Just when we were feeling so good about all the fantastic new tools available to the government--Web 2.0, cloud computing, virtualization, open source software, and mobile devices--there's word that IT managers have some real concerns.

A survey released last week of 217 federal IT managers conducted by the Ponemon Institute for software vendor CA found that a high percentage of government executives are concerned about the security risks of these new tools, and the potential compromise of confidential or sensitive information.

The study, for example, found that 79 percent of respondents see the rise in the use of collaboration tools as significantly increasing the storage of unstructured data sources that contain confidential or sensitive information that is not adequately protected or secured. It also found that 63 percent were worried about insecure mobile data-bearing devices that are susceptible to malware infections and botnet attacks.

In addition, 52 percent of the respondents said that Web 2.0 applications such as social networking, social messaging, blogging and wikis contribute to the leakage of confidential or sensitive information as well as susceptibility to malware and botnet attacks.

There is obviously no turning back, but it is clear government IT professionals have a big task ahead of them managing all the online data and protecting it as more and more federal information becomes digitized.

As the Ponemon study said, eGov initiatives must be undertaken with proper consideration given to the security of sensitive personal information.

"When we file our taxes, participate in a census, or register for one of the many benefits to which we may be entitled, we do so with the expectation that our public servants will give proper care and respect to the information entrusted to them," the study said.

We agree. This may be easier said than done, but it must be a priority as we move ahead with ever-changing and intriguing 21st century technology. - Judi