Legacy IT in government: The public sector’s obsolete IT infrastructure

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• March 27, 2023

Outdated and inefficient IT infrastructure has become a major concern for businesses and governments. This issue often leads to frustrating experiences for the public and workers who rely on these systems for their daily tasks. In addition, outdated IT infrastructure can result in increased costs due to the need for frequent repairs, maintenance, and software updates, as well as leaving organizations vulnerable to security risks.

Legacy IT in the government context

It is crucial for the public sector to embrace digital transformation and modernize its IT systems to meet the needs and expectations of citizens in the 21st century. This transformation requires careful planning and strong leadership commitment. The benefits of upgrading are significant, such as improved efficiencies, cost savings, and enhanced security. Developed economies are already well on their way to digitizing their public services, notably Denmark, Finland, and South Korea.

However, upgrading legacy IT systems is not an easy task. It requires significant investment, time, and analysis to ensure a smooth transition. Moreover, there is a need for a cultural shift in the public sector to embrace digital transformation and use new technologies. Many legacy IT systems were designed to work in silos, and integrating them with modern systems can be challenging (if not impossible). As such, organizations must carefully plan the migration process to ensure that it does not disrupt day-to-day operations.

In addition, digital initiatives require a strong buy-in from leadership. It is essential to establish clear goals and objectives, define the project's scope, and secure the necessary budget to achieve them. Strong governance, project management, and effective communication are also crucial for success. Public sector organizations must work with experienced IT professionals who can guide them through the complex process of upgrading legacy systems. More importantly, they need to ensure that the new systems meet regulatory and compliance standards, particularly user consent and data privacy.

Disruptive impact 

Relying on outdated software and hardware systems can pose several challenges. As technology continues to evolve at an exponential pace, the workforce that maintains these legacy systems is gradually retiring or leaving for better opportunities. This trend leaves organizations in a tough spot, as they have to deal with a significant knowledge gap, making it challenging to maintain, update, and troubleshoot these systems effectively.

As vendors reduce the supply of hardware components, the costs of procuring parts will rise, making it more expensive to maintain these legacy systems. Increasing shortages of components will inevitably lead to these systems becoming obsolete and eventually crashing, causing unplanned disruptions that can impact operations and services. These disruptions can worsen security and operational risks, which can be costly to mitigate. In addition, connecting legacy systems with modern Internet of Things (IoT) devices can further increase security risks as both are prone to delays in replacing outdated systems.

There are two potential paths forward. The first is for governments to take a more active role in funding the development of newer, long-lived, or dynamic systems themselves. These investments may involve allocating more resources to research and development efforts and creating more partnerships with academic institutions and private sector entities to help drive innovation. The second path is for governments to make deals with the private sector to benefit from their expertise, such as those with developed cutting-edge technology or with a proven track record of successful implementation of innovative solutions. 

Implications of legacy IT in government 

Wider implications of legacy IT in government institutions may include:

• Increased partnerships and RFP contracts with the private sector to update redundant public sector systems.


• Integration of DevOps (development operations), software that is never regarded as finished and is continuously upgraded.  


• Greater research funding into adaptive software, like the Building Resource Adaptive Software Systems (BRASS) projects by the US Department of Defense.


• Increasing delays and errors amid select government services, leading to long wait times for said services that can potentially impact the overall economy.


• Increased cyber-attacks and data breaches among governments that are slow to digitize their IT infrastructure.


• Erosion of public trust in government systems and decreased engagement in civic activities.


• Older legacy systems preventing governments from making data-driven decisions, hindering economic growth and progress.


• More energy consumption, leading to increased carbon emissions and environmental degradation. 


• Limited access to public services among those who live in rural areas without Internet infrastructure.


• Legacy IT systems requiring a specialized workforce with outdated skills that may be difficult to recruit or retain.

Questions to consider

• Is your government updating its legacy IT systems?


• How can governments partner with companies to develop more resilient IT systems?