07.09.11
Public sector IT is restricted say experts
Red tape is restricting IT in the public sector, a panel of experts suggest.
The group of public sector professionals believe that opportunities with innovative technology are being missed due to barriers in implementation.
Fear often stops businesses making use of this technology, as it can be easily misused. Companies restrict the internet to stop people wasting time and getting distracted from their work. Yet the rise of smart phones means many people have unlimited web access to hand at all times.
James Brown, head of communications, marketing and engagement at Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust said this is stalling modernisation: “IT development is happening but it is very slow, in terms of the technology and systems we are 10 years behind the commercial sector.
“Our IT systems are good and our web developers are good but when they can’t access YouTube there's a problem.”
Jon Toothill, services director at Lightbox Education, said: “A good example of these excessive restrictions can be seen in schools. Schools’ access to information on the web is very limited, so YouTube and social media access is very restricted. However there are a lot of initiatives for teachers to share their knowledge and best practice, and these are the best channels to achieve this.
“There is a definite conflict of trying to control what people can do to prevent them wasting time but also giving them access to things that can help them to improve and develop.”
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