Vulnerabilities in Australia's frontline critical technology have now been revealed in a report from SOTI. The report found that 75% of emergency service workers had experienced issues with their devices, which had reduced or delayed the speed of delivering timely critical care. 

“Recent high-profile system outages are forcing organisations to assess their IT infrastructure, highlighting the urgent need for robust technological resilience," said SOTI vice president of sales APAC Michael Dyson. "IT systems in the emergency services sector are critical and all steps must be taken to ensure ongoing communications and data is secured and maintained. Our research has found that 97% of emergency service teams encounter mobile technology challenges. This indicates that there is significant room for improvement in addressing technology vulnerabilities and disruptions.” 

The situation is exacerbated by the reliance on personal devices by more than half (52%) of first responders, highlighting a significant gap in the provision and management of essential technology. Shared IT resources, such as printers (73%), notebook computers (59%), and rugged handhelds and tablets (57%), further illustrate the fragmented and under-resourced nature of current technological support.

"To ensure the continuity and effectiveness of Australia’s emergency services, organisations must adopt robust, centrally managed and secured solutions. With over half of first responders relying on personal devices, device visibility and control over device issues are not managed remotely by IT teams, making it harder to resolve problems swiftly. It also increases security risks with sensitive information” Dyson added. “By addressing these gaps and providing dedicated, reliable technology, we can significantly reduce device downtime and improve the overall effectiveness of our critical services."

SOTI research also highlights the toll that technological failures have on workers. Nearly half (43%) of emergency services personnel reported increased stress levels due to device issues, affecting their well-being and efficiency in crises. 

"Increased stress levels among frontline workers not only impedes their ability to perform their jobs to the best of their ability but also contributes to higher levels of workplace stress which can contribute to higher rates of staff turnover. The departure of experienced professionals is particularly troubling, as their expertise can be the difference between life and death in critical situations," added Dyson.

According to a report conducted by the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre, almost 60% of nurses and midwives in New South Wales surveyed will leave their jobs in the next five years, which will further contribute to staffing issues in the emergency services sector. This looming shortage underscores the urgent need for reliable technology that supports healthcare professionals rather than hinders them, ensuring that these frontline workers can continue to deliver high-quality care without additional stress and frustration.

“Just as all Australians know they can rely on first responders in times of crisis, so should frontline workers be able to rely on the technology that’s critical to their roles. By ensuring they have access to reliable technology, we can support them in performing their critical roles,” Dyson concluded.

SOTI’s latest report, Digitizing the Frontline: Transformative Technologies in Critical Care, can be downloaded here.

Report Methodology
SOTI’s research was conducted between January 26 and February 14, 2024, via 900 self-completed interviews from nine markets around the world. All interviewees were emergency service workers. The markets represented are the U.S. (100), Canada (100), Mexico (100), the UK (100), Germany (100), France (100), Sweden (100), the Netherlands (100) and Australia (100). 

About SOTI
SOTI is a proven innovator and industry leader for simplifying business mobility solutions by making them smarter, faster and more reliable. With SOTI’s innovative portfolio of solutions, organizations can trust SOTI to elevate and streamline their mobile operations, maximise their ROI and reduce device downtime. Globally, with over 17,000 customers, SOTI has proven itself to be the go-to mobile platform provider to manage, secure and support business-critical devices. With SOTI’s world-class support, enterprises can take mobility to endless possibilities. For more information, visit soti.net.