The networks you are responsible for are completely secure, right?

I'll answer that - no, they're not. And for GMIS members, people who operate primarily at the CIO/CTO/COO and Technology Director level, we've all come to realize completely secure networks are elusive. Secure networks are increasingly more expensive too. Interestingly, PriceWaterhouse Coopers reported detected security incidents actually went down 25% in 2014 in its 2015 Global State of Information Security Survey, Public Sector. Money well spent perhaps? You can actually join in on the survey for 2016 if you want to build next year's statistical analysis.

"I think that we are a determined chapter. We have many struggles that we have to overcome, but we are really working to expand membership and we are actively working with some vendors to help us expand GMIS even further into the Alabama public sector."
– Michael Ramm, City of Northport, AL

The U.S. has a lofty goal for internet speeds that is one six-hundredth the speed of South Korea’s. We are falling further and further behind. (The New York Times)

Customer service is the leading trend in local government, as residents expect levels in their city or town to match what they get in the private sector. As such, 311 is typically a 24/7 proposition. (Government Technology)

IT budgets must fund public-facing technology initiatives, not just behind-the-scenes improvements, as taxpayers look for a return on their investment. (State Tech)

New Jersey recently joined the list of states addressing statewide cyber threat protection through educational and readiness initiatives that aim to protect infrastructure, networks and businesses, as well as state government itself. (GCN)

The White House continued its push for better policing, with President Barack Obama announcing an initiative to use data to improve how community forces operate. The Police Data Initiative, borne out of Obama’s task force on 21st century policing, will examine how open data and innovative technologies can help improve the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they protect. (State Scoop)

Information technology is advancing quickly. Unfortunately, in many instances the advancements are implemented too quickly for research or measurables to determine if the technology is working. The example used in this article is mobile data computers (MDCs) in police squad cars.

A new study highlights rise of shadow IT, unauthorized applications in government agencies, arguing for greater involvement with the business lines of the enterprise and better understanding of users’ needs. (CIO)

Data breaches like the one recently disclosed by the IRS aren't something any organization wishes for, but there's now even bigger financial incentive to avoid them than in the past. The average cost of a data breach has increased by 23 percent over the past two years to $3.79 million, according to a report from IBM and the Ponemon Institute. (IT World)

State CIOs aren’t thinking about drones, but they should be. That’s the message of a policy brief released by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) in May. (Government Technology)

The Internet has modified our daily behaviors, jobs, interests, and the way we communicate with one another. Today a new set of technologies is similarly transforming society, including local government. (Brookings Institution)

Just like virtually every business, most public agencies today accept cashless payments via credit or debit cards or are in the process of updating their infrastructure to support this capability. If your agency is among them or will be soon, two major trends on the horizon could soon change how you do business. (American City & County)