Covid and ICT: why ICT has been essential during the pandemic
During the recent Covid-19 pandemic, ICT (Information Communication Technology) has played a crucial role. Thanks to computers, the internet, and all the other infrastructures connected to that sector, Italy has continued to ‘function’ even at the height of lockdown.
This emergency has however highlighted the fragility of Italian ICT systems, with the frequent overload of lines, extensive portal and website down time, inadequate network structures and many other issues, which had not seemed that significant before.
ICT supporting the country in the fight against COVID
Information and Communications Technology is an umbrella term for technologies related to integrated telecommunications systems, computers, software and multimedia equipment; the main functionalities of which allow users to exchange and store information.
Such versatility has enabled public administrations, companies and private individuals to remain operative by ensuring that services were provided remotely during the COVID crisis. This digital approach has required the resolution of numerous issues, but it has nevertheless turned out to be a decisive step for those who have chosen it.
State workers have, for example, experimented with smart working, by working from home using their PC or other devices. Where possible, various types of companies have re-organised in order to make their production processes more ‘smart’, by providing their staff with the necessary tools. Students’ education has been able to continue online thanks to webinars and ad hoc courses, using specific platforms for digital communication.
People have started to appreciate the internet and some of its functionalities in particular, which they had never previously considered; during lockdown in fact, video calls, group chats and other similar services have proved to be essential tools, to boost morale at least.
Italian ICT and its limits
Despite the many advantages brought by ICT during the peak of COVID, several problems also emerged, linked to digital communication infrastructures. The most critical issue was undoubtedly Italy’s severely limited national network coverage.
The plan to extend ultra-broadband to cover the entire Italian national territory by 2020 has unfortunately been put on hold. This has resulted in the almost total isolation of rural areas (often without ADSL either) and a lot of network overloading in the big cities. This is a somewhat worrying situation, which underlines the fact that the relevant institutions really need to take action immediately to improve and extend largescale access to fibre optic connections.
In addition to connections, adequate data centres able to meet the (ever growing) needs of the public administration are required. The conversion to digital of many services offered to citizens requires the use of specific instruments such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain and cloud computing.
ICT security is of paramount importance. During the quarantine, a large number of digital attacks took place, which threatened to compromise the already complex task of providing citizens with essential services. Allocating resources to improve the defences of the most important systems is therefore crucial.
Finally, another aspect that Italy should bear in mind if it wants to incentivise ICT more effectively, is appropriate training for the relevant staff. The presence of highly-trained ICT experts in companies and state departments is essential in order to guarantee that everything runs smoothly.
By following these steps, Italy can achieve European ICT standards and relaunch its economy, which has been hard hit by the COVID crisis.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
