Modernizing Government IT Infrastructures: Integrating ASP.NET Core in the Broader Context of Legacy Systems Transformation and Digital Public Sector Evolution

Abstract

This research article examines the nexus between modern software technologies—specifically the evolution from ASP.NET to ASP.NET Core—and the broader imperative of modernizing legacy information technology (IT) infrastructure within government and public sector organizations. The contemporary digital transformation landscape is marked by an urgent demand for scalable, secure, and future‑ready technological frameworks that enable the delivery of efficient citizen‑centric services, firefight technical debt, and align government digital capabilities with global benchmarks. Integrating theoretical foundations from public administration technology adoption research and grounded analysis on legacy system modernization strategies, this comprehensive study situates ASP.NET Core’s evolution within the broader systemic pressures affecting digital government. Drawing on a spectrum of literature, including empirical findings on legacy systems’ impacts on public sector performance (Irani et al., 2023), governance challenges highlighted by accountability institutions (United States Government Accountability Office, 2016), and strategic frameworks for modernization (Gartner, 2019), we elaborate on the potentials, challenges, and implications of adopting contemporary development frameworks. Through extensive discourse on technical debt, cloud migration rationales, public value theory, digital maturity models, and governance performance metrics, we underline both opportunities and risks associated with adopting ASP.NET Core as part of a holistic modernization strategy. This article contributes a multidisciplinary perspective linking software engineering innovation with public administration imperatives, informing scholars, policymakers, and technology leaders navigating the complex pathway of IT reform in government contexts.