Influence of System Interoperability on Data Security in Digitised Government Services: Evidence from Public Officers Undertaking the Senior Management Course at the Kenya School of Government, Baringo Campus, Kenya

Governments are increasingly linking their digital platforms so that information can move across ministries, agencies and counties without duplication. Such interoperability improves coordination, yet it also widens the surface through which personal, financial and administrative data may be exposed. This study assessed the influence of system interoperability on data security in digitised government services, drawing on the experience of public officers undertaking the Senior Management Course (Cohort 229/2026) at the Kenya School of Government, Baringo Campus. The study was anchored on the Technology Acceptance Model and Systems Theory and adopted a descriptive design within a convergent mixed methods approach. A census of the 94 eligible participants was conducted using a structured online questionnaire containing closed and open ended items; 84 responses were received (89.4 percent), of which 82 respondents who had interacted with integrated government systems such as eCitizen, IFMIS, iTax and HRMIS were retained for analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression in SPSS version 28, while open ended responses were analysed thematically. System interoperability was rated highly (overall mean = 3.83, SD = 0.80), with coordination across departments (M = 4.02) and the contribution of connectivity to service delivery (M = 3.91) rated highest and smooth exchange of information across systems rated lowest (M = 3.68). Data security recorded an overall mean of 3.50 (SD = 0.97), with the weakest ratings on the minimal occurrence of breaches (M = 2.88) and the adequacy of existing safeguards (M = 3.31). System interoperability had a strong, positive and statistically significant relationship with data security (r = 0.61, p < 0.001) and remained a significant predictor when modelled alongside data sharing practices and access control mechanisms (B = 0.29, β = 0.31, t = 3.22, p = 0.002). The qualitative findings indicated that the security benefits of integration are realised only where connections between systems are supported by encryption, controlled exchange points, user awareness and continuous monitoring. The study concludes that system interoperability significantly influences data security in digitised government services and recommends that ICT units, in consultation with the Ministry responsible for ICT and the Communications Authority of Kenya, strengthen secure integration through encryption of data in transit, controlled and documented data exchange interfaces, periodic vulnerability assessment and interoperability standards that embed security by design.