![Data is at the heart of today’s government services. This is reflected in the federal government’s Data and Digital Government Strategy (the Strategy), which highlights its goal to use data, analytics, and technology to deliver simple, accessible services for people and businesses by 2030. As noted in the strategy, Australians expect personalised, integrated, and easy-to-use services from government entities they engage with. Such personalisation, especially across digital channels, is heavily dependent on data. Delivering such services becomes more effective when the data is more accurate and up-to-date. This is where real-time data comes into play. Why? Real-time data is more accurate because it is always up-to-date. This, in turn, improves the customer experience by enabling services to be more dynamic and interactive. However, because batch processing still accounts for the majority of data processing in government ranks, even the most recent data may become outdated when used to deliver government services. Engage with data in motion Batch processing is when the processing and analysis happen on a set of data that has already been stored for a period of time. This may be days, weeks, or even months, which just doesn't cut it for delivering dynamic and interactive citizen services. In recent years, data streaming has emerged as the technology that allows organizations to tap into their data in real-time in order to improve citizen engagement and experience. Event streaming, another name for data streaming, describes the continuous flow of data as it occurs. This enables true real-time processing and analysis for immediate insights. Streaming data distinguishes itself from batch processing by delivering the most up-to-date information when required. Apache Kafka, one of the most successful open source projects, is used by over 70% of Fortune 500 companies today and is well recognised as the de facto standard for data streaming. The open-source nature of Kafka lowered the entry barrier for working with streaming data, allowing companies to easily build use cases and solutions. However, as with all open-source software, there are limitations. Companies often end up spending more to efficiently manage, scale, secure, and evolve the streaming infrastructure. Why are we still using batch processing if data streaming is the future? Batch processing is still simpler to implement than stream processing, and successfully moving from batch to streaming requires a significant change to a team’s habits and processes, as well as a meaningful upfront investment. That is why Confluent has rearchitected Kafka to create a complete platform that provides a fully managed, cloud-native data streaming solution with the ability to turn data events into outcomes, enable real-time apps, and empower teams and systems to act on data instantly. Personalised for the people Confluent’s ability to utilise data as a continually updating stream of events rather than discrete snapshots means that public sector organisations can leverage data streaming to improve citizen engagement by offering personalised, data-driven services and insights. Confluent’s data streaming platform also enables real-time monitoring and analysis of government services and infrastructure, allowing public sector entities to quickly respond to critical events such as natural disasters or public health emergencies. At a more mundane level, Confluent supports data sharing and collaboration among government agencies, facilitating the seamless exchange of information to serve the public better and optimise resource allocation. And, importantly for government organisations, Confluent’s data streaming capabilities can enhance cyber security by detecting and mitigating threats in real time and safeguarding sensitive government data—a critical element in maintaining our national security. Indeed, 53% of Australian businesses surveyed in a recent Confluent study cited security and compliance awareness as the most applicable use cases for data streaming. It should come as little surprise, then, that industry analyst firm Forrester views Confluent as “an excellent fit for organisations that need to support a high-performance, scalable, multi-cloud data pipeline with extreme resilience.” Streamlining service improvement Data streaming is driving greater efficiency in more than three of four companies across Asia Pacific, according to Confluent research. Meanwhile, 65% of IT leaders polled see significant or emerging product and service benefits from data streaming. With this in mind, the potential for the government to do more with its data is clear, and personalisation is top of mind. Personalising citizen service experiences requires knowing who a customer is at any given moment. This is made possible by accessing data in motion, especially across multiple touchpoints. At the very least, this can help citizens avoid having to provide the same information over and over again as they interact with government agencies. And now, with Confluent assessed under the Australian Information Security Registered Assessors Programme (IRAP), government agencies with an Information Security Manual PROTECTED level requirement can use Confluent Cloud across Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Australian government agencies will then be able to gather and share data across departments, offices, and agencies securely and at scale. This means even more government agencies will be able to tap data in motion to integrate information across their applications and systems in real time and reinvent employee and citizen experiences for the better.](https://publicspectrum.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Confluent-Advertorial.png)
Over 200 delegates attended the 6th Annual NZ Government Data on the 7th to 9th of May 2024 at the InterContinental Wellington.
Primarily discussing on practical strategies to maximise data’s potential and enhance decision-making, social and environmental outcomes, and economic growth for New Zealand citizens, the summit also covered data management, digital technologies and cybersecurity, with a specific focus on reshaping the public sector’s service delivery role.
“Good to be able to speak to the people most involved in digitising government for the benefit of all New Zealanders. Not just DigitalFirst but also CustomerFirst,” stated New Zealand Attorney-General & Minister of Defence Hon Judith Collins.
Leaders and advocates affirmed the importance of working together and making systemic improvements to bring about real progress and transformation.
“I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future,” Hon Collins shared in a statement. She emphasised how they are now on the cusp of a digital revolution that has the power to transform the way the government serves New Zealanders.
The event featured 47 speakers who discussed the potential of data governance to bring about transformation. Sponsors also took part in the event and shared their thought leadership to the eager attendees.
“Great to hear the work happening at Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in their partnership with SAS, really interesting case study on modernising their Data Warehouse from Andrew Eckersley, Jason Owen, and Troy Kusabs,” shared RIMPA Global Ambassador Stephen Clarke.
The summit took an intersectional approach to address the unique challenges of data governance and highlighted the significance of efficient data management, privacy, security and accessibility for everyone. Fostering meaningful conversations and informative presentations, the event sparked discussions and inspired action, showcasing the government’s dedication to leveraging data for the betterment of all citizens.
Hon Collins pointed out that the Government is developing a principle-based AI data framework to focus on responsible and trustworthy innovation to improve capability and efficiency for government services.
Bay of Plenty NZ Head of Strategy Richard Faire noted that Deputy Privacy Commissioner Liz MacPherson underscored the importance of managing risks related to data collection, governance and the use of generative AI to prioritise safety and security of our people.
Through the collaboration of influential individuals from various fields, the summit fostered valuable conversations and initiatives focused on harnessing the power of data to improve society. Public Spectrum is set to announce a venue for this annual summit soon, visit our events page for more information.
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.