Knowledge is vital to development, and advancement is required in the public sector to meet new problems. This year, Public Spectrum provided insights from thought leaders on topics ranging from the potential of criminality in the pension industry to Australia’s housing crisis.

Check out our channel’s opinion pieces provided by our community of public sector subject matter experts:  

Superannuation faces real financial risk

The Australian superannuation business is facing an increasing danger of financial crime, with thieves increasingly focused on stealing both funds and personal information. The industry’s high asset value, low member engagement, and susceptibility to cyber-attacks all contribute to this heightened risk, making collaborative efforts with organisations essential to proactively address emerging crime trends and protect members and the wider community, as outlined in Certified Fraud Examiner, Marlene’s article, “Financial crime in Superannuation: the risk is real”.

Objective hiring challenges in public service

In Australia, public sector employment procedures confront issues in establishing full neutrality, with objective examinations providing the best way of initial screening, while interviews frequently prove inaccurate and biassed. In Corporate Psychologist, Dr Ken Byrne’s article, “Can Public Service Hiring Decisions Really Be Objective”, The consequences of choosing the wrong individual should be the major concern in recruiting activities, emphasising the importance of effective training to improve decision-making quality and prevent bias-related issues.

Anticipating shadow AI evolution

As highlighted in Sekuro CEO, Noel Allnutt’s piece, “Preparing for the next stage of Shadow IT with Shadow AI”, Australia has the potential to lead in responsible AI, with the Australian Human Rights Commission emphasising the need for ethical standards. The rise of Shadow AI, which poses vulnerabilities in the workplace, necessitates a proactive strategy through thorough education and training for workers on secure AI usage, emphasising the significance of people and processes alongside technology in preparing for the future workforce.

Disinformation shapes voice referendum

Australia faced a surge of misinformation in Fivecast CEO, Brenton Cooper’s article, ”How disinformation dictated the Voice referendum and skews public discourse”, with disinformation on social media shaping public opinion. This highlights the broader global issue of disinformation impacting political processes and the upcoming US election, where AI-generated deepfakes pose a serious threat, emphasising the need for authorities to protect the public through early intervention and increased media literacy without compromising free speech.

AI and ML transform backup

AI and machine learning (ML) play an important role in improving data backup and recovery strategies, providing benefits such as predictive analytics to identify data loss risks, automation of backup tasks, and intelligent disaster recovery; the global market for AI in data backup is growing, driven by increased adoption of cloud-based solutions, and the AI-driven storage market is expected to reach $162.5 billion by 2031, highlighted in ManageEngine Product Manager, Thamizh Poonkuil Mozhi’s piece, “The rise of AI and ML in data backup systems”.

Call for comprehensive cybersecurity reforms

Australia’s TikTok ban on government devices, as cited in UNSW Allens Hub for Technology Director, Prof Lyria Bennett Moses’ article, “Australia needs a robust cyber security overhaul—not whack-a-mole bans on apps like TikTok,” raises concerns about broader risks that extend beyond one app and personal devices; a more effective cybersecurity strategy, including education, reporting channels, standards, and cooperation, is required, as is a review of the Privacy Act.

Australia’s quantum strategy unveiled

Australia has announced its first National Quantum Strategy, with the goal of becoming a worldwide quantum industry leader in quantum sensing, quantum communications, and quantum computing by 2030. The policy outlined in Jarryd Daymond’s article, “Australia has a National Quantum Strategy. What does this imply?” is consistent with global efforts, as nations such as the United States, China, and Europe invest billions in quantum research, recognising its economic potential while emphasising the need for responsible innovation to address ethical and security concerns.”

Government needs real-time cybersecurity

Tanium VP, James Sillence, acknowledges the Australian government’s renewed focus on cybersecurity, particularly the Essential Eight strategies, in his article “Why the government’s promise to improve Essential Eight compliance will fail without real-time visibility,” but there is a need for more rigour in compliance assessments, with a shift towards real-time, continuous auditing to ensure effectiveness; additionally, the Essential Eight should be mandated beyond government.

Migrants not housing crisis culprits

As emphasised in Bless Payments Co-Founder Affy Bhatti’s article, ‘Migrants not to blame for Australia’s housing crisis,’ the complex issue of the Australian housing crisis involves factors like supply and demand dynamics, investment activity, government policies, and income inequality. The ongoing debate wrongly uses migrants as a divisive scapegoat; however, genuine solutions demand addressing domestic trends, eliminating supply roadblocks, and tackling econometric issues.

As the public sector faces emerging challenges, perspectives from other sectors will be valuable to those in need. While another chapter comes to an end, Public Spectrum will be back next year with even more knowledge and insights to help the public sector develop and thrive.

For updates and access to the whole list of op-eds, visit our Opinion page. Send us a message today if you’d like to contribute to our learning community. 

Justin Lance Marcel Lavadia

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Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.

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