One IT research firm believes big data and actionable analytics, and hybrid cloud computing are two key cloud computing technology trends for smart government. According to Gartner, Inc. (IT), social, mobile, cloud and information are forces driving innovation in the government sector.

Within these four categories, Gartner said there are ten strategic technology trends for smart government, including personal mobile workplace, mobile citizen engagement, big analytics and actionable analytics, cost-effective open data, citizen-managed data, hybrid IT and cloud, Internet of things (IoT), cross domain interoperability, and BPM for case management gamification for engagement.

Big data and actionable analytics, and hybrid cloud computing, however, may stick out as opportunities for many  cloud services provider (CSPs).

With regards to big data and actionable analytics, governments are having difficulty with managing and processing issues that exceed the capabilities of traditional IT, the IT research firm said.

Gartner added that the difficulties remain in governments finding a product that can leverage big data to gain business efficiencies, while also reducing costs.

Governments are now focusing on on pursuing a hybrid cloud approach, where agencies are moving away from developing internal cloud services and shifting toward purchasing commercially provided but governmentally restricted services, Gartner said.

For the government sector, the main objectives for “pushing cloud adoption have been cost reduction, speed of procurement and deployment, and responsiveness to regulations and needs for cost cutting,” Gartner said.

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