliance and security.