South Dakota

Madhu Gottumukkala, who recently came on board as South Dakota’s chief technology officer, has now been named state CIO and commissioner of the state Bureau of Information and Telecommunications. His first day is Monday.

Outgoing South Dakota CIO Jeff Clines prioritized process improvement and user experience during his four years as technology leader. Now, he will leverage what he learned in his new role as Wyoming CIO.

Madhu Gottumukkala will step into the role next week. South Dakota’s inaugural and longtime Chief Technology Officer Pat Snow retired in June after nearly three decades with the state.

The Mount Rushmore State’s chief technology officer of more than nine years will depart next month after almost three decades of service. The search for his successor is already in progress.

As the state of South Dakota works to transform outdated IT systems, enhance cybersecurity and explore emerging technologies, state IT leadership is keeping the citizens’ experience at the heart of these efforts.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's Office of Economic Development has awarded the final round of ConnectSD broadband grants. The awards will make high-speed Internet available to underserved households across the state.

Sitting along the corner of a public parking lot in downtown Mitchell are four new electric vehicle charging stations that were installed in late November, making them the first of their kind for the area and city.

After a costly cyber attack on the local government in Brown County, S.D., in 2021, the state’s Committee on County Funding and Services is stressing how important it is budget-wise to invest in cybersecurity.

The South Dakota Department of Health has a new system to improve immunization coverage throughout the state. The platform allows health-care providers to securely track records and identify areas in need of attention.

Dakota State University is partnering with the National Security Agency and investing heavily in recruiting, research and facilities in order to build a regional hub for cybersecurity studies and workforce development.

Gov. Kristi Noem signed an executive order this week banning the use of the popular social media platform TikTok on state-issued devices. Noem cited concerns about the platform’s connection to the Chinese government.

Plus, Georgia allocates $240 million toward broadband grants; the Public Library Association is hosting digital literacy workshops at 160 libraries; every state has applied for the Internet for All Initiative; and more.

K-12 Connect is a new program in South Dakota that will provide free Internet service to eligible families of K-12 students for the remainder of the school year, Gov. Kristi Noem announced Tuesday.