NASCIO Releases 2018 Federal Advocacy Priorities: Focus on Innovation and Efficiencies

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WASHINGTON, D.C., Thursday, January 18, 2018 – Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NACSIO) released its 2018 federal advocacy priorities. NASCIO’s federal advocacy priorities include:

  1. Harmonize disparate federal cybersecurity regulations and normalize the audit process
  2. Recognize state authority and ongoing innovation with emerging technology
  3. Information sharing and safeguards: meeting citizen expectations

Fact sheets regarding the above priorities can be found at: www.NASCIO.org/advocacy.

“NASCIO’s 2018 advocacy priorities reflect the work and ambitions of state CIOs across the country. State CIOs continue to seek efficiencies within state government through efforts like IT consolidation/optimization, which for my state has reaped over $351 million in savings and IT cost avoidance. However, voluminous and conflicting federal cybersecurity regulations often pose a challenge in our ability to do so and it is our hope that our federal partners will work with state CIOs to harmonize regulations and normalize the audit process,” said NASCIO president and Oklahoma CIO Bo Reese.

With emerging technology, the 2017 State CIO Survey revealed that when compared with previous years, more state CIOs are incorporating networked devices into their state’s IT strategic plans and creating roadmaps for adoption and utilization. NASCIO data further indicate that state CIOs are taking a collaborative role in emerging IT and working with state government agencies in decision-making. “State CIOs recognize the need to address emerging technology by design rather than default and are embracing their role in these discussions,” said NASCIO executive director Doug Robinson.

Regarding information sharing, NASCIO will continue to advocate for the adoption of the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) among relevant stakeholders. Promoting information sharing as an advocacy priority reflects the increasingly important role of data and analytics within state government through which state governments aim to better serve their citizens.

The association’s federal advocacy priorities are selected by NASCIO’s executive committee and reflect policy priorities as indicated by association members (www.NASCIO.org/topten) . NASCIO aims to add to policy discussions taking place within the federal government sphere as they relate to the business of state government IT.

State CIO Priorities for 2018 – State Technology Leaders make Security and Cloud Services Top Priorities

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Wednesday, November 29 – The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has released its annual survey of state information technology leaders on critical priorities for the coming year. As expected, security remains as the top priority, however cloud services moved into position as a close second. The prioritized rankings of strategies and technologies reflect voting by state CIOs and are available for download at www.NASCIO.org/topten.

In past years, there has been a noticeable gap in the votes for the number one spot and the runner up. Not this year. This emphasis on cloud services and the continuing strong position of budget and cost control are indicative that CIOs are still concerned about maintaining cost and quality of services. This is further supported by the fact that agile is on the Top Ten for the third year in a row. Shared services comes in sixth after being off the Top Ten for three years. There is a definite growing trend toward consolidating and unifying services across the enterprise.

Bo Reese, NASCIO president and chief information officer for the state of Oklahoma stated, "Data management and analytics, cloud solutions and certainly security are demanding our attention. Unification of services will drive the need to improve data management discipline, enterprise governance and optimization."

"There is an overarching continued consistency in the areas of budget and cost control, security and risk management," remarked NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson. "Digital government appears for the first time as priority four which is indicative of states' efforts to focus on citizen services using digital platforms and integration." 

NASCIO utilizes the annual list of priorities to develop strategic areas of focus for the coming year, formulate new committees and working groups and plan NASCIO conference sessions and publications.

NASCIO Releases Playbook for State Enterprise Data Center Consolidation

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Thursday, November 16 — On Thursday, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released a new publication entitled, “Shrinking State Data Centers: A Playbook for Enterprise Data Center Consolidation.”

In addition to a discussion of the benefits and barriers to consolidation, the playbook lays out ten steps for State CIOs who have yet to complete enterprise data center consolidation. The publication illustrates the plays via real world experiences described through interviews with State CIOs and others involved in consolidating state data centers.

“NASCIO published a paper on enterprise data center consolidation in 2007, and we felt it was time to revisit this important issue and share lessons learned in the last decade,” explained NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson.

“Having just completed the process of enterprise data center consolidation in Oklahoma, I can verify both the benefits as well as the detailed planning that is required. NASCIO’s playbook will be a welcome tool to states who are early in the process” stated Bo Reese, NASCIO President and Chief Information Officer for Oklahoma.

You can find this publication at www.nascio.org/ResourceCenter.

NASCIO Appoints New Directors to Executive Committee Leadership

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, November 14 – In October, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) announced their Executive Committee leadership for 2017-2018. Since that time, three vacancies were created in director positions due to changes in membership. NASCIO President Bo Reese, chief information officer for the state of Oklahoma, has filled those positions and is proud to announce the following NASCIO Executive Committee Directors:

Eric Boyette, Chief Information Officer, North Carolina
Denis Goulet, Commissioner, New Hampshire
Mike Hussey, Chief Information Officer, Utah

Goulet and Hussey were appointed to two-year terms as director with Boyette fulfilling a one-year term. Doug Robinson, NASCIO executive director, noted, “The addition of these individuals who have led innovation in their states to our already strong leadership will only serve to continuing NASCIO’s position as a leader in furthering the advancement of the state chief information officer.”

Visit www.nascio.org/committees/executive for the full 2017-2018 NASCIO Executive Committee.

Governors and State CIOs seek collaboration with Office of Management and Budget to harmonize disparate federal cybersecurity regulations and normalize the audit process

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, November 7, 2017 — Yesterday, the National Governors Association (NGA) and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) sought the engagement of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to harmonize disparate and often conflicting federal cybersecurity regulations and normalize the audit process. 

In a letter to OMB Director Mick Mulvaney signed by NGA Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee Leadership and their respective state chief information officers (CIO), NGA and NASCIO highlighted the regulatory burden faced by state governments when attempting to consolidate/optimize state government IT. State governments must comply with a long list of federal cybersecurity regulations that were promulgated in a silo-ed fashion which led to disparate compliance rules and duplicative audits by multiple federal agencies. 

The federal IT compliance environment hampers the work of state CIOs who seek to bring cost savings to the state by operating state government IT as a unified, single entity or “enterprise.” The letter references the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing in June 2017 when Oklahoma CIO Bo Reese, then vice president now president of NASCIO, testified on the $286 million savings he brought to the state through IT consolidation/optimization. Reese stated during the hearing that compliance with federal cybersecurity regulations served as a large implement to the IT consolidation/optimization process. 

Regarding the letter, Reese stated: “We are extremely pleased to have the support of NGA and eagerly look forward to working with our federal partners to collectively craft a solution that secures citizen data while also being more efficient both in process and cost.” 

NASCIO Conference Attendees Give Back To Austin, Host City of 2017 Annual Conference

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Thursday, October 12, 2017 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) provided a $11,055 donation to Kids In a New Groove (KING), an Austin organization that provides music instruction and mentorship to youth in foster care. Donations were collected during the NASCIO Annual Conference held October 1-4 in Austin through the Give Back program as a thank you to the host city. NASCIO state, corporate, media and nonprofit members donated $6,055 through individual contributions and NASCIO provided a $5,000 donation.

“It was such an honor for Kids In A New Groove (KING) to be a part of the NASCIO conference this year,” said Laura Wood, KING Executive Director. “At KING, we provide Texas youth in foster care with a committed one-on-one mentoring relationship through weekly music lessons. Music provides a therapeutic outlet, teaches persistence, and nourishes self-esteem; tools for success that reach beyond our program.”

During the conference, Wood addressed the crowd and showcased the organization’s successes. “For the past three years, 100 percent of eligible seniors graduated high school; the national average for youth in foster care is less than 50 percent. Of those graduates, 95 percent went on to attend college, technical school, or enlist in the military, with the national average of youth in foster care attending college being less than 3 percent.”

Wood went on to say that “NASCIO's generous donation will allow KING to expand our services to enroll even more Central Texas youth in foster care, providing them with the benefits of a creative outlet and a committed one-on-one mentorship relationship.”

Prior to the conference NASCIO made a donation of $5,375 to the American Red Cross Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. “As we gather in Austin for our annual conference, we know that elsewhere in the state, residents are rebuilding their homes, their businesses and their daily way of life,” said NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson. “NASCIO staff and members are thinking of our host state as they move forward.”

To learn more about Kids In a New Groove, please visit kidsinanewgroove.org. 

NASCIO Observes Electronic Records Day

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LEXINGTON, Ky., Tuesday, October 10 — Today, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) observes Electronic Records Day, sponsored by the Council of State Archivists (CoSA). Electronic Records Day is celebrated every year on October 10 as an opportunity to share what your state or organization is doing to manage digital resources and preserve electronic records.

“With an increasing reliance on digital business in state government, it’s imperative that we focus on governance and management of electronic records,” said Doug Robinson, NASCIO Executive Director. “State officials know this, however greater attention to an enterprise e-records roadmap and more collaboration will accelerate progress.”

In recognition of the sixth anniversary of E-Records Day, CoSA has promoted electronic records awareness leading up to October 10 and placed a special focus on electronic communications in state government agencies, the general public, and related professional organizations.

CoSA reminds us that electronic records need regular attention and care in order to remain accessible. Join NASCIO and CoSA in raising awareness of digital records and the importance of their preservation.

See CoSA’s Electronic Records Day page for more information and tips on managing e-records at https://www.statearchivists.org/programs/state-electronic-records-initiative/electronic-records-day/. 

NASCIO Announces New Corporate Leadership Council Leadership and Corporate Longevity Award Recipients

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AUSTIN, Tex., Wednesday, October 4, 2017 — The Corporate Leadership Council (CLC) is comprised of dedicated National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) corporate members committed to utilizing private sector intellectual and financial resources to serve NASCIO and its members. CLC members promote information sharing among public and private-sector members, providing expertise to NASCIO issue focus areas and developing publications and projects. 

The NASCIO corporate members have elected a new CLC chair and vice chair for the 2017-2018 program year. The CLC will be led by Corky Allen, Dell EMC, as chair and Debra Cammer Hines, EY, as vice chair. The CLC chair and vice chair hold an advisory seat on NASCIO's Executive Committee. Allen is entering a second year as CLC chair.

Corporations holding memberships in NASCIO for five years (and at 5-year intervals thereafter) are recognized during the Annual Conference. Recognition of corporate longevity is automatic and nomination is not required. 

NASCIO’s Corporate Longevity Award recipients for 2017 are:

25-years – Century Link, CGI Technologies and Solutions Inc., Microsoft Corporation

20-years – Maximus

15-years – DXC Technology, Harris Corporation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, ViON Corporation

10-years – BMC Software, Google, Grant Thornton LLP, Intel, NetApp

5-years – Advocate Solutions LLC, FireEye, Workday

NASCIO Champions National Cyber Security Awareness Month

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AUSTIN, Tex., Wednesday, October 4 – The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) is once again observing National Cyber Security Awareness Month by being an official cybersecurity champion. For the 14th consecutive year, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center and the National Cybersecurity Alliance are promoting cyber security awareness, safety and security online. Once again, NASCIO is partnering with these organizations to officially show support and promote a safer, more secure and trusted Internet.
 
"NASCIO advocates that cybersecurity is business risk, not just a technology issue," said Doug Robinson, NASCIO executive director. "NASCIO applauds states for keeping online safety and security in the forefront by hosting events and highlighting their own state programs and resources. NASCIO will continue to support states and state CIOs for their efforts during Cybersecurity Awareness Month."
 
Cybersecurity resources and advocacy efforts can be found on NASCIO's Cybersecurity Awareness resource page at www.nascio.org/cybersecurity. 
 
To learn more about participating in National Cyber Security Awareness Month, please visit www.staysafeonline.org. Consider joining NASCIO and becoming a cybersecurity awareness champion today.

State CIOs Face "New Engine" in Role Transitions, 2017 State CIO Reveals

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AUSTIN, Tex., October 3, 2017 – Shifting business models, emerging technologies that redefine "IT" and the drive to implement digital government lead a long list of challenges facing state CIOs, according to new research released today at the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Annual Conference.

"The results of our 2017 survey highlights the critical leadership role of the state CIO," said Doug Robinson, executive director of NASCIO. "The need to sustain transformation and innovation will require CIOs to rethink the role and structure of their organization to serve the needs of state government."

A New Engine: Driving Innovation in State Technology, published jointly by NASCIO, Grant Thornton LLP and CompTIA, surveyed state CIOs on a range of issues, from cybersecurity and cloud migration plans to data management and the delivery of digital government services. 

"The nature of the state CIO role continues to evolve, with broker models becoming the norm and CIOs having to address the workforce, vendor and financial management challenges this brings," said Graeme Finley, principal with Grant Thornton's Public Sector practice. "The emergence of technologies such as the Internet of Things, drones and autonomous vehicles are also challenging the very definition of what should be considered 'IT' under the purview of the CIO."

Cybersecurity Remains a Key Priority
Almost all CIOs surveyed report they lead or participate in cybersecurity policy setting. More than 80 percent are responsible for setting overall direction and oversight. In contrast, only 64 percent are directly responsible for program execution. With recent legislation and executive orders expanding and strengthening, the CIO's role in cybersecurity efforts is expected to increase.

Metrics program to collect, analyze and report data on security processes, performance, and outcomes are in place in most states. Approximately one-quarter have a fully operational program, while nearly 70 percent are planning or establishing such a program. A fully operational program with documented outcomes is vital to garnering more political support and increased funding.

Internet of Things Leads Emerging Technology Landscape
There is growing recognition among state CIOs of the need to address emerging technologies by design rather than by default. Over the next three to five years, surveyed CIOs are most interested in the Internet of Things (43 percent) and artificial intelligence/machine learning (29 percent). Ten percent said digital assistants will be most impactful, and nine percent cast their vote for blockchain. 

Workforce Challenges Persist 
States continue to struggle to find and keep qualified IT talent, especially in the area of cybersecurity. Generally, IT job candidates do not perceive state government as an attractive and challenging work environment. When asked about the single personnel change that would be effective in reforming the state IT workforce, "modernizing IT job titles and classifications" ranked highest (31 percent). 

To attract and retain qualified staff, 71 percent of state CIOs are "promoting non-salary benefits like greater stability and diversity of experience." Incentivizing recruits with a call to public service and offering public/private internships were other popular strategies cited. 

Surprisingly, only 17 percent of CIOs indicated their organization had someone with primary responsibility for IT workforce initiatives including talent management, recruitment, and employee development and branding. 

The complete report A New Engine: Driving Innovation in State Technology is available on the NASCIO website at www.nascio.org/2017StateCIOsurvey.