NASCIO Issues Brief on Chatbots in the Era of COVID-19 as State Use Nears Seventy-Five Percent

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LEXINGTON, KY., Wednesday, June 24, 2020 — Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officer’s (NASCIO) released Chat with Us: How States are Using Chatbots to Respond to the Demands of COVID-19. The brief reports that around three-quarters of states are deploying chatbots (virtual agents) to assist with questions on unemployment insurance, general COVID-19 questions or for other state agencies that may be receiving unusually high traffic due to the pandemic. Research into state use of chatbots was conducted by NASCIO staff in the spring of 2020.

As the report notes, CIOs knew that chatbots and other robotic process automation tools were important but were searching for the right business case for use. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided that business case and has aided states in responding to surges in online inquiries and transactions. State chatbots have responded to millions of citizen questions and continue to learn and build on the existing state knowledge base.

The brief also includes specific use cases from states and links to current state chatbots. The publication may be found on NASCIO’s website: www.nascio.org/resource-center  


Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209

NASCIO Releases Latest Publication in CIO as Broker Series

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LEXINGTON, KY., Tuesday, June 2, 2020 — Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released The State CIO Operating Model: Leveraging the Power of the Four Forces. The publication is the latest in the NASCIO CIO as Broker Series and a follow up of the September 2018 paper, The State CIO Top Ten: Why It’s More than a List.

Since the publication of the 2018 report NASCIO has explored the role of the CIO, the emerging focus on the citizen experience and the fact that communications skills are more important for the CIO than technical knowledge. This publication brings a different perspective by delving deeper into the State CIO Top Ten  priority strategies, policy issues and management processes for 2020.

The publication, and accompanying webcast, may be found on NASCIO’s website: www.nascio.org/resource-center

Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209

GAO Report Affirms NASCIO Calls for Harmonizing Federal Cybersecurity Regulations

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LEXINGTON, KY., Wednesday, May 27, 2020 — Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, Selected Federal Agencies Need to Coordinate on Requirements and Assessments of States. The report recommendations affirm the National Association of State Chief Information Officer’s (NASCIO) top advocacy priority of harmonizing disparate federal cybersecurity regulations. The report was required in response to a 2018 request made by the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee along with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee who tasked the GAO to study the various federal cybersecurity regulations and issue corresponding recommendations. The report includes feedback from all fifty state chief information security officers.

The report includes twelve recommendations for selected federal agencies and the first two call for federal agencies to ensure that they are collaborating on cybersecurity requirements “to state agencies to the greatest extent possible” and that federal agencies should coordinate “on assessments of state agencies’ cybersecurity, which may include steps such as leveraging other agencies’ assessments or conducting assessments jointly.”

“NASCIO has long advocated for federal cybersecurity requirements to be harmonized and applauds the findings in the GAO report,” said Doug Robinson, NASCIO’s Executive Director. “The hours and effort required by states to respond to several audits from different agencies with different security controls is burdensome, costly and negatively impacts states. We are hopeful that the federal agencies will heed the report’s recommendations and foster a much greater collaborative environment on these regulations.”

Notably, the report concludes by stating, “…we continue to believe that it is important for all of the agencies in our review to identify opportunities where requirements can be streamlined or made more consistent while still achieving each agency’s desired security outcomes because doing so may reduce potential burdens on state agencies, as discussed in this report.”

The report can be found on GAO’s website here: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-20-123

 

Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209

NASCIO Technology Champion Award Honors Indiana Department of Child Services CIO

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Lexington, Ky, Monday, May 4, 2020 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has awarded Indiana Department of Child Services Chief Information Officer, Kevin Jones, with the association’s 2020 Technology Champion Award. Kevin’s nomination submission described him as the “epitome of CIO as problem solver with a personal leadership style grounded in empathy for the 25,000 children in his care and the 4,000 family case workers who support them.”

Indiana Child Welfare is currently undergoing massive transformation and Kevin is leading a holistic approach to change that focuses on people, process and tools. He is leveraging innovations like virtual reality training that simulates a home visit with a vulnerable family. This technology, steeping in immersive learning, is better preparing caseworkers for the field. It is also being used in hiring to determine whether a candidate is a good fit for child welfare. The agency has already seen an 18% reduction in turnover resulting in a cost savings to the state.

“Serving and protecting our most vulnerable populations is one of the most important things we do,” said Denis Goulet, Commissioner and CIO for the State of New Hampshire and NASCIO President. “I am proud to recognize Kevin for his tireless efforts in safeguarding the children of Indiana.”

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.

Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209

NASCIO Cancels Midyear Conference

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, March 17, 2020—In accordance with the recent executive order by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and CDC guidance that all events over 50 people in the next eight weeks be cancelled, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) is cancelling its Midyear Conference. The conference was scheduled to be held May 3-5 in National Harbor, MD. The safety and health of our members is of the utmost importance to NASCIO and, although the cancellation is disappointing, it is absolutely necessary.  

Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209

NASCIO Announces New Association VP and Director

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LEXINGTON, KY., March 16, 2020 — Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) announced that Michael Hussey, Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the State of Utah, has been elected to serve as the association’s vice president. In accordance with NASCIO bylaws, when the vice president role is vacated it will be filled via election by the NASCIO Executive Committee. Denis Goulet, Commissioner and CIO for the State of New Hampshire, vacated the vice president position when he recently became NASCIO president.

Hussey was appointed CIO of Utah in 2015 after serving the state in other capacities since 1995. In 2013 Hussey received the Governor’s Award for Excellence for Outstanding Public Service after being nominated by then Lt. Governor Greg Bell. Hussey attended Brigham Young University and the University of Utah.

Nelson Moe, Chief Information Officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia, has also been appointed as a director to the association’s Executive Committee. Moe has been CIO of Virginia since 2015. Prior to his service with the Commonwealth, he served as CIO for the United States House of Representatives and was a nuclear submarine officer in the United States Navy.

Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209

NASCIO Announces Association President Transition

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LEXINGTON, KY., February 24, 2020 — Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) announced that Denis Goulet, Commissioner and CIO for the State of New Hampshire, will now serve as the association’s president. Goulet succeeds J. Eric Boyette, Secretary and CIO for the State of North Carolina. Boyette was recently tapped by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to serve as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

“I want to thank my colleague, Eric Boyette, for his service to NASCIO and his leadership as NASCIO president. I will do my best to serve the association at the same level of dedication,” said Goulet. “I look forward to leading the association and working with the tremendously dedicated state CIOs across the country.”

According to NASCIO’s bylaws, when the office of president is vacated, the vice president automatically becomes president. Additionally, in accordance with NASCIO bylaws, the vice president role vacated by Goulet will be filled by the NASCIO executive committee.

Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209

NASCIO Champions Data Privacy Day 2020

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LEXINGTON, Ky., January 28, 2020 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has again announced its support of Data Privacy Day ‒ an international effort held annually on January 28 to create awareness about the importance of respecting privacy, safeguarding data and enabling trust – by signing up as a Data Privacy Day 2020 Champion. As a Champion, NASCIO recognizes and supports the principle that all organizations share the esponsibility of being conscientious stewards of personal information. NASCIO has long been supportive of data privacy, most recently releasing .

NASCIO joins the growing global effort among nonprofits, academic institutions, corporations, government entities, municipalities and individuals to raise awareness at home, at work and school and in their communities. Through collaboration and unified, consistent messaging about privacy and protecting personal information, all Data Privacy Day Champions are working toward the common goal of improving individual and business consciousness toward respecting privacy, safeguarding data and enabling trust.

The official theme for the 2020 Data Privacy Day is “A Vision for the Future.” For more information about Data Privacy Day, which is officially led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), visit .

Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209

 

NASCIO Releases 2020 Federal Advocacy Priorities: Continues Call for Harmonized Cyber Regulations

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WASHINGTON, D.C., January 22, 2020 — Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NACSIO) released its 2020 federal advocacy priorities. As state CIOs are asked to take on an increasing role to protect state and local governments from a constant barrage of cybersecurity threats, NASCIO’s advocacy priorities reflect the importance of collaboration between states and the federal government to ensure cyber resiliency. The priorities are:

  • Harmonize Disparate Federal Cybersecurity Regulations and Streamline the Audit Process
  • Ensure Dedicated Cybersecurity Funding for State and Local Governments with CIOs as Key Decisionmakers
  • Advocate for Widespread Adoption of DotGov Domain
  • Recognize State Authority and Ongoing Innovation with Emerging Technology

Fact sheets regarding the above priorities can be found at .

“NASCIO’s primary advocacy efforts focus on building awareness of state IT issues and advancing the role of the state CIO, and these advocacy priorities will help us do just that,” said Eric Boyette, NASCIO President and Secretary and Chief Information Officer for the State of North Carolina. “NASCIO looks forward to working with our federal partners to expand visibility on these and other important issues.”

The association’s federal advocacy priorities are selected by NASCIO’s executive committee and reflect policy priorities as indicated by association members in the State CIO Top Ten ). NASCIO aims to add to policy discussions taking place within the federal government sphere as they relate to the business of state government IT.

 

Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209

Accenture and NASCIO Release Report on Innovation and the Role of CIOs

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Report cites innovation as critical priority; top barriers include lack of funding, workforce skills and time

LEXINGTON, Ky.; Jan. 16, 2020 – A new report from Accenture and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) focuses on the perspectives of state chief information officers (CIO) regarding innovation and highlights approaches and success factors that can advance innovative practices in state government. The report includes examples of leading practices of state CIO innovation governance structures, ecosystems, budgeting for innovation and recommendations to help state CIOs develop operating models and initiatives that can drive innovation in state government.

The new findings reveal most state CIOs see innovation as a major part of their job – 83% said innovation is an important or very important part of their day-to-day leadership responsibilities – while only 14% reported extensive innovation initiatives within their organizations. Previously, NASCIO had highlighted innovation as a top ten current issue facing state CIOs.

“The pace of technological change keeps accelerating, bringing new challenges and opening opportunities, and state CIOs have an important, central role to play in fostering innovation to help government deliver better services and value to citizens,” said Doug Robinson, NASCIO’s executive director. “State government operating models should evolve to better enable, emphasize and capture the benefits of innovation, and this research points the way forward.”

The survey of state CIOs focused on identifying current practices and their views regarding obstacles to innovation. Most notably:

  • Lack of funding is seen as the top barrier: 63% cited as top barrier, followed by workforce skills
  • Executive support for innovation is perceived as low: 26% said their state administrative leadership has made innovation a stated priority, and 6% said their state legislature has done so
  • Governance structures to oversee innovation are becoming more common: 49% have one and 31% are developing one
  • Collaboration in innovation ecosystems is mainly internally focused: Input from employees is the top source of innovative ideas, cited by 63%, while less than half point to external collaborations and only 14% point to input from citizens
  • Workforce skills are a pervasive challenge: 85% cited struggles finding the right skills for innovation, and 46% identified lack of skills as the top barrier for innovation

“State CIOs have many opportunities to foster innovation in their agencies and the departments they support,” said Rick Webb, Accenture managing director. “Effective innovation depends on consistent, strong leadership support, collaborative systems and a conducive organizational culture, and state CIOs are key across all these dimensions.”


The report is available on www.NASCIO.org as well as on Accenture.com.

Contact
Meredith Ward
Director of Policy and Research
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209