Louisiana

With a new governor in place, Howze retired from a job he had held for nearly 11 years. During his time with the Office of Technology Services, he worked to reduce the technical debt while also spearheading online bidding, security and other projects.

Plus, a new dashboard compiles state-level rules on digital transformation, the American Library Association launches a new digital inclusion working group for library staffers, and more.

As Government Technology reflected on another year in the books, we asked state CIOs: What stood out for you in 2023?

A nonprofit contractor at Louisiana State University works closely with the U.S. Department of Defense and other national-security agencies to align the efforts of researchers with the needs of the defense industry.

Federal officials say that Louisiana has completed seven of eight requirements — more than any other state — toward awarding construction contracts that will deliver high-speed Internet.

Dickie Howze is the second-longest serving state CIO on the job today. Here, he talks with GT about how private-sector partners can successfully engage with Louisiana given its consolidated IT structure.

Starting this spring, Louisiana State University's humanities and social-science departments will begin teaching students how to use artificial intelligence in research related to their fields.

Nothing is getting easier about being a CIO, not with climate change and ransomware and other problems that require big, coordinated tech responses. A new report seeks to prepare state tech leaders for what’s to come.

The special group tapped by Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration in 2019 to respond to cyber attacks has been in a state of near constant activation. The costs to the state and local government agencies have spiraled in that time, state data shows.

While larger city residents may take for granted the access to high-speed fiber Internet, other residents of rural towns and villages in South Louisiana have long been faced with outdated and overpriced Internet.

Plus, more state leaders react to recent federal funding decisions on broadband, the National Tribal Telecommunications Association will hold an event in August, and more.

Louisiana State University will use a $1.5 million NSA grant to support the new Louisiana Cybersecurity Clinic, which will offer free services through three sub-clinics to help small businesses with technical issues.

The Louisiana state Senate bill faces fierce opposition from the petrochemical industry, which says the new monitors will be costly and may spark unnecessary fear among the public.

Following the devastation of major hurricanes, the Crescent City is pushing towards a more resilient energy system by exploring alternate power sources, microgrids and community resilience nodes.

UNO confirmed Monday that several services had been restored, and others will be brought back online incrementally while state authorities investigate the intrusion and whether anyone's personal data was compromised.

Students and staff are expressing frustration while Louisiana State Police and the governor's office investigate possible cyber threats that prompted a handful of colleges to shut down their Internet services.

The EPA will grant Louisiana more than $2 million to improve air quality monitoring in polluted areas, with much of the grant aimed at historically Black communities between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Auditors for the Port of South Louisiana say damages from the 2021 cyber attack totaled more than $420,000 in misappropriated funds. Only around $250,000 was recuperated through insurance.