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Lucas Ropek

Staff Writer

Lucas Ropek is a former staff writer for Government Technology.

People and Careers

Colorado Governor Announces First-Ever Blockchain Architect

Thaddeus 'Thad' Batt, a 20-year veteran of IT, will serve in the new role, which will operate out of the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT).

May 22, 2019
· Lucas Ropek
Broadband & Network

Pew to Launch Broadband Access and State Policy Explorer

The research group will soon release its findings about where the largest connectivity gaps are in the U.S., as well as the state policies and practices being implemented to correct Internet disparities.

May 21, 2019
· Lucas Ropek
Cybersecurity

Iowa Secures Elections with Extensive Cybersecurity Efforts

For the past three years, the state has stepped up its training, outreach and coordination to protect county election systems, with the Office of the Chief Information Officer playing a key role.

May 17, 2019
· Lucas Ropek
Cybersecurity

Aggressive Initiative to Shore Up Cybersecurity in Arkansas

A new bill signed into law by the governor will create an extensive infrastructure for combating bad actors.

May 16, 2019
· Lucas Ropek
Policy

San Francisco Supervisors Ban Facial Recognition Technology

Following extensive input from law enforcement and civil liberties groups, lawmakers voted this week to put a moratorium on municipal use of the technology. San Francisco is the first in the country to make such a move.

May 15, 2019
· Lucas Ropek
Policy

Major Reorganization of Florida IT Agencies Imminent

A bill passed by the Legislature and expected to be signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis will see the state’s predominant IT agency — the Agency for State Technology — folded into the Department of Management Services.

May 10, 2019
· Lucas Ropek
Policy

Package of Privacy Bills Advances in California Legislature

A bevy of bills would create additional consumer protections, but key parts of the legislation have shifted or fallen away since originally introduced. They include restrictions on what data voice assistants can store.

May 08, 2019
· Lucas Ropek
Cybersecurity

For Second Time in a Year, Baltimore Hit With Ransomware

Officials have shut down a majority of the city's servers as a precaution, according to a spokesperson for the mayor's office. Meanwhile, core services like fire, police and emergency medical services remain operational.

May 07, 2019
· Lucas Ropek
PCIO

Michigan Selects Longtime IT Veteran Jack Harris as New CTO

Harris, who has worked within the Office of the Chief Technology Officer for many years, and held the position in an interim capacity since August last year, will now serve at its permanent leader.

May 06, 2019
· Lucas Ropek
Policy

California Proposal Would Curb Smart Speaker Snooping

A bill being considered in the state Legislature would penalize companies that used Internet of Things devices to eavesdrop on consumers without their permission.

May 02, 2019
· Lucas Ropek