Unlocking the Power of Federal Data: Why It’s Time to Break Down the Silos

In a compelling commentary on NextGov, Ramakrishnan “Ramki” Krishnamurthy, REI Systems’ data analytics lead, makes a strong case for federal agencies to modernize their data infrastructures. Krishnamurthy argues that isolated data systems are slowing decision-making and diminishing the value of government data, but there’s a solution.

By embracing enterprise data lakes, agencies can unify their vast and varied datasets, allowing for faster insights, better collaboration, and smarter public service delivery. With real-world successes like FEMA’s FEMADex pilot, which dramatically improved analytics and grant processing times, the article shows how this approach can directly benefit citizens and enhance government efficiency.

However, the journey comes with challenges. Krishnamurthy emphasizes the need for strong governance, secure access controls, and a culture that encourages interagency data sharing to avoid turning powerful data lakes into unusable “data swamps.”

Curious how enterprise data lakes could reshape federal operations? Read the full article on NextGov to learn how your agency can transform data from a burden into a strategic asset.