Government In The Information Age

Alvin Toffler 1928 - 2016 

Thirty-six years ago, American writer and futurist Alvin Toffler wrote his famous The Third Wave, outlining the inevitable transition from a “Second Wave,” characterized by an industrial society, to a “Third Wave,” characterized by what he calls the “Information Age.”

The Information Age, as Toffler described, is defined by the shift from traditional industry that the Industrial Revolution brought through industrialization, to an economy based on computerization or digital revolution.

Though written years ago, we can clearly see Toffler’s predictions come to life today, through the digitalization of our lives and the globalization of business. And yet, archaic “industrial society” systems of personal identification, economic transactions and business registration still fiercely limit the opportunities of governments and the citizens they serve.

In today’s digital world, a global economy defined by state borders and the citizenship of its participants no longer makes sense. Many small companies have a desire to market their goods and services across continents, small countries seek larger consumer populations, digital nomads roam the world freely and one business transaction can involve a contract signed by people located in multiple countries.

Individuals who want and need to participate in this global economy require a secure way to verify themselves online, run a business from anywhere in the world and trade in multiple markets freely. Governments must be up to the task of providing digitally oriented services for these individuals or risk becoming obsolete — “increasingly out of date, unable to cope with today’s complexities,” as Toffler phrased it.

Now is the time for governments to stop dragging their feet and fighting progress.

When Estonia regained its independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union, it immediately identified the difficulty of physically serving a small population spread across a large territory (Estonia has a bigger geographic footprint than the Netherlands or Switzerland). It is not realistic to put a bank branch in every small town, or have a full-service government office in each village. As a result, both the private and public sectors decided to bet on the development of digital solutions and e-services.

The country also recognized that in order to compete economically as a small country in a new digital world, it needed to seek a competitive advantage by fostering a business climate that produced innovative technology. One of the ways Estonia was able to successfully achieve this goal and produce companies such as Skype was for the government to offer technology-driven services that empowered the innovation taking place in the private sector. Today, 25 years since independence, Estonia has one of the most developed national digital infrastructures in the world.

The Estonian government has put digitalization at the center of public services, including digital ID cards for all residents, online voting and the online submission of tax returns, which takes two minutes to complete on average. In 2015, more than 800 institutions offered around 1,500 public e-services in Estonia. As an Estonian citizen, I use my digital identity to log in to government services and digitally sign any contract, meaning that I can feel closely connected to the country as a citizen even when I am not physically in the country.

In 2015, the Estonian government took its Government as a Service approach to another level by opening up its digital ID program to people around the world, regardless of their citizenship. This experiment of expanding digital government services beyond the borders of the nation-state and providing access to people internationally that may otherwise be digitally or financially excluded from the global economy resulted in the establishment of the Estonian e-Residency program.

Just a year since launching into beta, the program has grown Estonia’s economy like immigration never could — enabling people around the world to register an Estonian company online within a day, open an Estonian bank account, have access to payment service providers and digitally sign documents and contracts.

Establishing what is essentially a state-run app store can redefine how governments around the world interact with people, and vice-versa.

As of May 2016, 558 new companies have been created by e-Residents, and 1,150 e-Residents use e-Residency to administer their company. The more people and companies engaged with the Estonian business environment, the more clients there are for Estonian companies. For example, when an e-Resident establishes a company, that company will likely start using the services offered by Estonian companies, like banking, payment services, accounting support, legal advice, asset management, investment advice, etc.

As Estonia’s experience demonstrates, establishing what is essentially a state-run app store can redefine how governments around the world interact with people, and vice-versa. The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, an American think tank headed by Robert Atkinson, recently released a report highlighting the positive effects, as well as barriers to government, of embracing digital infrastructure and taking advantage of the economic opportunities that come along with it. Atkinson and his team list the effects of such an initiative as:

  • Capacity expansion: increased use of both existing and new infrastructures.
  • Time savings and convenience: reduce congestion, simplify operations and enable more informed decision making.
  • Cost savings: minimize waste, boost efficiency and create more flexibility in the provision of key services.
  • Improved reliability: reduce unpredictability and interruptions in the provision of key services.
  • Enhanced safety: improve resiliency to threats and interruptions.

Atkinson concluded that, “Information technology is creating a smart world — from smart enterprises to smart schools to smart cities. It’s time for societies to accelerate the creation of smart infrastructure.” He goes on to say, “But without a clear and articulate goal of transforming traditional infrastructure into digital infrastructure, and the associated policies needed to do that, this needed transition will lag.” I couldn’t agree more, and this has certainly been something the Estonian experience confirms.

We are now firmly in Toffler’s “Third Wave,” a future where individuals can conduct business in a digital world in which physical location matters little. Now is the time for governments to stop dragging their feet and fighting progress. It’s time for entrepreneurs and capable developers to gather their efforts to help digital government programs reach their full potential.

Techcrunch

« Edward Snowden’s Lawyer Wants Obama To Give Him A Pardon
Frankenstein’s Paperclips »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Gartner insights into How to Select the Right ZTNA offering. Download this FREE report for a limited time only.

Okta

Okta

Okta is an enterprise-grade identity management service, built from the ground up in the cloud to address the challenges of a cloud-mobile-interconnected world.

Teneo

Teneo

Teneo is a Solutions Provider focused on reducing complexity. We combine leading technology with deep expertise to create new ideas on how to simplify IT operations.

Andrisoft

Andrisoft

Andrisoft develops WANGUARD, an anti-DDoS Software solution that monitors IP traffic using packet-based and flow-based Sensors, and protects networks

Cobwebs Technologies

Cobwebs Technologies

Cobwebs Technologies provide web intelligence solutions for Law Enforcement (including cybercrime), Intelligence Agencies and Federal Agencies.

National Authority Against Electronic Attacks (NAAEA) - Greece

National Authority Against Electronic Attacks (NAAEA) - Greece

The National Authority Against Electronic Attacks (NAAEA) is the national computer emergency response team of Greece.

InnoSec

InnoSec

InnoSec is a software manufacturer of cyber risk management technology.

Saudi Federation for Cyber Security and Programming (SAFCSP)

Saudi Federation for Cyber Security and Programming (SAFCSP)

SAFCSP is a national institution under the umbrella of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee, which seeks to build national and professional capabilities in the fields of cyber security and programming.

ZenMate

ZenMate

ZenMate is a Virtual Private Network services provider offering secure encrypted access to the internet.

Digi International

Digi International

Digi is a leading global provider of mission-critical and business-critical machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity products and services.

Zero Networks

Zero Networks

With Zero Network, you can achieve affordable, airtight network access security at scale.

Inceptus

Inceptus

Inceptus is a next generation Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). We are dedicated to keeping our customers safe, secure and protected while doing business on the Internet.

Meterian

Meterian

The Meterian Platform is a fuss-free solution to protect you against vulnerabilities in your app’s software supply chain.

AirEye

AirEye

AirEye is a leader in Network Airspace Protection (NAP). Block attacks against your corporate network launched from wireless devices in your corporate network airspace.

BridgingMinds Network

BridgingMinds Network

BridgingMinds Network is an industry leading best practices and IT security training provider in Singapore.

Brennan IT

Brennan IT

For over 25 years, Brennan’s expert team has helped businesses achieve real success through innovative and secure technology solutions.

Cyber Defense International (CDI)

Cyber Defense International (CDI)

At CDI, we utilize decades of experience in designing and building large-scale cybersecurity programs, creating tailored solutions and services that protect businesses from cyber threats.