Using the Tungsten Marketplace to Improve Public Sector Data Security

While the business world rushes to embrace the promise of AI and automation, these technologies have applications beyond the private sector. Solutions increasingly find a home in the public sector for government applications at higher levels of government, such as the US federal system and even state or local governments. Solutions from Tungsten Automation and the Tungsten Marketplace actively help foster these transformations.

However, there are risks that governments must bear in mind. At a time of rising and evolving digital threats, safety, security and privacy are paramount. Agencies may face legislative requirements and internal controls to protect sensitive information, ranging from personnel to taxpayer data and beyond.

Let’s examine why a proactive approach to data privacy and compliance is crucial in today’s public sector and explore how Tungsten and Marketplace solutions can help.

Why is Data Security of Such Great Importance?

The security and strength of any computer system aren’t aspects we can take for granted. Information could fall into the wrong hands without a proactive effort to protect it. These risks are why there are many internal regulations and compliance goals for public sector work. As government representatives, it’s paramount to handle information with care.

We can easily see the consequences of what happens when security controls aren’t as tight as they should be. In 2015, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) suffered the most significant data breach in United States government history. Millions of government employee records, including sensitive questionnaire data, were stolen. The consequences of this theft could reverberate into many years ahead for those affected. Such serious data heists emphasize the need for better security, more robust controls and a proactive effort.

Using Workflow Automation to Improve Data Security

Tungsten solutions, including Robotic Process Automation (RPA), can help you work towards a proper implementation of best security practices. Software robots can operate in a secure environment, replicating human tasks without introducing errors. For example, a software robot could securely access information from one portal and move it seamlessly to another application without exposing the data to potential outside threats.

However, following the best practices for deploying such automation tools is also critical. It is vital to be aware of the level of privilege with which robots operate. Ensure that these solutions only interact with the information necessary for their work. Concentrate on appropriate access: consistently allow robots the accessibility to finish their tasks but don’t enable privileges beyond what is strictly required.

Solutions such as RPA can help automate many compliance-related tasks that otherwise require hours of manual work. However, it isn’t the only option. Broader workflow automation solutions from Tungsten can also help.

Marketplace Solutions That Support Security and Compliance

Tungsten platforms such as TotalAgility, RPA, Capture and others can all be essential in preserving document security within public sector organizations. However, there are also ways to extend and adapt that functionality for more targeted security-minded solutions. The Tungsten Marketplace contains a range of solutions suitable to the public sector and based on our platforms. Each solution offers innovative functionality and ensures that you can process data safely and effectively. Let’s explore a few of them.

SF-86 Processing for TotalAgility. The SF-86 is a questionnaire form used when hiring for sensitive positions in the US federal government. This form is the same as those involved in the data breach at the OPM in 2015. With this solution, teams can reduce manual data entry and automate extraction and analysis of the answers from multiple sections of the current SF-86 version. All this occurs within a secure TotalAgility environment so that nefarious individuals cannot exfiltrate data. Gain critical workflow improvements without sacrificing compliance.

The OnDox Digital Mailroom. Government agencies may handle high mail volumes throughout the year, while seasonal spikes may occur for some agencies. Ensuring that sensitive documents only go to the appropriate parties is critical in these environments. Poor compliance can lead to loss of control over sensitive data.

The OnDox tool leverages Total Agility, Capture and Transformation to provide a high-speed, highly secure processing engine for mailroom operations. Built-in access controls allow you to define rules that enable close monitoring and restriction of sensitive information. High-level encryption keeps information under digital lock and key for an additional layer of security that’s a must-have in public service.

Redaction Modules and RedactAI. There are many occasions when government work calls for redacting and releasing information, such as responding to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Improper redactions can lead to severe complications. The Marketplace has two tools that can support goals in this area. The ImageTech Redaction Modules let you build redaction capabilities into a TotalAgility workflow. RedactAI is an advanced tool for workflow automation that supports custom redaction templates, learning on unstructured data, and more. Both provide critical functionality for complying with redaction requirements.

With these and other Marketplace solutions available, public agencies can improve security by building upon the foundation of RPA and workflow automation.

Creating a More Secure Future for the Public Sector

The public sector isn’t immune to the threats that face today’s digital systems. As we’ve seen, such systems are currently active targets. Across every level of government, agencies must take a proactive role in preserving security to achieve better efficiency. Boosting productivity and automating workflows with RPA and other tools can create substantial benefits—but you must access those benefits with care.

Tungsten platforms always prioritize security. You can enhance those baseline protections with additional solutions from the Tungsten Marketplace. With these solutions, you can achieve critical process improvements without sacrificing safety. Advanced platforms such as TrombaAI and better redaction and document processing tools contribute to a more compliant and secure setting. Explore what’s possible and consider how to reinforce your agency against today’s threat landscape.