Survey: Federal Executives Believe Cybersecurity Measures Hurting Agency Productivity

Citrix Systems Inc. recently announced key findings from a recently conducted survey on the impact of government cybersecurity measures on federal managers.

The Obama administration has made cybersecurity a priority in the federal government, but many federal executives find they are inhibited by cybersecurity at their agency in the areas of information access, computing functionality, and mobility.  Executives report that obstacles caused by cybersecurity measures translate into a reduction of productivity and their ability to achieve their agency's mission.

"The study spotlights the significant trade-off agencies are making in implementing cybersecurity measures which negatively affect workforce productivity," said Bryan Klopack, director of research for GBC. "Surveyed federal executives believe that cybersecurity policies and procedures should be modified to provide more emphasis on the importance of allowing federal managers to achieve their agency's mission."

Key findings from the study include:

  • A majority of federal executives (84 percent) report that cybersecurity measures are affecting their productivity. Key challenges they cite include: discouraging mobility, inhibiting access to information, reducing computer functionality and response time.
  • More than half of respondents (56 percent) indicated that cybersecurity restrictions prevent them from getting information or using applications related to their job.
  • When cybersecurity restrictions prevent federal executives from accessing information they need for their job, they regularly resort to alternative – and often less secure – methods of accessing it.
  • Lack of access and diminished computer performance as a result of cybersecurity negatively impacts productivity for federal executives.  Over half of those surveyed report that cybersecurity restrictions have prompted them to access information from home instead of the office.

"This survey makes clear the challenges the public sector faces every day when it comes to the delicate balance of cybersecurity and productivity," said Tom Simmons, area vice president - US public sector with Citrix Systems. "Today, there is really no need for any trade-off, particularly when we consider the availability of secure, FIPS-compliant, Common Criteria-certified virtualization technologies. Industry can truly help government realize high-level data security with no loss of performance, mobility or productivity."

"Balancing the need for effective security solutions while maintaining employee productivity is clearly a challenge for many Federal agencies today," said Jason Kimrey, area director, Intel Federal.  "At Intel, we are working to enhance automated security features in both hardware and software that provide users with a higher level of security without negatively impacting performance."

 

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.