Local governments manage sensitive citizen data across print, scan, and digital workflows. While agencies invest in cybersecurity tools, many vulnerabilities stem from everyday human actions.

A people-first security culture closes that gap. Here’s how to build one.

Why Government Security Is a People Issue First

Government offices manage:

• Personally identifiable information (PII)
• Court records
• Tax documents
• Public safety data
• HR and payroll files
• Procurement records
• Citizen service requests

While firewalls and endpoint protection matter, research consistently shows that the majority of security vulnerabilities involve human factors: misdirected emails, weak passwords, unsecured print jobs, or lack of awareness.

n government environments, the risk is amplified because:

• Workflows are often manual and paper-heavy
• Departments operate in silos
• Legacy systems are common
• Public-facing counters create constant document movement
• Staff turnover and elected official changes disrupt consistency

Security culture must extend beyond IT. It must live in everyday workflow behavior.

Step 1: Secure the Printer — The Most Overlooked Risk Point

In many government offices, printers and MFPs function as document hubs:

• Court filings printed and scanned
• Permits processed
• HR onboarding packets
• Procurement contracts
• Police reports
• Public records requests

Yet devices are often:

• Open-access
• Using default credentials
• Not requiring user authentication
• Storing images of previous jobs
• Unmonitored for unusual activity

What a People-First Approach Looks Like:

• Role-based access control at devices
• Secure print release (badge/PIN authentication)
• Automatic deletion of stored jobs
• Clear desk policies
• Staff training on proper scan destinations

Technology enables it — but employee understanding sustains it.

Step 2: Simplify Workflows to Reduce Human Error

Complex workflows increase risk. If employees must: Scan → email → download → re-upload → manually rename → refile

They will eventually take shortcuts, and shortcuts create vulnerabilities.

Instead:

• Automate document routing
• Standardize naming conventions
• Integrate with case management systems
• Use centralized repositories
• Limit manual file transfers

When workflows are streamlined, compliance becomes the default behavior, not the exception.

Step 3: Train Beyond Compliance Checklists

Annual security training isn’t enough.

A people-first culture requires:

• Micro-trainings tied to real government scenarios
• Department-specific workflow education
• New employee onboarding protocols
• Refresher sessions after system updates
• Clear reporting pathways for suspected risks

Example scenarios that resonate:

• “What happens if a resident’s tax return is left at the printer?”
• “How do you securely process a public records request?”
• “Who should access sealed court documents?”

 Training must feel practical, not theoretical. 

Step 4: Break Down Department Silos

Security fails when:

• IT secures systems
• Clerks process documents
• HR manages personnel files
• Courts manage case records
• Public Works processes permits

— and none of them coordinate workflow standards.

A unified approach includes:

• Cross-departmental security alignment
• Shared policies
• Centralized device management
• Standardized document retention policies
• Visibility into workflow bottlenecks

Security culture thrives when accountability is shared.

Step 5: Balance Accessibility with Protection

Government offices must remain accessible. Citizens need services quickly and transparently. But accessibility without guardrails creates risk.

A people-first security model balances:

• Public access vs. internal access controls
• Transparency vs. confidentiality
• Speed vs. verification
• Remote access vs. device governance

Security should support service — not obstruct it.

The Trust Factor

In government, security isn’t just operational. It’s reputational. A data incident in a local municipality can:

• Damage public trust
• Trigger legal exposure
• Impact elections
• Create compliance investigations
• Increase insurance costs

Citizens expect their data to be handled responsibly. That responsibility starts with workflow culture.

What a Modern Government Security Culture Looks Like

A people-first government workflow environment includes:

• Secure print infrastructure
• Encrypted scan workflows
• Role-based access
• Automated routing
• Audit trails
• Document lifecycle management
• Ongoing employee education

Technology supports it. Processes reinforce it. People sustain it.

Final Thought

From City Hall to the Courthouse, the strongest security defense isn’t just software. It’s behavior.

When government workflows are designed around people — and people are trained to protect data intentionally — security becomes embedded into daily operations. And public trust remains intact.

Want to explore more on creating a people-first security culture? Contact SumnerOne today.