New research suggests that about a third of IT professionals in the UK public sector are deeply concerned about security challenges brought on by AI implementation. According to a published by SolarWinds, while AI is increasingly integrated into government IT operations, concerns over data privacy ( 48 % ), regulatory compliance ( 46 % ), and algorithmic transparency ( 37 % ) remain key barriers to broader implementation.
The’ Next-Gen Government IT: AI and Observability Insights Report ‘ was based on a December 2024 poll conducted with Market Connections, and gathered insights from 100 English public sector IT decision-makers and celebrities. It examined security threats, AI adoption, modern transformation progress, and IT observability trends, revealing a complex security landscape as government agencies transition toward modern IT infrastructure.
According to SolarWinds UK public sector and defense head Richard Giblin, it is obvious that UK public sector organizations are shifting procedures and workloads to the sky and embracing cross IT surroundings now more than ever. ” But this development, along with increased AI implementation, brings added difficulty in maintaining data safety and regulatory adherence, all while navigating increasingly tight finances”.
In the face of the modern change, security threats and IT control issues increase.
According to the SolarWinds survey, cybersecurity is still a pressing issue for IT managers in the UK’s public sector, with budget constraints ( 23 % ) being cited as the most important obstacle to improving IT security. Additionally, 58 % of respondents described their IT environments as highly complex, making security management increasingly difficult. The general hacker community ( 55 % ) and foreign governments ( 53 % ) were the top source of the most frequent security threat, followed by careless or untrained insiders ( 56 % ). Additionally, according to the report, security issues are rising as organizations transition to hybrid IT environments, with 46 % of respondents reporting significant monitoring and visibility gaps, which increase the risk of misconfigurations and compliance failures.
Only 6 % of UK public sector organizations have completed their change, despite ongoing efforts to do so, 42 % of them reporting that the process is in progress, and 40 % of them said they have only made limited headway. Workforce skill shortages, cited by 58 % of respondents, were identified as a major roadblock, particularly in the defence and security sector, where 73 % expressed concerns over a lack of AI and IT expertise. Data privacy and security concerns ( 51 % ), as well as budget constraints ( 49 % ), and other issues were identified as significant obstacles.
According to the report, observability is extremely important as security measures are being strengthened, with 51 % of respondents claiming that it is essential for online transformation. Enhanced security monitoring ( 73 % ), faster incident response ( 53 % ), and improved data-driven decision-making ( 49 % ) were identified as the key benefits of observability tools. However, despite these advantages, many organisations remain hesitant about full-scale adoption due to privacy concerns ( 67 % ), integration challenges ( 38 % ), and cost constraints ( 21 % ).
The use of AI for technology and observability is also increasing, with 23 % of UK public sector organizations currently using it. Another 40 % of respondents said they were constantly thinking about adopting Artificial, while many others were thinking about it. Speedier issue detection (60 % ), automated threat responses ( 49 % ), and predictive analytics ( 49 % ) are AI’s most widely recognized benefits, all of which improve cybersecurity management. However, concerns over AI risks continue to slow adoption, with data privacy ( 48 % ), regulatory compliance ( 46 % ), and lack of transparency in AI decision-making ( 37 % ) being cited as the most significant challenges.
Looking ahead, digital transformation remains the top priority, with 52 % of IT leaders listing it as their organisation’s primary focus over the next 12 months. However, AI integration ranked lower, with only 30 % identifying it as a major concern, suggesting a more optimistic approach to AI implementation. The studies demonstrate that people sector organizations are carefully investing in AI and IT modernization while keeping security, adherence, and workforce development at the forefront of these work.
