Modernizing for the Future: Cloud Adoption in Government and the Balancing Act of Security

by Brian Chidester, Head of Global Strategy & Innovation, Public Sector at Adobe

Governments that embrace cloud adoption with a strategic eye on security and modernization will be best positioned to meet the needs of today’s constituents—and tomorrow’s.

From enabling real-time access to public services to improving operational efficiency, the benefits of cloud adoption are clear. And with today’s governments under growing pressure to deliver seamless, digital-first services to constituents, now is the time to modernize.

However, achieving this transformation at scale—while upholding the highest levels of security and compliance—requires a strategic, measured approach. But before we dive into that balancing act, let’s discuss some of the mission imperatives that are driving the need for cloud modernization. 

The Imperative for Cloud Adoption

Legacy systems remain a significant barrier to agility and innovation across many government agencies. These outdated infrastructures are not only costly to maintain but also lack the scalability and interoperability necessary for modern digital services. As citizen expectations evolve—shaped by their experiences with the private sector—governments must embrace technologies that allow them to be responsive, resilient, and transparent.

Cloud computing provides a path forward. By moving systems and data to the cloud, agencies can:

• Improve service delivery through real-time access and automation

• Scale resources dynamically to meet demand

• Enable innovation through data analytics, AI, and agile development

• Enhance collaboration across departments and jurisdictions

But this transformation is not without its challenges—particularly when it comes to security, privacy, and compliance. Governments are the custodians of sensitive personal and national data. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and frequent, any move to the cloud must be accompanied by a robust security posture. Key considerations include:

• Zero Trust Architecture: Many agencies are adopting Zero Trust frameworks, where trust is never assumed, and verification is continuous—across users, devices, and network traffic.

• FedRAMP and Beyond: Cloud providers must meet stringent compliance standards such as FedRAMP, FISMA, and others, depending on jurisdiction. Agencies must ensure that any solution aligns with these regulations.

• Data Sovereignty: Cloud strategies must account for where data is stored, who has access to it, and how it’s protected—especially in cross-border or hybrid cloud scenarios.

• Resilience & Continuity: Modernization must include contingency planning and disaster recovery, ensuring continuity of services during outages or attacks. 

So how can governments go about making this “leap” into cloud modernization? The good news is, it isn’t a leap at all. In fact it can happen in phases. Let’s take a look. 

Modernizing Legacy Systems: A Phased Approach

Full-scale modernization doesn’t happen overnight. Many successful agencies are taking a hybrid approach, phasing their migration and modernization based on mission-critical needs and risk tolerance. This approach might include:

1. Assessment & Prioritization: Identifying the most outdated systems and evaluating which ones offer the greatest return on investment if modernized.

2. Application Rationalization: Eliminating redundant or obsolete applications and consolidating services where possible.

3. API-Driven Integration: Using APIs to bridge legacy and modern systems, enabling interoperability without complete rip-and-replace.

4. Digital Experience Layers: Implementing user experience platforms that can abstract complexity from backend systems while delivering intuitive front-end services.

A Digital-First Government is a Secure, People-Centered Government

Ultimately, the goal of cloud adoption and IT modernization is not just about efficiency—it’s about people. It's about enabling a digital-first government that can deliver inclusive, secure, and frictionless experiences to every constituent.

This means using modern platforms not only to digitize existing services but to rethink how services are designed, delivered, and measured. It means building trust through transparency, embedding security in every layer of the digital stack, and ensuring that the government remains agile enough to respond to future challenges—be it a pandemic, natural disaster, or the next wave of technological change.

Governments that embrace cloud adoption with a strategic eye on security and modernization will be best positioned to meet the needs of today’s constituents—and tomorrow’s.

Brian Chidester is the Head of Global Strategy & Innovation for Public Sector at Adobe and the host of "The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester" podcast from GovExec. Mr. Chidester holds a B.S. in Communications Studies from Liberty University, is an Advisory Board Member for Digital Government Central, an advisor to the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance at the World Economic Forum, and a member of the Forbes Technology Council.