NASCIO, Center for Digital Government and IBM Release Report on Preparing for Future Shocks

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Lexington, KY., Thursday, September 28, 2023 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and IBM today released a report entitled, Preparing for Future Shocks in State Government. The report is intended to help frame what future disruptions may look like for state chief information officers (CIOs) and how they can effectively tackle them.

 The report includes highlights of over twenty state CIO interviews on the topic of resilience. The interviews uncovered key themes about the threats state governments face and the tools, processes and resources CIOs need to build more resilient organizations. CIOs are facing issues from future public health crises and cyber threats to climate change, workforce shortages and disruptive new technologies. The research looked at how CIOs approach resilience from multiple perspectives: enterprise resilience, IT resilience, workforce and employee resilience and personal resilience.

Doug Robinson, NASCIO Executive Director, commented, “The past few years have presented a multitude of challenges and increased demands on state CIOs. State CIOs have had to be resilient in the face of uncertainty to lead their organizations.

“Responsible AI and Automation are essential elements of state leaders’ IT modernization strategies as they strengthen resiliency,” said Frank Attaie, General Manager for IBM’s U.S. Public Market. “This roadmap will help state CIOs as they extend their capabilities and agility in responding to future disruptions and we look forward to collaborating with them.”

“CIOs play an important and unique role in state government resilience,” said CDG Senior Vice President Teri Takai. “Our research shows they are working closely with traditional emergency management teams for both cyber incident response and physical disaster recovery. They are at the forefront of confronting public sector talent shortages, and leading statewide discussions around technology modernization to reduce threats to critical government services.”

To read the publication, visit NASCIO’s Resource Center.

 

 

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About NASCIO 

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. For more information about NASCIO visit www.nascio.org. 

 

AMR Management Services provides NASCIO’s executive staff.  For more information about AMR visit www.AMRms.com. 

 

Contact
Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

 

About CDG

The Center for Digital Government (CDG) is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. Through its diverse and dynamic programs and services, the Center provides public and private sector leaders with decision support, knowledge, and opportunities to help them effectively incorporate new technologies in the 21st century.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain the competitive edge in their industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

NASCIO Issues Presidential Report on Citizen-Centric Digital Experience

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, September 26, 2023—Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released Creating a Citizen-Centric Digital Experience – How Far Have We Come? This report is a current snapshot of where states are in their journey toward improving the citizen digital experience and a 2023 Presidential Initiative from NASCIO President and Tennessee Chief Information Officer Stephanie Dedmon.

President Dedmon stated, “I made citizen-centric digital experience my presidential priority because the demands placed on states to deliver these types of services cannot be understated. My goal is to provide a roadmap and recommendations for state CIOs on how to improve digital government services in their states.”

The publication looks back at NASCIO’s 2001 report on this same topic to see what themes remain and what improvements have been made. This research examines the challenges of providing digital government services (workforce, budget, lack of cohesiveness across state agencies), the current state of the citizen digital experience, and six calls to action for states. The calls to action encourage states to create an enterprise vision and strategic roadmap; engage stakeholders; prioritize cybersecurity, privacy and identity management; embrace “no wrong door”; create a promotional agenda; and look toward the future to create sustainable funding and metrics.

The publication can be found on NASCIO’s website: www.nascio.org.

 

 

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About NASCIO 

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. For more information about NASCIO visit www.nascio.org. 

 

AMR Management Services provides NASCIO’s executive staff.  For more information about AMR visit www.AMRms.com. 

 

Contact
Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Announces Finalists for 2023 NASCIO State IT Recognition Awards

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, September 12, 2023 —The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has selected 31 finalists across 10 categories for the State IT Recognition Awards. Projects and initiatives from NASCIO member states and territories were eligible for nomination. Over 80 NASCIO members served as volunteer judges to review the nearly 100 submissions, narrowing the nominees down to three finalists in each category (with exceptions for ties). From these finalists, a recipient from each category will be announced during the NASCIO Annual Conference in October.  

The award nominations showcase the use of information technology to address critical business problems, more easily connect citizens to their government, improve business processes and create new opportunities that improve the lives of citizens. To ensure states have access to the innovations and leading practices of their peers, all award submissions have been added to NASCIO’s Awards Library. 

 

Award finalists for the 2023 State IT Recognition Awards are:

Business Process Innovations 

State of Michigan: Michigan All in for the User, Our HCD Strategy 

State of Ohio: Paper is Dead, Long Live Digital Transformation! 

State of Tennessee: One DHS Omnichannel Customer Support 

 

Cross-Boundary Collaboration & Partnerships 

State of Ohio: A Focus on Human-Centered Design 

State of North Carolina: NC eLink: Completing the Picture to Improve Constituent Services 

State of Texas: Boots on the Ground: Texas Regional Security Operations Center Pilot Project 

 

Cybersecurity 

State of Hawai’i: Surfing the Cyber Risk Monster Wave 

State of Illinois: The Zero Trust League Superheroes of Cybersecurity 

State of Minnesota: Expanded Cybersecurity Protections to Counties, Cities, and Tribal Nations 

 

Data Management, Analytics & Visualization 

State of California: All-Hazards Dashboard 

State of Michigan: Peak Performance Unleashed: Harnessing Metrics for Success 

State of Minnesota: Empowering Communities through Transparency and Crime Data 

 

Digital Services: Government to Business 

State of Minnesota: Farmlink: Facilitating Connections to Keep Minnesota Farms Thriving 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: PA Preferred Program Solution 

State of Tennessee: Transforming Agriculture Licensing & Permitting: Milking Enterprise Innovation for Streamlined Processes 

 

Digital Services: Government to Citizen 

State of Minnesota: Delivering Swift Relief to Minnesota’s COVID-19 Frontline Workers 

State of Ohio: Streamlining Access to Child Care Benefits  

State of Tennessee: MyTN: Placing Government in the Palms of Citizen Hands 

 

Emerging & Innovative Technologies  

State Colorado: myColorado Chatbot: Get Answers Your Way 

State of Michigan: Michigan Automated Incident Detection 

State of Minnesota: Digital Bridges: The Future is Here 

State of Ohio: Keeping Ohioans Connected 

 

Enterprise IT Management Initiatives 

State of California: Technology for Incarcerated Population 

State of Indiana: SEAL: Continuing to Hire the Next IT Professionals 

State of Tennessee: Harnessing the Power of Process Automation for Tennessee 

 

Information Communications Technology (ICT) Innovations  

State of Florida: From Zero to Real-Time in 4 Days: Real-Time Messaging to Transform Emergency Response, Cybersecurity and More 

State of Minnesota: The App that Connects Job Seekers with Services They Need 

State of North Carolina: ATSC 3.0 in Public Safety Communications 

 

State CIO Office Special Recognition 

State of Minnesota: How AI Enhances Driver and Vehicle Services for Minnesota Residents 

State of North Carolina: NC OneMap: a Unified Open Data Platform Closing the Digital Divide  

State of Tennessee: Empowering the Future: Tennessee Explores IT Workforce Professional Development Initiatives 

 

 

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About NASCIO 

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. For more information about NASCIO visit www.nascio.org. 

 

AMR Management Services provides NASCIO’s executive staff.  For more information about AMR visit www.AMRms.com. 

 

Contact
Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

Public Sector Workforce Summit

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Event Hosted by the Government Finance Officers Association, National Association of State Treasurers, Public Sector HR Association, MissionSquare Research Institute, National Association of State Chief Information Officers 

 

Washington, D.C. — (August 3, 2023) — State and local government leaders will gather in Washington, D.C., on August 15, 2023, to examine key long-term public sector workforce challenges. The convening comes as the participating organizations have researched and identified a pervasive problem for the public sector workforce–talent is scarce.

A Solutions-based Approach to Attracting Talent in Public Finance and Information Technology in the State and Local Sector will bring together a diverse mix of strategic thinkers to discuss new approaches currently being implemented to build the public sector workforce of tomorrow.

Speakers include:

  • Laura Allen, President, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
  • Chris Morill, Executive Director/CEO, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
  • Deanna Santana, Acting CEO and President, MissionSquare Retirement
  • Shaun Snyder, Executive Director, National Association of State Treasurers (NAST)
  • Meredith Ward, Deputy Executive Director, National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO)
  • Cara Woodson Welch, CEO, Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA)
  • Gerald Young, Senior Research Analyst, MissionSquare Research Institute

Learn more about the event here.

What:

  • A Solutions-Based Approach to Attracting Talent in Public Finance and Information Technology in the State and Local Sector 

When and Where:     

  • The event is scheduled for August 15 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am (Eastern) at the National City County Leadership Center located at 660 N. Capitol Street, NW, 1st Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001.

Hosts:

Registration:

  • There is no charge to attend, but space is limited so register early. Breakfast will be available, sponsored by MissionSquare Retirement.
  • Attendees and media interested in attending the event are invited to register here.

 Contact: 

  • For more information about the event, please contact:
    Natalie Laudadio
    312.578.2298
    [email protected]

NASCIO Members Give Back During NASCIO 2023 Midyear Conference

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, May 16, 2023 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) donated over $35,900 to City Gate as part of the association’s Give Back program. City Gate is a Washington, DC-area nonprofit working to engage and empower at-risk youth and families impacted by poverty. Their STEAM-focused curriculum provides children with hands on learning, critical thinking skills and future career opportunities. NASCIO’s 2023 Midyear Conference was held in the DC area earlier this month.

Donations were collected during the NASCIO 2023 Midyear Conference and NASCIO state, corporate and nonprofit members donated through individual contributions. NASCIO corporate members Carahsoft Technology Corp., Esri, Kyndryl, Lenovo US, Lookout and Tyler Technologies sponsored this year’s Give Back Program and contributed to the donation total.

Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Technology Champion Award Honors Texas State Representative Giovanni Capriglione

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, May 2, 2023 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has awarded Texas State Representative Giovanni Capriglione with the association’s 2023 Technology Champion Award. Representative Capriglione was nominated by Amanda Crawford, Texas State CIO, who described him as, “an unmatched innovator whose contributions have advanced state government information technology across multiple fields.” Crawford also described Representative Capriglione as, “a tireless advocate for cybersecurity, legacy modernization, data management and the need to protect Texans’ privacy.”

Representative Capriglione has been the critical champion of state IT in the Texas House of Representatives since he was elected to the Texas House in 2012. He has worked to pass legislation to require cybersecurity training and incident reporting by state and local governments; pushed for and achieved increased funding for cybersecurity and legacy modernization (including spending increases for consolidation and optimization); created the Texas Cybersecurity Council; passed data management legislation; and increased focus on data privacy initiatives.

NASCIO created the Technology Champion Award in 2003 to recognize outstanding individual contributions to the field of information technology in the public sector. Recipients further NASCIO’s vision of a government in which the public is fully served through the efficient and effective use of technology policy.

Learn more about the NASCIO Technology Champion award and prior recipients at www.nascio.org/awards.

Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Issues Playbook on Enterprise Portfolio Management for States

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, April 25, 2023 —today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released a report titled Actively Managing the IT Investment Portfolio: A Playbook for State Government. The playbook is a culmination of months of research, interviews and webinars on the topic and highlights some of the leading state government work in creating and maturing a strategic enterprise-wide portfolio management (EPM) program. The playbook includes key recommendations for states to consider in their EPM journey which emphasize collaboration with other states, establishing clearly defined business requirements and strong organization among the enterprise portfolio management team.

However, the heart of the publication is the six essential plays for effective EPM, which are included in the report and also a companion, two-page easy reference document. The six plays are what states and territories should employ at the early stages of creating an enterprise portfolio management discipline and they are:

  • Play 1: Build a Compelling Business Case
  • Play 2: Make EPM an Established Office Within the Office of the State CIO
  • Play 3: Establish Governance for EPM
  • Play 4: Build a Collaborative Working Relationship With Agencies, Boards and Commissions
  • Play 5: Establish a Framework for EPM That Includes IT Investment Management
  • Play 6: Guidance on Capabilities, Disciplines and Tools That Support EPM


The publication and easy reference document can be found on NASCIO’s website: www.nascio.org.


Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Honors Louisiana CIO Richard “Dickie” Howze With 10 Year Service Award

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Louisiana CIO Richard “Dickie” Howze

Louisiana CIO Richard “Dickie” Howze with 10-Year Service Award

LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, April 4, 2023 — today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) recognizes Louisiana Chief Information Officer (CIO) Richard “Dickie” Howze with the association’s Decade of Leadership Award. Howze celebrates ten years as the CIO for the State of Louisiana this month and is one of only a handful of CIOs who have achieved this milestone.

NASCIO president and Tennessee CIO Stephanie Dedmon congratulated Howze saying, “Dickie’s leadership in the state of Louisiana can be seen in the state’s modernization and consolidation efforts and especially in their commitment to cybersecurity. He has also demonstrated his resilience by leading the CIO organization through the technology demands and impacts of major hurricanes and storm damage.”

As Louisiana CIO, Howze has overseen countless projects for in-scope state agencies, including implementation of online bidding for the Office of State Procurement; modernization and consolidation of state print and mail management; improvement of network security with enterprise-secure baseline migration; architecture of cutting-edge remote office and disaster recovery connectivity solution; implementation of LaGov Budget Development System as well as web content filtering for all in-scope agencies; and advancement of governmental transparency and accountability via the Louisiana Checkbook searchable website. Louisiana also has become the first state ever to implement a virtual remote-identity verification system for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applicants.

Before being appointed as state CIO, Howze served various other positions in Louisiana state government.


Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO Issues Primer on State Use of Metaverse Technologies

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Wednesday, March 29, 2023—today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released Navigating the Metaverse: Potential Applications and Implications for State Government. The publication is a brief look at some early considerations for state government with respect to the metaverse and related technologies. The publication also includes current and prospective uses for metaverse technology as well as research and input from state government and private sector leaders in the subject.

Some considerations and cautions for states that are detailed in the publication include:

  • Determining the right business case
  • Creating a roadmap
  • Gathering relevant stakeholders
  • Ensuring security of metaverse technologies
  • Privacy implications
  • Safety of users including bias and discrimination
  • Accessibility
  • Legal implications
  • Ensuring skilled staff are in place


The publication can be found on NASCIO’s website: www.nascio.org. 

Contact
Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]

NASCIO and NGA Call for Strengthening Cybersecurity Workforce in State Government

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Wednesday, March 15, 2023—today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) National Governors Association (NGA) released the Securing States: Modernizing to Attract and Retain Cyber Talent. The publication is a culmination of a partnership between NASCIO and NGA, which started in 2022, to assist states in identifying the concrete actions they can take now to bridge the cybersecurity workforce gap. NASCIO and NGA convened Governors’ policy advisors, state information technology and cybersecurity leaders, workforce professionals and other experts to provide a forum for sharing experiences and best practices. This publication details the current state of play and summarizes the insights aggregated during this meeting, as well as previous related efforts by NASCIO and NGA to facilitate discussion on this topic.

“State cybersecurity workforce challenges have reached crisis levels in some states and is a major concern for all state CIOs,” said Stephanie Dedmon, NASCIO president and CIO for Tennessee. “NASCIO is glad to partner with NGA and other strategic partners to help address this critical issue.”

The publication includes several examples from states who are using creative methods to address the cybersecurity workforce challenge. The publication also includes specific recommendations for states to take now:

  • States need to focus on effective marketing and branding of state government as an employer of choice, their mission-driven work and the unique benefits they offer.
  • States must adapt to the enduring impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by modernizing the working environment to include flexible schedules, offering remote and work from home (WFH) options and focusing on addressing burnout and employees’ mental and emotional well-being.
  • States must focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) in their recruitment, hiring and retention practices.
  • States need to collaborate with key tech and cybersecurity stakeholders, including the private sector, academia, nonprofit organizations, the federal government, minority-serving institutions and professional associations, to provide development opportunities and build workforce pipelines.
  • States should rework position descriptions to reflect industry-standard job titles and reduce barriers to entry, such as outdated or unnecessary requirements.

The publication can be found on NASCIO’s website: www.NASCIO.org.

NASCIO Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]