Public Administration in the Cloud: Navigating Challenges

Public administrators today are expected to deliver better service with less resources. It’s a difficult task, but cloud-based solutions make it possible. They reduce infrastructure costs, improve cybersecurity, promote collaboration and much more. But transitioning to the cloud isn’t easy. Budget constraints, compliance requirements and legacy systems often stand in the way.

To better understand these challenges, CentralSquare partnered with AWS to commission a nationwide survey of 93 public administration (PA) professionals. The study, conducted by Cambia Information Group, included in-depth, 30-minute interviews with key agency decision-makers. Respondents represented a wide range of regions, agency sizes and leadership levels – all responsible for technology purchases in their agencies.

What we found was encouraging. Most agencies see the potential of cloud technology, but they’re also feeling stuck. Despite their readiness, four main barriers are holding many organizations back from fully embracing the cloud. In the next section, we’ll break down those barriers and explore how public administrators can overcome them.

The Current Reality for Public Administrators

Public administrators see real value in cloud technology. About 74% of respondents feel ready to take the next step in cloud adoption because they understand its benefits.

• 73% believe it improves collaboration between departments and agencies.
• 66% believe it keeps critical systems live and operational in any disaster.
• 65% believe it enhances the online experience for citizens.

These outcomes matter in public agencies where uptime, teamwork and public trust are everything.

Despite strong interest in the cloud, 71% of public administrators feel stuck. Limited budgets, compliance requirements, interoperability and cybersecurity are common roadblocks.

The hardest part is getting started. Once your agency has momentum, it will help carry you the rest of the way. As our survey showed, agencies farther along in their cloud transition reported more confidence and better outcomes. The key is choosing a vendor that has real-world experience partnering with governments like yours.

CentralSquare is here to help you get unstuck. Our secure, scalable solutions are specialized for public administration, so your agency can move to the cloud with confidence.

Keep reading to explore the top challenges facing other public administrators, and how to overcome them.

Barrier 1: Budget

Budget is the number one barrier public administrators face when moving to the cloud, according to 38% of respondents. Many agencies assume that cloud migration requires steep upfront costs, but that’s a misconception.

In reality, cloud-based solutions (like those offered by CentralSquare) help agencies reduce long-term expenses. Agencies can save up to 30% in IT costs just five years after migrating to the cloud. How is this possible?

Cloud pricing is flexible and scalable, so you only pay for what you use. It also eliminates the need for expensive hardware, server upgrades and ongoing maintenance. That means fewer surprise costs and a more predictable IT budget. Cloud technology simplifies operations and reduces the burden on internal teams, freeing staff to focus on more strategic work instead of troubleshooting outdated systems.

Ultimately, cloud adoption is a smarter investment that brings long-term savings, flexibility and stability to your operations.

Barrier 2: Security

Security is another barrier to cloud adoption, according to 35% of respondents. It’s easy to understand why.

Government offices are prime targets for ransomware attacks. In fact, they are one of the most frequently targeted sectors in the country. Not only that, external attackers succeed 93% of the time. In 2021 alone, cybercrime cost U.S. businesses over $6.3 billion, with $2.3 billion tied to email compromise. Many of these vulnerabilities stem from aging on-prem systems, which often rely on outdated security protocols and require manual patching.

The reality is that modern cloud platforms are more secure than, or at least comparable to, traditional systems. With CentralSquare’s cloud solutions hosted on AWS GovCloud, agencies gain enterprise-grade protection backed by NIST and FedRAMP compliance.

Security is embedded into our system. Our platform includes 24/7 real-time monitoring, AI-driven threat detection, and automatic updates and patches to close security gaps before they’re exploited. This results in more confidence, stronger protection and fewer surprises.

Barrier 3: Interoperability

Interoperability is a growing concern for public administrators, and 32% cite it as a major barrier to cloud adoption. Legacy systems often operate in silos, making it difficult to share data across departments or collaborate effectively. When information is fragmented, processes slow down, visibility suffers, and the public feels the impact.

CentralSquare addresses this challenge head-on. Our solutions are built for connection and collaboration. Agencies that migrate to the cloud with CentralSquare report a 40% improvement in data accessibility. Open APIs and middleware make it easy to share data across ERP, community development, asset management, utility billing, and even third-party systems.

We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we build tailored migration roadmaps based on your IT environment. That means minimal disruption, maximum uptime, and better continuity across departments.

With CentralSquare, your systems stay connected, your teams stay informed, and your community gets better service – no matter how complex your infrastructure is today.

Barrier 4: Compliance

Compliance is a key concern for 32% of public administrators, when considering a move to the cloud. With evolving regulations at the federal, state and local levels, agencies worry about whether cloud systems can keep pace (and whether they’ll be audit-ready when it matters most).

Cloud-based platforms like CentralSquare are built with compliance in mind. Our solutions offer continuous monitoring aligned with FedRAMP, NIST and state-specific standards, so your agency adheres to the latest requirements. We also conduct regular third-party audits and penetration testing for maximal security and compliance.

Advanced data governance tools and role-based access controls ensure only the right people can access sensitive information. And when it’s time for an audit, you’ll have transparent reporting at your fingertips – no scrambling to compile data or prove compliance retroactively.

With CentralSquare, public sector agencies can meet compliance standards with confidence and clarity.

Success from Early Adopters

Early adopters of cloud technology are showing what success looks like. When asked about barriers to cloud migration, 41% of these organizations suggested they’ve moved past common challenges like cost, security and system reliability. They’re no longer stuck. They’re refining their approach and tailoring the cloud to fit their agency’s evolving needs.

Public administrators, like those in Boone County, are embracing cloud technology more and more. They’re improving service delivery, reducing IT overhead and gaining the flexibility to scale. Their success proves that the journey to the cloud isn’t as daunting as it may seem. Once in motion, progress becomes natural and the benefits follow quickly.

“Moving to the cloud significantly reduces management overhead. Now, we can bring flexibility to our operations and improve our short-and long-term budget planning.”

• Tyler Hill, Project Development Specialist for Boone County

CentralSquare is here to guide your journey to the cloud. Whether you’re still evaluating the move or working through early-stage obstacles, we’ll help you get unstuck. With secure, cost-effective solutions and easy integration, we’ll be your trusted partner every step of the way.

The path to the cloud doesn’t have to be hard. You just need the right team behind you. Schedule a discovery call today to learn how CentralSquare overcomes each of the barriers listed above.