IT security in the public sector is more important than ever.

In today’s increasingly complex digital world, cybersecurity is no longer optional - especially for the public sector.

Cyberattacks are no longer a matter of if, but when. That’s why it’s critical for public institutions to take cybersecurity seriously and put strong measures in place to protect citizens’ data and essential systems.

The threat is bigger than ever

Public institutions are prime targets for cybercriminals. They hold vast amounts of sensitive citizen data and run systems that are critical to society. Common threats include:

DDoS attacks, where websites are flooded with traffic and forced offline.

Phishing campaigns, where attackers trick employees into revealing login credentials.

Data breaches, where confidential information is stolen and sold on the black market.

Hybrid warfare, where hostile actors use cyberattacks as a digital weapon against public institutions.

These kinds of attacks can have serious consequences. Beyond financial losses, they can erode public trust - and in the worst cases, disrupt critical services like healthcare, education, or emergency response.

Public sector technology is falling behind

One of the biggest cybersecurity challenges in the public sector is technical debt. Many agencies still rely on outdated systems and are slow to adopt modern solutions like cloud and AI.

Often, this hesitation comes from concerns about data security or lack of trust in third-party providers. But when new technology is used informally by individual employees - without a clear strategy or oversight - it can actually increase risk.

I’ve seen firsthand examples of public institutions claiming they don’t use AI, while their systems show they’ve uploaded 10 GB of data to AI-based services.

My clear recommendation: Develop a structured AI strategy that ensures technology is used responsibly, securely, and with proper oversight.

When it comes to cloud security, companies like Microsoft are investing heavily in protecting customer data. In fact, platforms like Azure often offer better security than traditional local data centers.

Failing to modernize IT infrastructure makes public agencies more vulnerable to attacks -because it prevents them from using the advanced security tools and AI-powered defenses built into today’s cloud platforms.

Key cybersecurity priorities

To strengthen cybersecurity in the public sector, I recommend focusing on these key areas:

1. Stronger identity and access control: Use tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and conditional access.

2. Better data protection: Encrypt sensitive information and enforce strict access controls.

3. Employee training: Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. Public employees should be trained to spot and handle threats, and to use new technologies safely.

4. System updates: Move away from outdated systems and adopt modern, secure platforms.

Cloud is part of the solution - not the problem

Many public sector decision-makers still see the cloud as a risk. But the truth is, cloud solutions can significantly improve IT security.

Microsoft’s cloud services are already approved for public sector use in Denmark and meet far higher security standards than most on-premises setups.

At a time when protecting citizen data and critical infrastructure has never been more important, my strong recommendation is this: Public institutions need to take a more open approach to cloud solutions, explore the latest in security technology, and invest in both tech and training.