Eyragon Eidam is the Web editor for Government Technology magazine, after previously serving as assistant news editor and covering such topics as legislation, social media and public safety. He can be reached at eeidam@erepublic.com.
CIO, Virginia
Governor, North Dakota
Chief information officers from four Southern California communities offered their experiences rolling out smart city efforts. While some offered an optimistic view, others tempered their comments with caution.
Chief Information Officer Jim Weaver explains the importance of good governance, repeatable business processes and a move to Microsoft Office 365 that will be a crucial first step toward all-around efficiency.
Montana Chief Information Officer Tim Bottenfield outlines five things he wants the State Information Technology Services Division to focus on as they work to expand services for both agencies and citizens alike.
Kansas Chief Information Technology Officer Lee Allen explains how, in addition to implementing agency-level security, he gives his CISO the autonomy he needs to protect the enterprise at large.
New Jersey Chief Data and Privacy Officer Carrie Parikh explains how she’s working to standardize protocols for keeping citizen data safe across the state enterprise while also incorporating emerging tech.
William Chumley talks about how his work in Colorado IT drives efficiency across the state by ensuring that tech is an effective part of the work agencies are doing to improve the citizen experience.
CIO Mike Hussey talks about how the state is looking to streamline customer-facing processes like the transfer of vehicle ownership, as well as internal methods of screening for potential fraud and identity theft.
Washington, D.C.’s Chief Technology Officer Lindsey Parker says running an effective IT shop relies on good people, strong cyberdefenses and an eye toward bolstering the workforce for the future.
From breaking long-held processes to capitalizing on the benefits of faster networks, Colorado Chief Information Officer Theresa Szczurek shared the challenges and opportunities facing her state.
Maryland CIO Michael Leahy said that while updating the way citizens interact with government is a high priority, issues around keeping personal data secure must also be addressed to make any system truly efficient.
City Manager, Fort Collins, Colo.
It’s garnered international acclaim, draws in the famous and unknown, but no one can really tell you what it is. South by Southwest is best experienced in person, but photos are the next best thing.
Misinformation, fake accounts and a host of other issues have emerged out of online platforms once heralded as the saviors of democracy. Now, the companies are having to catch up to bad actors with a variety of agendas.
Innovators got the chance to pitch their tech ideas to mayors from across the country for a $10,000 prize on March 10 during the Civic I/O Mayors' Summit at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.
The collaborative environment offered at South by Southwest has made an impact on local government leaders. They share their thoughts and what they will be taking back to their respective communities.
States have been making more moves to protect consumers from data misuse. But some worry federal blanket protections could do the trick without creating a national patchwork for companies to deal with.
Jeanette Manfra, the assistant director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, discussed the challenges facing her office and where new tech fits.
The push to make cities smarter often disproportionately favors people without disabilities. Experts argue that the dynamic must change so that large segments of the population aren't left out.
Body cameras, surveillance, neural implants and more are beginning to pop up in cities. During a session at the Civic I/O Mayors’ Summit at South by Southwest, local leaders considered their roles in a changing world.
As technology advances, privacy and cybersecurity have become more closely linked. Privacy experts took to some of the core issues around data protection at the Washington Digital Government Summit Nov. 8.
Since being tasked with providing IT services across the state, WaTech has had to move thoughtfully into the space. Government Technology caught up with acting CIO Vikki Smith at the Washington Digital Government Summit to talk about it.
During the presidential primaries, more than a billion “knocks on the door” were blocked by analysts at the newly formed center. Roughly three years on, the cybersecurity hub is still at it and evolving rapidly.
Public and private partners gathered in Salt Lake City with Mayor Jackie Biskupski to discuss the future of the city’s connectivity and the introduction of a policy that will formalize the city’s commitment.
Bill Vajda, who was charged with starting the consolidation process for the state’s Office of Information Technology, departed in late August.
Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes said county election staff needed to be quickly trained and deployed to open polling sites that had been neglected by contracted technicians.
From deciding which agencies need their own social channel to figuring out when it's time to call it quits, governments are discovering there is more to pulling the plug than they might have originally thought.
If there’s one thing tech doesn’t need, it’s another acronym, but some are more valuable than others. In the world of social media and emergency management, VOST is one worth knowing.
Government can no longer get away with pushing out the occasional press release — constituents demand real-time access. The changing paradigm toward immediate online engagement requires more coordination and thought from organizations to keep pace.
Raleigh is focusing its technology efforts on meeting the needs of a quickly growing city. For CIO Darnell Smith, making the big decisions is a team effort.
For Chief Information Officer Sharon Kennedy Vickers, technology without a mission is not worth the time.
Deputy Executive Director and CIO, Texas
Attendees of the California Public Sector IT Academy gathered to honor their peers during an award ceremony in Sacramento Feb. 28.
Meeting the needs of 4 million residents is no easy task. But its one that IT leaders in Los Angeles accomplish each day with the measured application of technology.
For certain segments of the population, things the average person takes for granted — emergency notifications or even calling 911 — pose huge impediments and risks for the hearing- and sight-impaired.
Energy behind the effort to bring a reliable and unified network to U.S. first responders is picking up, with 50 states, two territories, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and the District of Columbia now on board.
Three professors who are experts in cybersecurity discuss what's going on in the research field and where it's headed.
Cellphones have been incredibly disruptive to 911 call centers. From pinpointing caller locations to things like text messaging and video capabilities, many jurisdictions are having to adapt to meet a growing constituency of mobile devices.
The state’s effort to start new conversations with what they already have seems to have taken root and is changing the government culture for the better.
If you thought changing bad habits was hard, try getting an entire organization to move in a new direction. Varying interests within any given group and a reluctance to adapt to new ways of doing business often puts organizations and change drivers at odds with one another.
Seeing beyond the hype is essential to successfully moving valuable data and applications to the cloud. Failing to plan and develop a thorough strategy can lead to more problems without any of the perceived benefits.
The modern customer, whether internal or external, doesn’t want to be told “no” to or to run a gauntlet so complex that a license renewal or form filing becomes a multi-day process. That means reworking the government/customer relationship and creating a process with “no wrong doors.”
After an ambitious and successful tenure as Illinois' state CIO, Hardik Bhatt has accepted a position working alongside the public sector.
The state’s first digital transformation officer has accepted a position with the Eagle County, Colo., Department of Public Health.
Customer experience takes center stage in new program honoring governments with the broadest possible definition of what it means to be digital. Utah, Oakland County, Mich., and Denver, Colo., honored.
As leader of the state's Bureau of Enterprise Systems, Raymond talked to GT about his approach to IT.
Embracing the less traditional is part of how to attract the next generation of public servants.
And where in government is innovation easiest to find?
The state's Innovation Center started as a place to test new technology, but it continues to evolve in its role.
Where it comes to issues of cybersecurity and the next generation of IT professionals, Gov. Roy Cooper wants his state to work around the challenges and build on the existing opportunities.
The increasing connectedness of things to the Internet certainly poses a risk for government networks, but San Jose, Calif.’s CIO sees it as a call to evolve.
Rather than getting caught up in what they don’t have, San Jose, Calif.’s IT team focuses its energy on running smarter and more creatively.
A public Wi-Fi project aims to connect the underserved populations within the city.
San Jose, Calif., is looking to move ahead after roughly a decade of deficit and rebuild its IT assets smarter.
CIO Shanna Rahming explains some of the key focus areas her team is working on, including FCC-compliant public safety communications infrastructure, a new ERP system and a move to consolidate the state’s email system.
Chief Procurement Officer Jeff Haag is looking to leverage more mutually beneficial relationships with regional and local partners, and to more carefully review the contracts the state already has.
Looking critically at AI could be the difference between streamlining citizen-centric government services and bogging down the processes and people it was trying to help, according to a new white paper.
Rather than relying on federal data, North Carolina is diving into the weeds when it comes to the connectivity of its constituents. A new tool and a focus on connecting local leaders with the right resources is already making a difference in the state.
Broadband Internet access has been a focal point for legislators across the U.S. In 2017 sessions alone, many states have taken their own shot at crafting pro-access legislation.
The National Governors Association has been focused on engaging states when it comes to cybersecurity, and now a multistate compact stands as another positive sign of progress.
The Arkansas Department of Information Systems (DIS) announced that it filled two key agency IT roles July 31.
New legislation is doing more than outlining the guidelines for state agency data sharing; it’s also strengthening the culture that comes with it.
From large county government to a busy airport system, Acevedo isn’t squeamish about a change of pace or a completely new set of challenges.
The Mississippi Department of Education turned to hard data to put a stop to a trend that had been occurring for as long as the lunch program existed.
The first-place winners in this year's survey don't deploy technology for technology's sake.
Purcell has a lot on his plate — and he wasn’t expecting any of it.
Gov. Dannel Malloy announced a strategy in which the state will focus efforts on education and inclusion around cybersecurity, building a more skilled workforce, and bolstering resources to the public and private sectors.
Facial recognition tech was previously seen as something only the CIAs and FBIs of the world would have access to. But now, in 2017, smaller jurisdictions are deploying it as part of an everyday suite of crime-fighting tools.
At a time when the words “federated model” carry an almost negative connotation, Mississippi has taken an honest look inward and embraced a cybersecurity solution to fit the overall environment.
Officials move past traditional "kill it with fire" approaches and focus on the unmet business needs that are breeding shadow IT.
The legislation that took aim at the autonomy and authority of the relatively young Agency for State Technology was vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott early this week.
In keeping with Mayor Bill de Blasio’s call for more good-paying tech jobs, New York unveiled a center dedicated to bolstering innovation in the augmented and virtual reality sectors.
The island state's Office of Enterprise Technology Services has been struggling to find qualified candidates, so it turned to a professional social networking platform for help, with considerable results.
During his June 21 testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Cybersecurity Regulations, James "Bo" Reese discussed the disjointed nature of federal cybersecurity regulations and the impact they have on day-to-day operations.
In early August, the city will advertise for requests for proposals to modernize the systems used by the Department of Procurement Services.
Acting Chief Information Security Officer Deborah Snyder and former state CIO Brian Digman are among the staff joining the New York Office of Information Technology Services under CIO Bob Samson.
With new technologies and skill sets within their reach, state and local government agencies are seizing the opportunities before them. Texas is no exception.
A tug of war has been quietly raging since the federal government decided states needed to overhaul the identification they issue to their citizens.
Esri, the company known for mapping and analytics, has claimed the City of New York’s Chief Analytics Officer Amen Ra Mashariki for its own.
A National League of Cities panel discussion focused on mayors' key issues, and while usual suspects like economic development and public safety made the short list, technology was a lesser priority than in years past, according to an NLC report.
Supposition about upcoming tech legislation is one thing, but looking back at which bills are succeeding and which aren't paints an interesting picture of just where states stand on big IT issues.
After less than one year in the post, Sree Sreenivasan has departed Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration in the midst of a tech team reorganization.
The controversial rollback of the 2015 Open Internet Order took a step forward after the Federal Communications Commission members voted 2-1 in favor of the reversal.
With distracted driving becoming an increasingly popular target of state law, one New York county is giving drivers a chance to wipe the bad marks from their record through in-car technology.
It’s not unusual to see a county sheriff go after a suspected drug dealer or address a public safety issue. It is, however, unusual to see them dive headlong into the convoluted world of technology legislation.
Dozens of countries are still reeling from the after-effects of a May 12 ransomware attack targeting public and private institutions.
From early cases of wiretapped bootleggers in the 1920s to modern surveillance of smartphone communications, the American legal system has had to adapt to the changing environment. Emerging technologies promise to further complicate this discussion.
As cybersecurity has evolved, the conversation has moved away from attacking threats to how to address them methodically — even tactically.
Despite the threat of nearly complete reorganization, the Florida Agency for State Technology has been funded and maintains its authority through the next fiscal year.
A recently released biannual report details just how interested U.S. law enforcement agencies are in the data Facebook users create on a daily basis.
After months of working under the umbrella of its Department of Finance parent agency through an interagency agreement, the Alabama Office of Information Technology is expected to soon be a freestanding agency.
California's Public Utility Commission CIO discusses staying current in a changing and increasingly challenging environment.
Through a new partnership, the state of Maryland and social network Nextdoor are focusing on getting better information out faster and more efficiently.
The authority tasked with regulating public utilities in the state is looking toward mobile as a means of extending its reach and effectiveness.
After diving headlong into the world of performance-driven local government, Cincinnati officials have released a retrospective on their experiences for other jurisdictions to draw on and learn from.
Preparation and trust are key to positive outcomes around civil unrest. A new report out of the Ohio State University's Divided Community Project offers insights into how governments at all levels can prepare for and manage civil unrest through social media channels.
Despite a landslide vote in favor of legislation to completely retool the agency, officials said there is still work to be done when it comes to the language and scope of the bill.
The Arlington, Texas, Police Department is using video to humanize its officers and combat what officials see as heightened scrutiny and sensationalized media coverage.
At the Government Social Media Conference and Expo in Dallas, Facebook executives said that video and civic outreach continue to be a focus for the social media network.
Just days after President Donald Trump signed legislation into law allowing Internet service providers (ISPs) to sell the personal data of customers, several states moved ahead with legislation to protect the data of their constituents.
The man behind Rhode Island’s push to innovate government is leaving state service for a job with an international education nonprofit.
The fate of the Agency for State Technology, the latest iteration of Florida’s enterprise IT office, should be known within the coming weeks.
Despite some political controversy, IT officials point to the latest statewide audit as support for the ongoing ERP project.
If one Florida lawmaker has his way, the agency could be in for another sweeping reorganization — when it is arguably at its strongest point in years.
Assistant Director, Utah Division of Purchasing
After now-resolved litigation stalled the award of the multi-billion-dollar national public safety broadband network, the FirstNet board voted unanimously to approve the award March 28.
The credibility of online content is strongly linked to the people or organizations sharing it, a recent study found. For government social media-philes, the news means building trust and rapport with followers should be top of mind.
At a time when the state is turning its energy toward bolstering its cyberdefenses, the comptroller's office is tightening the purse strings on key tech upgrades.
A slew of new legislation proves that technology is at the forefront of the collective legislative mind at the state level.
Roanoke, Va., a city well-known for its social media prowess, has upped the ante on citizen engagement.
Oregon CIO Alex Pettit discusses what unifying informational security personnel, establishing a state Department of Information Technology and creating a state chief data officer would mean.
It remains unclear just why the veteran information security professional has stepped down.
While California cybersecurity officials agree that speaking out after an incident can be a disheartening experience, they also agreed that it is essential to communicating a potentially active threat and coordinating an appropriate response.
From finding criminals or rioters in a crowd to metering toll traffic on busy bridges, the minds behind the technology say it won’t be long before a medium created by humans for humans is all machine.
A new approach is putting agency representatives in a room with new voices and new ideas in hopes of addressing some of Rhode Island's most pressing issues.
During the California Public Sector CIO Academy Awards ceremony held March 2, more than 30 individuals were recognized for their contributions to state government — and three leaders were given top commendations for their efforts.
In California, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Franchise Tax Board, and the Department of Health Care Services have tackled the move away from analog processes — and it's done wonders for their organizations.
The benefits of good governance extend beyond the organization and into the relationships with external partners and constituents, California IT and industry leaders say.
Questions about whether Cloudflare's breach had an effect on public-sector data have been answered — officials say no signs of foul play are evident.
Governors from several states discussed what is at risk and the steps being taken to defend their systems during the National Governors Association winter meeting.
The iconic City Hall's days are numbered, to be replaced by more modern digs. But the upgrades come with challenges for the city's busy IT department.
Gov. Rick Scott names CTO Eric Larson as the state's interim IT leader.
Including local government partners in the larger cybersecurity conversation is extremely important, federal and state officials said.
A panel of subject matter experts took to the problems of legislating in the cybersecurity realm and what can happen when lawmakers don't properly understand the tech.
Methods for determining the cases where agencies can make corrective decisions, or might need a warrant, have yet to be ironed out completely.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe discussed some of the challenges present in the cybersecurity space; his state's cyberstrategy; and that cooperation, education and a united front are necessary for the U.S. to ensure sufficient protection against cyberattacks.
Barriers to success continue to plague the cybersecurity space, according to U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul.
Public-sector technologists discussed the ins and outs of thriving in the government space during Laserfiche Empower.
The state has seen a flurry of tech-centered activity in recent weeks.
In a handful of states, chief privacy officers work to guard against the misuse and loss of constituent data. But their jobs are far more intricate than you might imagine.
With governor's races decided, changes to the C suite have been taking shape in recent weeks.
The platform meant to help agencies build privacy protections into their programs is set to exit beta stage on Feb. 3.
One of Dunlap's first orders of business will be to look at how to optimize efficiencies through potential consolidation efforts.
Lawmakers are focusing their efforts on legislation that would boost incentives to service providers and reduce the regulations facing untapped partners.
After assisting with the transition of power to a new administration, North Carolina CIO Keith Werner is proud of what his team accomplished and is looking to new opportunities in the private sector.
States look to new proposals for technology guidance, bringing fresh ideas to the lawmaking conversation.
Law enforcement agencies have more data to contend with than ever before, but the technology they use is also increasingly capable.
The death of Vine spurs questions about what to do when the platforms we love fail. For government agencies, the answer is rooted in policy and public records law.
The state is launching into a $50 million partnership with academic, federal and business partners to bolster the state's cybersecurity standing.
New technology is shaping the types of data that is sought by law enforcement and the criminal justice system. While it holds tremendous value, citizens' rights must be considered carefully.
If CIO Michael Sherwood has his way, new technologies and the companies behind them will flourish in the glitzy jurisdiction.
Providing context to open data sets through GIS mapping aims to make the city’s information beneficial for everyone.
The whole of the Obama administration's online presence — around 250,000 posts from more than 100 accounts — is now available for public searches through a tool launched Jan. 5.
The California city is on the hunt for a new breed of cybersecurity professional: the cyber-risk officer.
Take a look back at the major career changes of the year.
Despite a lengthy IT career in private industry, Hoang says he is taking a measured approach to his new responsibilities.
Government social media experts are hopeful it will mean more eyes on their material.
Students and volunteers gather around high-tech projects to apply a semester's worth of theory to real-world problems.
Ohio is pushing ahead with an RFP meant to broaden the state's access to smaller startups for data and analytics projects.
In the fourth quarter of 2016, an Accela departure, major merger in the gov tech space and the general election outcome took center stage.
In the third quarter of 2016, winners of the Digital States and Digital Counties surveys were announced, among many other things.
A newly announced crime center gives officers in the field real-time, tech-enabled intelligence during large events and critical incidents.
In the second quarter of 2016, social media, public-private partnerships, broadband and police data took center stage.
The Clark County board of commissioners approved the appointment of long-time Deputy CIO Michael Lane during a commission meeting Dec. 6.
In the first quarter of 2016, innovation, open data, Wi-Fi and the GovTech 100 list took center stage.
The tool can help agencies and businesses build privacy into initiatives with a modeling platform that allows them to "look before they leap." And it could catch on across the country.
According to our analytics, these are the stories readers most wanted to read in 2016 -- it’s a revealing look into the issues foremost on the minds of public-sector technology decision-makers.
The state announced its commitment to growing blockchain business and implementing the technology wherever possible.
After two years of heavy use in government circles, the Center for Digital Government has released updates to its Best Practices Guide for Cloud and As-a-Service Procurements.
The details surrounding Arkansas’ abrupt IT leadership changes are few, but what is clear is that a recent forced resignation signals a potential shift in the state’s direction.
With an eye for partnerships and a passion for his work, Illinois CIO Hardik Bhatt is looking ahead to new opportunities for his state.
Experts weighed the benefits and potential pitfalls of the aggressively expanding big data movement during a Council on Foreign Relations panel in Washington, D.C.
A new Web-based tool allows drivers and first responders to play a more active and calculated role in avoiding and predicting traffic accidents.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York would be playing a substantial role in a one-of-a-kind drone testing corridor in the heart of central New York state.
A large-scale breach revealed .gov and .mil credentials used to log into AdultFriendFinder.com and the Penthouse.com family of websites.
Transformation, disruption and collaboration took center stage during the TechWire California Industry Forum, Nov. 8.
After several months of searching for former CIO Debbie Cotton's replacement, Phoenix is drawing from Virginia Beach, Va.'s talent pool.
This year’s top digital cities know data demands are only going to grow, and they want to be prepared.
The presidential election Nov. 8 undeniably shifted the national political power structure, but changes at the state level remain unclear as the impacts of governors' races continue to play out.
California CIO Amy Tong and Deputy CIO Chris Cruz aim to help navigate procurement challenges and opportunities.
Magistrate judges must question the scope and validity of each warrant application that crosses their desks.
Stanford University researchers shared the fruits and frustrations of their efforts to clarify the government's current practices around the encryption of electronic devices during a Crypto Policy Project event Nov. 2.
As facial recognition systems advance and become more widely used by police agencies, the need for policy and will also grow.
Gamiño, currently the CIO of San Francisco, is leaving the West Coast to become New York City's chief technology officer.
As the city's first CIO, Luke Stowe leverages a unified model for one-point access to all city IT services.
Delaware is officially launching access to an open data portal that will allow users to view more than 30 data sets and access mapping capabilities.
States have struggled to meet federal ID requirements since stiffer regulations were passed in 2005; now, as deadlines loom, extensions on compliance are getting more difficult to come by.
Ellis logged his last day as a state employee and is moving on to work at hardware and software reseller SHI International.
The Stockton, Calif., Police Department is upgrading its older body-worn cameras with new units that promise less risk of officer error and more comprehensive coverage during critical events.
After several months behind the wheel of Facebook’s latest product offering, now called Workplace by Facebook, the first state government to pilot the tool is seeing big potential for social networking-themed tools in the public sector.
Hawaii has embraced electronic signatures and plans to expand the efforts to other areas of state government.
Improving technology is offering government new opportunities to meet a range of service needs. In Georgia, officials rely on GIS technology for everything from luring businesses to the state to major initiatives like NextGen 911.
Hacks and breaches pose more of a risk to national security than ever before, but a top Obama adviser says deterrence measures are in place.
Atlanta's overwhelming success is behind a substantial push to transform city operations at all levels. From gathering data in new ways to piloting smart streets, officials hope to identify strategies that will help them deal with explosive population growth.
Georgia has big plans for GIS across many areas, including improving emergency response.
The challenge of balancing data protection and business needs: Over-regulate and you risk holding back valuable innovations. Under-regulate and you potentially put constituents’ information in harm’s way.
Slashing the number of federally run data centers from 2,100 to 1,300 was an efficiency move intended to reduce the $600 billion spent by the federal government on IT infrastructure in the past decade.
Obama's explicit cloud-first policy for federal agencies directed them to consider cloud options for new projects and migrate one existing system per year to a hosted environment.
During Monday night's first presidential debate, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump sparred on a number of issues, but their stances on cybersecurity and defense drew striking differences between the campaigns.
Results of the 2016 Digital States Survey indicate that the effort states are putting into innovation, collaboration and aligning their investments with citizens' priorities has never been higher.
Boston’s Chief of Streets discusses the role of technology in improving city transportation services and the overall safety on Boston roadways.
Former Massachusetts CIO Bill Oates talks technological transformation in government and the importance of executive leadership in this process.
Massachusetts is putting renewed energy into its IT operations and pushing to meet public demand for easier access to government, according to the state IT leader.
The exponential escalation of mobile computing and analytics has given officers intelligence on the go and greatly improved their chances of being in the right place at the right time.
A new study highlights the differences between the technology and innovation policies of the two main candidates jockeying for the Oval Office.
New Jersey officials unveiled new text messaging capabilities to their 911 system in hopes of boosting response times, safety and the on-scene intelligence available to first responders.
Public service may not have the lure of shiny, new private-sector jobs, but some in government are leveraging new tactics to draw in fresh talent.
Some argue the teaching and learning tools of gamification not only have a place in education, but in government, too.
This year’s best government websites shared in common a simple vision of user-centric content, a desire to iterate and collaborate more quickly than in years past, and to watch the market for the latest trends and standards.
Overcoming IT challenges and laying the foundation for more effective governance is the focus of a sweeping initiative to transform the state's technology agencies.
Often the lack of modern search tools and Web best practices make getting to critical information on state legislative portals a challenge.
Surveillance cameras offer a powerful tool for law enforcement, but there are implications to consider for privacy, footage retention and public safety.
The state of Maine is getting a much-needed infusion of grant dollars to digitize and ultimately save the institution's historic newspaper collections — which will available through the institution’s cloud-based repository.
The Islamic State has used social media to effectively spread propaganda and connect with like-minded individuals, and researchers are still looking at what can be done to head off the radical threat.
There could be implications for the public sector hiding in Twitter's new feed management features.
Social media holds great promise for government, but can run aground if left unchecked. Two social media pros discuss the issues they've seen and how to handle them gracefully.
At a recent event, state and local officials discussed insights to be gained from the exponential increase of data and where teams should focus their energy.
Data analytics is driving the agency's daily business decisions as well as helping the agency pursue its strategic goal of being No. 1 in the nation.
In a study aimed at the state legislation across the country, the Sunlight Foundation found that the overarching theme of legislation could largely be described by looking at four main points.
By identifying and predicting when and where EMS calls are likely to occur, the city will be better positioned to improve its offerings.
The growing popularity of biometric technology has the attention of those looking for another layer of security, but as with anything else, there are implications to consider.
In late June, Gov. Chris Christie tapped Dave Weinstein as the state’s CTO and set into motion an aggressive course of action that will no doubt become a model for other states in similar positions.
A recently released scorecard shows that many local jurisdictions are behind in their policies around police body-worn cameras, according to civil rights and policy experts.
Unique public-private partnership develops contracting language to help make the cloud work for the public sector.
During the Democratic National Convention, a panel of experts touched on the need to not only educate the next wave of technology workers, but also pave the way to innovation.
The Illinois State Board of Elections is recovering from and assessing the damage following a cybersecurity breach on July 12.
Unintentional overprescribing is contributing to the rise of opioid addition, but state and national monitoring systems are helping public health agencies keep a pulse on the situation.
Though there is often the unrealistic expectation that a new administration will change all that ails industry or government, American voters and companies should come to the table with measured expectations.
In this year's survey, the Center for Digital Government recognizes 55 counties that understand technology's value, empower their tech leaders, and implement new ideas to make life better for those who live and work there.
State and local governments are taking a variety of approaches to how they regulate police body camera footage. While some aim for protecting the rights of citizens, others want to limit access altogether.
In a July 13 letter, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., questioned whether the companies were doing enough to curb “deadly weapon” sales between users.
With more organizations trying to mitigate the negative impacts of worker's use of social media on daily productivity, researchers are moving to better understand all of the effects — positive and negative.
A recent study offers insights into who catches the attention of state lawmakers across the country.
The popular new technology has the potential to generate considerable economic activity, but there are some very real safety and privacy concerns that have yet to be fully worked out.
New Jersey homeland security officials appointed Mike Geraghty as head of the state's Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, and as acting chief information security officer for the state.
More than 2,000 servers containing the critical applications for 12 agencies were moved to meet legislative orders and protect the IT infrastructure from worsening mold conditions.
Though Facebook has been testing and gathering input on the product from more than 450 companies around the world, Arizona represents the first government to test drive it for public-sector input.
In an effort led by Utah, final details will soon be ironed out on a cooperative agreement that represents a clear path to cloud services for more than 30 states.
Adaptive systems that track changing consumption patterns could help local government find value in AI.
The North Carolina Money Transmitter Act would clarify the state’s language and requirements relating to the currencies like bitcoin, blockchains and distributed ledger businesses.
When C-SPAN went dark in the midst of a congressional sit-in protesting the lack of new gun control legislation, members of the U.S. House of Representatives took to social media platforms to cover the happenings in a less traditional way.
Allison recently discussed how agencies manage and coordinate in the face of evolving threat vectors.
The idea of having an Amazon Echo tied to government offerings may seem more like a novelty than anything else, but in Mississippi and Utah the technology is adding real value to the voice-activated devices.
From the police use of Stingrays to the recognition of notarized blockchain tech, lawmakers across the U.S. have trained their sights on a range of IT issues.
Florida Department of Transportation CIO April Blackburn talks about how cognitive learning can help manage infrastructure.
Big data tools should be viewed as more of a valuable resource than an end product or outcome.
In Utah, officials are looking to the future — when employees, businesses and the general public have seamless and secure access to the systems they need, and nothing more.
How to address the shortfalls in human-centered design has elicited innovative solutions to the all-too-common problems of public service.
Thirty years ago, C-SPAN introduced transparency in the federal government, but there are gaps at the state level that need to be addressed when it comes to effectively sharing video with the larger constituency.
Some in the election administration space haven’t found a lot of other options when it comes to accountable, transparent voting systems — but new options are finally beginning to pop up.
There are some ways around the governance monster and the roadblocks it carries with it.
The more context officials can add to a certain action, the more they will know about a potential breach.
From unexpected costs to unplanned exit strategies, government and industry experts discussed the major concerns impacting a move to the cloud at the Florida Digital Government Summit.
Such homegrown terrorists, along with anti-government militia activity and racially motivated extremism, are often overlooked by the mainstream media, where the focus is largely on the threats posed by outsider groups like the Islamic State.
Those working in the cognitive space say there is real potential for governments in a range of applications.
The Reliable, Organized, Accurate Data Sharing project will help the Florida Department of Transportation effectively process, manage and utilize the growing amount of data coming into its systems from districts across the state.
Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders has developed a successful presence on social media, which was evident during a rally in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, May 9.
Five cities have been named as the testing grounds for the Cool and Connected program, a community-based plan aimed at boosting connectivity and pulling in money for their local economies.
On April 25, an attack launched against the Lansing Board of Water and Light proved just how vulnerable organizations can be to this ballooning threat vector.
New Jersey is perhaps best known for the “Parkway” and former presidential hopeful Gov. Chris Christie. But some might argue that it should be getting attention for its novel fusion center approach to cybersecurity.
Officials in Manatee County, Fla., now have the necessary ammunition to make life-saving decisions: data analytics.
Verizon’s latest worldwide report on data breaches outlines some troubling trends that have become more dangerous to our tech-centric way of life.
Allison has set his sights on building lasting relationships with state agencies and meeting the tight deadlines posed by key infrastructure initiatives.
While the number represents a significant boost in initiative participation, there are still nearly 18,000 agencies unengaged in the process. What is the path forward?
Roanoke, Va.'s communication and media coordinator shares his strategies to make the most out of social media efforts.
Since taking the top technology spot in Montana, Baldwin has focused heavily on connecting agencies to enterprise resources and bridging the gaps between state silos.
The legislation being hailed as an affront to net neutrality took a step forward in the House today against the wishes of consumer rights advocates and interest groups, and would likely face a presidential veto.
The results of an annual report centered on the cyberthreat landscape show an increase in attacks across the board.
Though only a small number of municipalities have efforts to register and utilize privately owned security cameras in their jurisdictions, the movement is growing.
Since the summer of 2015, a handful of local governments and academia have been looking at how to best share their respective data and solutions to problems like homelessness and urban blight most effectively.
The new feature could make it easier for state and local governments to get their messages out to the people who already care enough to follow them.
MacMillan talks about his state’s efforts to recruit talent, bolster the service catalog and protect constituent data from outside threats.
The city of Wichita, Kan., dropped its time-consuming, in-person budget meetings (with low constituent turnout) in favor of engaging the public online throughout the city’s six districts.
A downturn in the economy in 2008 and the need for more control of the information circulating through the community drove positive changes in one California law enforcement agency.
As public-sector organizations grapple with using social media effectively, experts won’t hesitate to advise that a strong, comprehensive policy be a part of the discussion. Here are some things to consider when crafting that policy.
A new study by the University of Washington’s Emerging Capacities of Mass Participation (emCOMP) Laboratory shows that ignoring the problem won’t get you anywhere and that a simple statement from an official can turn the tides on rumors gone viral.
The prevalence of social media has made it a valuable go-to investigative tool for law enforcement, whether for small-time crimes or more serious cases involving life and death.
During a recent talk in Washington, D.C., Pentagon Deputy Secretary Robert Work said that the use of deep learning machines will allow for a better understanding of ISIS as a network — and how to target it precisely and lead to its defeat.
Phoenix CIO Debbie Cotton discusses the direction she sees the nation’s sixth largest city moving in the coming years.
After five years of leading IT for New Jersey, Emanuel's last day in the public sector is April 8.
18F is tasked with helping get federal tech projects on track, but many wonder if its innovative momentum will survive the transition to a new president.
Hawaii’s CIO is working toward continuous process improvement to bring the state government into the modern age.
CIO, Sussex County, N.J.
The team of roughly 175 people throughout the United States is working to develop and test open source, user-centered solutions.
In a new series, GovTech is looking for insights from IT decision-makers on the opportunities and issues facing their respective jurisdictions.
Researchers have developed and studied an algorithm to help better predict online protest through the popular social media platform Twitter.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved legislation that carries the opportunity for the Federal Aviation Administration to trump state and local drone laws.
Officials touted the mutually beneficial collaboration as a means to address some of the state’s aging data center needs.
Keeping better tabs on valuable data and leaning on industry partners are just a few lessons Adm. Michael Rogers had for state and local governments when it comes to cybersecurity.
The stability and benefits in the public sector used to be enough to attract qualified candidates to vital positions in government, but these days, larger paychecks from private companies are luring those qualified candidates.
Industry experts discussed the risks, benefits and next steps around data in the government space during the 2016 RSA Conference in San Francisco.
Extremist groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant also are using well-produced propaganda to draw outsiders to their cause, according to a top Department of Justice official.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced a potential cooperative agreement between the United States and the British government that would provide a reciprocal framework for data sharing between both governments and private industry.
Public and private officials looked to the future of technology in the public sector, honing in on three obstacles IT leaders face and potential opportunities.
The term 'collaboration' gets thrown around a lot in the tech space, but as California officials on the heels of a massive public safety initiative contend, it's the best way of doing IT in government.
Judges selected individuals who led effective teams, most faithfully served their organizations and constituencies, exhibited innovative thinking, and promoted information sharing and collaboration across California government.
In the ever-evolving world of government IT, California state execs weigh in on what they seek when hiring a CIO.
As more things connect, experts say security should be a main consideration, especially in sensitive government environments.
The reliance on data-driven governing has prompted the city of Boston to create a top data chief role and begin the search for the perfect candidate.
Apple CEO announces a fight around the court order to aide FBI in unlocking San Bernardino terrorist’s cellphone citing dangerous precedent and potential for misuse.
Twitter's new feature will voluntarily move posts to the top of a users' newsfeed, which may be a valuable feature for organizations trying to push a message to its followers.
At a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing held Feb. 9, security officials testified about the threats facing the United States -- and possible opportunities.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker noted an increased need for improved communication with private-sector companies, something spurred further by the ever-growing number of devices connecting to the Internet of Things.
Called the U.S. Digital Registry, the effort aims to provide much-needed verification not only for agencies' social media accounts, but also for their third-party sites and apps.
A portion of officers in the California capital's police force have officially moved to an e-citation system — a growing trend in the law enforcement space.
States across the country are taking a look at technology legislation and grappling with everything from 3-D printed firearms, to student and employee data privacy.
The joint city networking project — made possible through an intergovernmental agency agreement — will be a vast step toward modernizing a largely unchanged emergency system.
Government Technology’s editorial team analyzes this year’s speeches to see which governors are talking tech.
Lawmakers in states with a lot of area to cover are steadily moving toward remote testimony for legislative committees. Washington is moving ahead with its own system and plotting a course for statewide expansion.
Advancing technology and a projected skills gap are expected to take a toll on global employment numbers in the coming years.
Reports have said a second bubble is looming in the tech sector, but experts are divided as to whether it will signal impending doom or a new opportunity for savvy business people.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced the creation of a special council to examine state regulation of the so-called sharing economy and how the state can better position itself to take advantage of the growing sector.
The top presidential candidates are charging forward into the digital fray and hoping their approach to wrangling voters online beats the other guy's.
Ohio's director of Unmanned Aerial Systems discusses his mission to see how the state can put drones to work in a region known for its aviation heritage.
President Obama took to video sharing platform YouTube in a three-part, live-streamed interview Friday afternoon that peaked at around 40,000 real-time viewers.
Public libraries in cities small and large are helping to close the digital divide by making portable Internet hot spots available to patrons.
The city of Sacramento is at the center of a video warning presumably posted by the hacker group Anonymous regarding an anti-camping ordinance targeting the homeless.
The city of 50,000 people is an example that just because you’re a small government, doesn’t mean you can’t be on the cutting edge of technology.
Though the California Electronic Communication Privacy Act may slow law enforcement processes that had not previously been outlined, privacy advocates say it is restoring the balance in protecting citizens' digital information.
Recent reports about a Democratic National Committee database breach that allowed staff within the Sanders campaign access to Clinton’s proprietary voter data has sparked concern from both leading democratic candidates about data security.
As media outlets and the public at large pound on the digital front door for the latest poll numbers, results portals nationwide face the strain of hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of hits.
Government needs to take an active role in not only proactively planning for its own use of the Internet of Things, but also in providing innovators with the regulatory environment needed to move forward.
Good data can play a huge role in effective government, but unrecognized barriers often stall progress. Panelists at the Governing California Leadership Forum shared their successes and the challenges facing organizations today.
New priorities were outlined for the FBI in Wednesday testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the agency’s oversight and show new emphasis on nationwide police use of force data.
From talking with policymakers in Washington, D.C., to gathering the support of constituents, local leaders talk about funding programs and the anticipated population boom facing the Union’s most populated state.
The discussion of how to thwart terrorism online was reignited following a mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif. President Barack Obama touched on the challenge of technology in the fight against ISIS in an Oval Office address Sunday night.
The Chicago Police Department will be expanding its body-worn camera program from a 29-camera system to a 1,400-camera system, a move that comes as the city grapples with the fallout from a questionable 2014 officer-involved shooting.
The Department of Justice will also continue its open data efforts and the Department of Technology is prioritizing advancement of CalCloud throughout next year.
Silicon Valley is charging into new territory with digital platforms and tools that connect card-holding medical marijuana patients to herbal medications.
In the second quarter of 2015, a few states created digital registries to track medical and recreational marijuana distribution centers, Facebook unveiled verified pages for government and transportation officials in Missouri unveil plans to launch America’s first smart highway.
At an industry forum on Dec. 1, California CIO Carlos Ramos announced plans to pilot the Contractor Evaluation Performance Scorecard system -- a controversial program that would rate and publish the performance of state contractors.
Connected vehicles and the prevalence of technology in modern cars prompted a joint congressional subcommittee hearing about the so-called “Internet of Cars,” and what private industry is doing to manage consumer safety and privacy concerns.
Following a coordinated attack in Paris on Nov. 13, some are asking whether law enforcement should have access to encrypted social network platforms, like Telegram, allegedly used for terrorist planning purposes.
The center has been an outspoken proponent of advancing what it calls critical security controls, which serve as a substantive starting point for organizations looking to beef up their organizational cybersecurity standing.
Cyberdefenses and increased spending are part of the British response to multiple terror attacks launched in Paris, France, last week. With as many as 129 dead in the coordinated attacks, governments are looking at how to deal with the violent militant group known as the Islamic State.
Danish researchers looked at how Facebook affects the emotions of users and found that people were generally less happy and more anxious than their nonparticipant counterparts.
The latest NASCIO annual state CIO priorities survey outlines where state officials are looking when it comes to IT for the coming year.
A cyberattack affected the San Jose Police Department and inconvenienced city website users until a resolution was reached Monday afternoon.
Those in the civil rights community are glad to see body-worn cameras embraced as a way of increasing police accountability, but some say without meaningful oversight and thoughtful regulation, the technology poses problems.
Organizations with sensitive data are having to look more carefully than ever before at how they approach their cybersecurity strategies in the face of more organized threats. One expert advocates for collecting and sharing information to better thwart bad actors.
As companies rush to stake their claim in the Internet of Things marketplace, successes will come and go -- and the way business is done will change forever.
With more devices than ever connected to the IoT, tech experts are hopeful we will soon be able to harness the data they collect and use it for better decision-making for businesses and government.
This year’s top digital cities have developed a mature infrastructure that lets city leaders experiment with technology projects that are molded in the image of the average citizen's lifestyle.
With some states cracking down on drones, Ohio is looking toward working with academia and industry to support a tradition of flight and business innovation.
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act passed in the Senate by a wide margin, but must still clear the House and President Obama's desk. Proponents say the bill bolsters cybersecurity; opponents say personal privacy is at risk.
Three colleges are set to receive more than $335,000 in grant funds that state officials hope will translate into a much needed boost for workforce training in science, technology, engineering and math.
Twitter’s newly announced polling feature looks like a lot of fun for its throngs of avid users, but could it also bring value to savvy organizations looking for instant feedback from the public?
Illinois’ disjointed grant-making agencies are getting new attention -- and an overhaul that leverages both old and new technology for better accountability.
Students at San Juan High School participate in a Career Pathway program that is designed to teach them real-world skills through interactive coursework.
A San Francisco pilot aimed at unclogging public transportation routes became a permanent fixture for the city with the signing of a new state law.
State CIO David Behen says that despite some negative perceptions of the technology, the move is exciting.
County officials are expecting a retirement surge that will lead to a shortage of tech workers.
A new report finds 80 percent of information security professionals have experienced a data leak and call the problem a substantial concern.
CIO David Behen says the state will utilize data to do it.
Rumors get squashed and the relentless voices of online trolls get countered by facts in a new take on government public relations.
The county also is working on a data analytics pilot to assess how offenders move through the public safety and courts system.
Government officials and industry experts gathered Oct. 7 to discuss the issues surrounding the growing popularity of consumer unmanned aerial systems and their impact on aviation safety.
The state's Department of Technology, Management and Budget has been working diligently to implement an enterprise information management program.
City officials are taking a new, less subjective look at their roads and how to fund them with an innovative program geared toward removing the guess work and saving money.
The CIO for Quicken Loans shares her tactics for a functional, successful organization during the 2015 Michigan Digital Government Summit.
From printable homes to digital human enhancement implants, one industry expert said the blessing of advancing technology will not come without costs of one kind or another.
As the conversation on ride-sharing in Nevada percolated among lawmakers and the ride-sharing industry, the public was engaged in a groundswell of support for their favorite brand. But was their battle cry heard by lawmakers?
A new ordinance prohibits use of UAVs over Levi's Stadium, home of Super Bowl 50; during sporting events at Santa Clara University; and during large events at city parks and public facilities.
Statistical analysis of a decade's worth of data points to a surprise decline in large-scale data breaches.
Officials allege that certain VW diesel vehicles were able to circumvent emissions regulations through advanced "cheat device" software.
North Dakota took the tech spotlight when a law centered on police drone use allowed implementation of nonlethal weapons. The senator behind the legislation says his state may be the first with a law on the books, but other states don’t need new laws to deploy weaponized drones.
This new data analysis platform from Cubic Transportation Systems, its big data subsidiary Urban Insights and MasterCard aims to fuel smarter, more inclusive cities.
City Manager Harry Black catches up on the successes of data-driven initiatives after his first year in Cincinnati's top administrative spot.
Proposed tech-centric legislation tackles everything from smart vehicle safety and consumer drones to police shooting data collection.
The renewal of federal tax incentives hang in the breeze, but industry experts point to a policy extension as the cornerstone of continued growth for the green power source.
Though the scandal was enough to make any public figure cringe, it highlighted some invaluable lessons for existing in a social media-driven society.
The three-year plan will bring affordable statewide broadband service and give the state a competitive edge in education, health care and industry.
Public-sector leaders, agencies and departments are honored for technology excellence at the 2015 New York Digital Government Summit in Albany.
Governors announce new action to improve cybersecurity and risk management plans.
Mounting threats, new technology and the Wild West mentality of the Web spur discussion on whether the government should assume more of a leadership role.
Earthquake warning system funded for now, but long-term funding has yet to materialize.
In September, a host of new tech-centric legislation will take effect in the Lone Star State.
A 31-page report from the Rand Corp. examines the tools, resources and potential stumbling blocks presented by the technologies of the near future.
The responsibilities of chief information security officers have had to evolve significantly in the face of the changing technology landscape, and mounting internal and external challenges.
Experts discuss the uses of data, data legislation, and the potential for a state data “head honcho."
The 2015 legislative session bolsters innovation and the state’s energy outlook.
Low-tech offers an elegant solution to water loss and environmental threats
The ever-growing shift away from stationary computing for everyday Internet access underscores the need for websites that can keep up with on-the-go users.
