Even though open source software (OSS) is increasingly important in the public sector, a common question is still: Can we use it?
The answer is yes—government agencies can and do use OSS developed by external sources. Despite some misconceptions, OSS is secure, reliable, and widely adopted when properly vetted.
By embracing OSS, government agencies can benefit from the collective knowledge and innovation of a global developer community, ensuring they stay at the forefront of technology while maintaining cost efficiency and flexibility.
Related post: Can we keep code in a public repository in government?
Further reading:
- Gartner (2018), Hype Cycle for Open-Source Software, accessed 20 August 2024.
- Obama Whitehouse Archives (2016) The People’s Code, accessed 20 August 2024.
- QGEA (Queensland Government Enterprise Architecture) (2020) Open source software guideline, accessed 17 March 2026.
- ——(2022) Digital service standard, accessed 20 August 2024.
