GEM

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)

Visit http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/magazine/what-silicon-valley-can-learn-from-seoul.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=1 to view the full article online.

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)

Visit http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/Scaling-Down-311-Customer-Service-is-a-Core-Mission.html to view the full article online.

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)

Visit http://www.statetechmagazine.com/article/2015/05/value-visible-tech-cities to view the full article online.

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)

Visit http://gcn.com/articles/2015/06/03/states-cyber-leadership.aspx to view the full article online.

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)

Visit http://statescoop.com/white-house-wants-open-data-help-local-police-forces/ to view the full article online.

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.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/gms-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=324346&issueID=45122 to view the full article online.

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)

Visit http://www.cio.com/article/2929782/it-management/how-cios-can-reduce-shadow-it-in-government.html to view the full article online.

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)

Visit http://www.itworld.com/article/2927435/security/the-cost-of-a-data-breach-has-jumped-23-percent-in-two-years.html to view the full article online.

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)

Visit http://www.govtech.com//state/CIOs-Must-Prepare-for-Drones.html to view the full article online.

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)

Visit http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/techtank/posts/2015/06/2-local-government-2035 to view the full article online.

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)

Visit http://americancityandcounty.com/blog/making-move-chip-and-pin-mobile-payments-what-government-agencies-need-know to view the full article online.