Utah Chief Information Officer Mark VanOrden Featured in NASCIO State CIOs Make a Difference Campaign

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 28, 2015 – The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) continues its State CIOs Make a Difference campaign by featuring State Chief Information Officer (CIO) Mark VanOrden and the Utah Department of Technology Services.

Over the next two weeks, NASCIO will profile the accomplishments and main areas of focus for Utah’s Department of Technology Services. The campaign will specifically highlight the success and cost savings of Utah’s portal – Utah.gov – which offers a variety of state government services online, including a mobile-first perspective for mobile device users and a number of mobile and web applications designed to provide Utah citizens with convenient access to state services and information. For more information on Utah’s work in this area, please see the information sheet provided.

“It is our goal in Utah to make it easier for our residents to interact with all levels of government by helping agencies reduce costs of services; supporting the business objectives of the agencies; providing intuitive, easy to use applications; ensuring that all of the services we provide are secure; and finally, providing open, transparent access to all public data,” said VanOrden.

The NASCIO State CIOs Make a Difference campaign emphasizes the innovative work and important role CIOs hold in both government operations and lives of citizens. To learn more about VanOrden and the work of Utah’s Department of Technology Services visit www.nascio.org/CIOsMakeaDifference. Follow #StateCIOsRock for updates on other states and territories to be featured in the coming weeks.

NASCIO Releases Unmanned Aerial Systems, Governance and State CIOs: On the Radar

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 27, 2015 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) released a policy brief on state government use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) today. The paper focuses on the myriad ways UAS are deployed in state government and why state CIOs should be actively engaged in the governance and use of UAS.

“In NASCIO’s 2014 State CIO Survey, we asked state CIOs to characterize their role with respect to UAS in their state and 63.5 percent said they were not on their radar. We believe UAS should be on the radar of every state CIO, which is why we developed this policy brief,” explained NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson.

The paper encourages state CIOs to focus on data standardization, privacy, safety, communications infrastructure and security issues when developing a governance model for UAS. The paper also encourages state CIOs to play an active role in the governance process.

“UAS are already in use nationwide and if state CIOs don’t take an active role in addressing these important policy issues sooner rather than later, they will likely be asked to deal with a host of complicated issues in the near future. We particularly need to address privacy, security, safety and data standardization as soon as possible to avoid a mess down the road,” said NASCIO President and Ohio CIO Stu Davis.

Read the policy brief at www.nascio.org/OnTheRadar.

NASCIO Backpack Give Back at the 2015 Midyear Conference

120 backpacks filled with school supplies donated to Alexandria City Public Schools’ Family and Community Engagement Center

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 14, 2015 — State and corporate members of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) raised funds for backpacks and school supplies to benefit kindergarten students in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) while attending the 2015 Midyear Conference in Alexandria, VA, April 26-29. NASCIO members stuffed 120 backpacks to be distributed to students through ACPS’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center and raised an additional $1,000 in funds for the organization.

Each fall, many Alexandria students face the prospect of starting school without adequate supplies. "By coming together as a community, we can ensure all students have the basic tools to start the school year with confidence," said FACE Manager Krishna Leyva. “We are honored that our community has been extended across the United States due to NASCIO’s Give Back campaign.”
 

The FACE Center offers the opportunity to integrate relevant afterschool activities for students with workshops and resources for parents and community members aimed at improving student academic achievement. FACE also offers a one-stop shop for families and the community to obtain information and support on educational and other issues. Research indicates that engagement in schools is linked to improved academic outcomes, behavior, attendance, and graduation and college enrollment rates.

Learn more about the FACE Center at www.acps.k12.va.us/face-centers/.

NASCIO Launches State CIOs Make a Difference Campaign

Jim Smith, Chief Information Officer for Maine, Recognized for Work in the Office of Information Technology

 
LEXINGTON, Ky, May 12, 2015 – Over the next two weeks, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) will feature the work and strategic direction of the office of information technology (OIT) for the state of Maine and state chief information officer (CIO) Jim Smith. Areas of focus include the OIT’s introduction of agile methodology to project development, risk management for cyber and disaster recovery, business process management to increase efficiency and transparency, as well as practices around workforce development in the state’s information technology fields.
 
“To build our foundation for the future, we need a very strong Project Management Office that works in partnership with our agencies, the right leadership and vision in our core infrastructure and application disciplines, and a strong risk management program,” said Smith. For more information on Maine’s programs in this area, please see the information sheet provided.

NASCIO’s launch of the State CIOs Make a Difference campaign emphasizes the innovative work and important role CIOs hold in both government operations and the lives of citizens. To learn more about Smith and the work of Maine’s Office of Information Technology visit www.nascio.org/CIOsMakeaDifference. New content will be added throughout the two-week period. Follow #StateCIOsRock for updates.

NASCIO Meets With FirstNet Regarding State Plans and Business Model

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2015  – Today NASCIO’s members met with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to discuss how states and FirstNet will proceed in planning and deploying a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network.

NASCIO members expressed particular interest in looking at how state plans will be developed and presented to the states, as well as what the business model FirstNet chooses will mean for the sustainability of the network and potential impact to states as partners and customers.

“A positive and productive relationship between FirstNet and the states will be crucial for the viability of the network,” explained NASCIO Vice President and CIO for the state of New Mexico Darryl Ackley. “This is a tremendously large and ambitious undertaking; states and FirstNet need to be working towards unified goals with a common understanding of who has what responsibility.”

State CIOs met with FirstNet as part of NASCIO’s Washington, D.C. Fly-In. More than 50 State CIOs and state technology policy officials participated in NASCIO’s 2015 D.C. Fly-In, meeting with federal officials and key stakeholders on national issues that impact state IT services.

NASCIO Looks to Work With Federal CIO to Harmonize Agency Grant Rules

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2015 — Today members of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) met with Federal CIO Tony Scott to discuss opportunities to work together to identify potential updates to and harmonization of existing federal agency rules that impact states’ use of information technology. State CIOs discussed with Scott federal program requirements and directives imposed by federal agencies that have unintentionally hindered state government efforts to modernize service channels, integrate program delivery, and achieve better outcomes for its citizens at lower cost. 

“State innovation is often derailed not only by technology rules that haven’t kept up with new IT business practices, but also inconsistent interpretation and application of them by federal agencies,” explained Stu Davis, president of NASCIO and CIO, state of Ohio. “We want to work with Mr. Scott and the federal government to harmonize grant requirements when it comes to information technology policy, and incentivize states to take cross jurisdictional and enterprise approaches to technology that result in cost reductions and improved services for citizens.” 

NASCIO members met with Scott at the association’s annual fly-in, where more than 50 state CIOs and state technology policy officials came together with federal officials and key stakeholders on national issues that impact state IT services.

NASCIO Pushes For Action on Cybersecurity; Endorses S. 1023

CIOs Commit to Working With Feds on Building Cyber Threat Information Sharing Network

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 29, 2015 — Today the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) endorsed the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Credit Act (S 1023). The legislation, introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) provides federal tax credits to private industry that participates in cybersecurity Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAOs) and fusion centers.

NASCIO announced its support at the association’s 2015 D.C. Fly-In, where more than 50 state CIOs and state technology policy officials met with federal officials and key stakeholders on national issues that impact state IT services. During the event, NASCIO members sat down with officials from the White House, Congress, and individuals throughout the administration in an effort to highlight cybersecurity issues in the states. 

“Most states, including Michigan, are already formally working as ISAOs and sharing cyber threat information with our key private sector partners,” explained David Behen, Co-chair of the NASCIO Security and Privacy Committee and CIO for the state of Michigan. “It is critical to establish partnerships between the public and private sectors on a regional basis in order to effectively and efficiently deter cyber threats.”

NASCIO members also met with the White House Cyber Security Coordinator Michael Daniel. The conversation focused on how states could work with the administration to increase information sharing on key cyber threats, as well as maturing and expanding cybersecurity programs.  State CIOs committed to growing the role of the states in sharing information among key public and private sector partners.

“State CIOs and their teams play a key role in securing state infrastructure against cyber threats,” said Stu Davis, president of NASCIO and CIO for the state of Ohio. “The sophistication of those threats are growing, and there are insufficient resources to meet them. It’s vital that we engage with our federal partners now to ensure we have the right structures in place. State governments—and our nation—are at risk.”

Governor Kasich Recognized as NASCIO Technology Champion

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Tuesday, April 28, 2015 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has awarded Governor John Kasich, state of Ohio, with the 2015 NASCIO Technology Champion (NTC) award. Kasich received recognition at the 2015 NASCIO Midyear Conference in Alexandria, Va. for his leadership in IT policy, initiatives, and practices.

NASCIO is pleased to present Governor Kasich with the 2015 NTC award, said Stu Davis, NASCIO president and Ohio CIO. The Governor's contributions to the state demonstrate his understanding of the importance of IT in enabling citizen service and effective government operations.

Kasich has reached a number of key milestones during his tenure as Governor including significant cost savings through network consolidation and optimization and improving public safety by upgrading first responder communication networks. Kasich also supported the establishment of a Technology Board to enhance enterprise IT alignment and ensure that agency interests are represented within the IT governance process.

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

 

NASCIO Issues a Call to Action for State CIOs on the IT Workforce

LEXINGTON, Ky., Thursday, April 16 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) today released a study on the current landscape of the state Information Technology (IT) workforce: State IT Workforce: Facing Reality with Innovation. The study includes survey data collected from 49 states and territories earlier this year and features findings and recommendations for state chief information officers (CIOs).
 
NASCIO has studied the issue of IT workforce for several years and released reports in 2007 and 2011 on the topic. Building upon these previous offerings, the 2015 report shines a light on the current landscape of the state IT workforce and includes candid feedback from state CIOs. The report also details innovative techniques state IT agencies are using to recruit and retain both entry level and highly skilled personnel.
 
The study is a presidential priority of NASCIO President Stu Davis, CIO, state of Ohio, who said, “for the first time in several years, ‘human resources/talent management’ made NASCIO’s “Top Ten” list for 2015—a compilation of top priorities for state CIOs. Therefore, we felt it was important to take a fresh look at the issue.” 
 
Key takeaways from the report include: 
  • Nearly 92 percent of states say salary rates and pay grade structures present a challenge in attracting and retaining IT talent.
  • 86 percent of states are having difficulty recruiting new employees to fill vacant IT positions.
  • 46 percent of states report that it is taking 3 to 5 months to fill senior level IT    positions.
  • A shortage of qualified candidates for state IT positions is hindering 66 percent of states from achieving strategic IT initiatives. 
  • Security is the skill that presents the greatest challenge in attracting and retaining IT employees.
Read the report at www.NASCIO.org/workforce.

California Offers Cloud Services to State Agencies: NASPO and NASCIO Provide a Case Study of the Technology Trend for State Governments

LEXINGTON, Ky., March 26, 2015 – In July of last year, the state of California launched a service that marked a dramatic shift in the way that state governments procure and provide cloud services to their consumers. This offering is the subject of a new case study published jointly today by the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO).

California’s Cloud Infrastructure initiative is an on premise, private cloud service, procured through a competitive solicitation process, hosted by a third party solution partner and managed and housed at OTech (California Department of Technology) data centers. The initiative offers a virtual environment to OTech’s customers and features on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity and measured service. California’s Cloud Infrastructure has received widespread attention in the state community because of its scope, stature, potential value and procurement approach.
Capitals in the Clouds: California’s Cloud Infrastructure Case Study includes information and advice from the trenches from Neeraj Chauhan, California’s Cloud Infrastructure Project Director, OTech, California Department of Technology; Carlos Ramos, Chief Information Officer, State of California; and Jim Butler, Chief Procurement Officer, State of California. It is the first in a series of planned publications to be released by NASPO and NASCIO that will examine information technology procurement projects in states. “As the leading authorities on state procurement and information technology in state government, our respective associations were able to work together to highlight how different areas of state government can collaborate to respond to emerging trends in infrastructure,” said Krista Ferrell, director of strategic programs at NASPO. “Our aim with this new case study is to provide practical information on successful procurement tactics that can help other state officials who are considering major information technology undertakings.”
“We are delighted to be working with NASPO on this case study series and believe the lessons learned and advice from the trenches will be invaluable to state CIOs as they procure services for their customers,” said Doug Robinson, NASCIO executive director.
The case study can be viewed here: www.nascio.org/CapClouds