An independent survey of C-level federal government executives shows that a majority of federal executives expect the technology changes put in place at their agencies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to become permanent ways of conducting business, even after the pandemic.

The survey, from Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) and conducted by Market Connections, found that an overwhelming majority of survey respondents (84%) reported they are more or just as productive since shifting to remote work, with 82% responding that they expect remote work to continue into the future.

Respondents identified a number of challenges associated with remote work; safely returning to the workplace; and guarding against fraud, waste, and abuse. Asked to assess the challenges they face as a result of the pandemic, respondents registered concern about a range of challenges, including:

• 80% reported they found it extremely or somewhat challenging preventing transmission of the COVID-19 in federal facilities for those who cannot telework;
• 77% reported they found it extremely or somewhat challenging managing federal IT systems to maximize telework;
• 75% reported they found it extremely or somewhat challenging detecting fraud, waste and abuse during the pandemic;
• 74% reported they found it extremely or somewhat challenging protecting government systems from cyberattacks during the pandemic.