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Massachusetts Governor Creates Executive IT Secretariat

The state's existing IT agency is set to be replaced by a more consolidated and focused iteration, according to state officials.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the creation of a new executive-level IT office aimed at centralizing IT infrastructure and overhauling policies and procedures throughout the state. 

The so called Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) will replace MassIT and be led by the agency’s Executive Director Mark Nunnelly. State officials said the move is a first step toward consolidating the state’s information technology services and improve cybersecurity.

Today, we formally announce the creation of the Executive Office of Technology Services & Security (@MassEOTSS), led by Sec. Mark Nunnelly. — Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) August 1, 2017
“Establishing the Executive Office of Technology Service and Security will allow state government to streamline state services, improve cybersecurity and better serve our constituents,” Baker said in a press release. “We look forward to developing this secretariat to support the Commonwealth’s focus on providing modern, secure and stable technologies.” 

Baker first presented the reorganization legislation in June 2017. Following a 60-day review, the plan was approved.

“Simplifying IT management will allow agencies to focus on improving their delivery of services to people across the Commonwealth,” Polito said. “We thank the legislature for their thoughtful consideration of this legislation as the pace of technology innovation in Massachusetts continues to accelerate.”

The mission of the new secretariat boils down to centralizing the state’s IT infrastructure across the executive agencies, as well as reviewing and revising the governance around cybersecurity, digital platforms and data.

“The rate and pace of change have forced all large organizations to rethink their digital service approach from a security, service, and structure perspective,” Nunnelly said in the same release. “This reorganization will help equip the many talented IT professionals across the state with the right structure, tools, and platform to secure our information and provide better service to our constituents. We look forward to working with leaders from across the executive branch in making progress against these imperatives.”

Under the terms of the restructuring, EOTSS will use funding from the MassIT fiscal 2018 budget structure, as well as the MassIT office space in Boston and Chelsea. As of Aug. 1, the MassIT website had been adjusted to reflect the organizational changes.

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.