GEM

GMIS MEETS registration flash sale ends Friday, July 22!

July 2016 -- GMIS International Update
Join us for the 2016 GMIS MEETS conference, to be held August 14–18 at Caesars in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Created by and for leaders in the IT public sector, the conference offers four days of informative general sessions, specialized educational tracks, interaction with industry-leading providers, networking opportunities and more. All of the conference information is available online at www.gmis.org.

Registration for 2016-2017 CGCIO class closes September 1

July 2016 -- GMIS International Update
Public sector CIOs and IT directors are facing increasing challenges and responsibilities in the era of new governance. As the lines between traditional functional services and departments begin to blur, the IT leadership is charged with 1) managing the constantly expanding role for IT within your government, 2) protecting your government against ever-increasing security threats, and 3) keeping up with the feverish pace of new technology.

Understanding your business: Aligning IT

July 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Clark Rainer Many of my friends seem to have a misunderstanding about what it is IT folks do for a living. Especially those of us who manage IT, develop strategy, and serve in roles like CIO, CTO or director. My background is business having earned my BBA in General Business Administration after completing over 300 hours of undergraduate study (it took 192 hours to graduate). During my studies I managed the auditing department of a large amusement park, and rather than taking a job lined up by my grandfather with a large bank after college, I was given an opportunity to work in IT, reporting to the finance department of that same large amusement park.

How civic interests are helping shape government innovation

July 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Colin Wood, Govtech.com The place where government interests intersect with community-minded activists who are ready to donate their time and talents — best known as civic tech — is the public sector’s fastest-moving innovation inlet.

IT leadership in today’s IT kingdom

July 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Brian Kelley, CIO Review Twenty-five years ago we were the kings and queens who ruled from our thrones over the enterprise technology kingdoms under our control. We chose and dictated the technology and the ways in which it was deployed throughout our kingdoms. Executive management and users sought our royal counsel and our permission in regard to all technology matters. Life was good in the kingdom!

Arizona Department of Administration pilots 'Facebook at Work' platform

July 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Eyragon Eidam, Govtech.com Though Facebook has been testing and gathering input on the product from more than 450 companies around the world, Arizona represents the first government to test drive it for public-sector input.

Connecticut considers retrofitting telephone poles for high-speed internet

July 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Stephen Singer, The Hartford Courant via Govtech.com A proposal has been introduced in Connecticut to outfit utility poles, which have traditionally been used for telephone lines and cable television, with high-speed Internet equipment.

Mindy Dance, information systems manager, Town of Normal, Illinois

July 2016 -- Member Spotlight
Number of IT staff: 9 Population: 54,594 IT budget: 2,019,224

2016 GMIS MEETS Keynote Speakers

June 2016 -- GMIS International Update
As you know, the 2016 GMIS MEETS conference will return to lively Atlantic City, New Jersey, this August. In addition to top-notch peer and vendor-led presentations and break-out educational sessions focusing on management, technical and specialty training tracks, GMIS will welcome the following two keynote presenters, who will focus on topics relevant to government IT leaders and specialists.

President's Message: How’s Your Network Performance? Got Connectivity?

June 2016 -- GMIS International Update
As IT professionals we all know the important of having a robust, healthy, responsive, and fast network with significant bandwidth. Maintaining, building-out, and improving our networks across the IT enterprise is something we contribute great time, energy, and $$$ to doing. If your network is broke, you have a crisis for sure!

GMIS Georgia Chapter Update

June 2016 -- Chapter News
The Georgia Chapter of GMIS International recently held its spring conference in St. Simon’s Island, Georgia from May 1st through 5th. It was a considered a huge success, given that fact that it had more member attendees than ever before (72) as well as more sponsors (33). There was plenty of good feedback from both attendees and sponsors, many claiming it was the best conference ever!

Lighten up: It’s OK to have a little fun on social media

June 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Kristy Dalton, Govtech.com One of the lessons Kristy likes to teach is that it’s OK to have fun on government social media. However, some social media managers aren’t given the leeway to try new things. Sometimes, the best way to get your elected officials or management to allow you to embrace a particular approach is to show them solid examples of agencies that are rocking it. While it’s best to have an eye for knowing when levity is appropriate, some risk-takers have landed on their feet with even risqué posts.

New cybersecurity software enhances organizations' IT toolkits

June 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Sandra Gittlen, StateTech As security professionals know, log management alone isn’t a solid defense against spear phishing, inside attacks and other malicious acts. Security information and event management (SIEM) software vendors heard users’ frustration with tool limitations and expanded product functionality.

Fed records show dozens of cybersecurity breaches

June 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Jason Lange and Dustin Volz, Reuters The U.S. Federal Reserve detected more than 50 cyber breaches between 2011 and 2015, with several incidents described internally as "espionage," according to Fed records. The central bank's staff suspected hackers or spies in many of the incidents, the records show. The Fed's computer systems play a critical role in global banking and hold confidential information on discussions about monetary policy that drives financial markets.

Four issues government should consider before chasing the cloud

June 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Eyragon Eidam, Govtech.com How well do you know the cloud? What are the roles and responsibilities of the companies that provide cloud services? What part does the state or local government IT organization play when it comes to cloud technology? These questions and others were at the center of a panel discussion at the Florida Digital Government Summit held May 12 in Tallahassee.

Google Home: A voice-activated device that already knows you

June 2016 -- Geek's Corner
David Streitfeld, The New York Times The battle for control of the living room just began in earnest. Also, the bedroom, dining room and — it’s a safe bet — the bathroom as well. Google, which knows more things about more people than any other company, organization or government in history, announced on Wednesday a new household device that will use that information to help people run their lives.

Terance Henry, Marion, Illinois

June 2016 -- Member Spotlight
GMIS member since: 2014 Number of IT staff: 2 Population: 17,413 IT budget: $50,000

President's Message: Celebrating KommITS 20th Anniversary!

May 2016 -- GMIS International Update
One of the many strengths of GMIS International is our collaborative relationships with our seven similar international organizations in Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom through LOLA (Linked Organisation of Local Authority ICT Societies).

NJ Annual Conference a record success

May 2016 -- GMIS International Update
The New Jersey GMIS 7th Annual Technical Education Conference attracted record numbers of attendees and vendors, as well as generating record funds for the Educational Foundation.

Did you know as a GMIS member you are also a PTI member?

May 2016 -- GMIS International Update
GMIS is a valued research partner with the Public Technology Institute. Through this partnership, GMIS members receive these following PTI member benefits...

Face public sector IT challenges by getting your CGCIO™

May 2016 -- GMIS International Update
The CGCIO™ Program is a 12-month course that lays the foundation for assessing and addressing some of the most critical issues facing IT leadership in the public sector. The purpose of this program is to equip leaders with the requisite tools to manage and improve their organizational technology assets.

The default for government IT should be 'open and frugal'

May 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Kevin C. DeSouza, Government Technology With public-sector information-technology projects at any level of government, one does not have to look too far to find examples of waste and worse.

U.S. government worse than all major industries on cyber security: report

May 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Dustin Volz, Yahoo News U.S. federal, state and local government agencies rank in last place in cyber security when compared against 17 major private industries, including transportation, retail and healthcare, according to a new report released Thursday.

Local governments: Attractive targets for cybercriminals?

May 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Andy Matarrese, The Columbian Michael Hamilton was the CIO for the city of Seattle when he noticed the city’s security systems had snagged a booby-trapped email.

Ransomware is now the biggest cybersecurity threat

May 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Danny Palmer, ZD Net Ransomware has replaced advanced persistent threat (APT) network attacks as the most problematic cyberthreat -- and early indications suggest that they'll be the main problem for 2016 as a whole, cybersecurity researchers from Kaspersky Lab have warned.

GMIS membership dues increase for 2017 membership year

April 2016 -- GMIS International Update
For the past 10 years, GMIS International Membership Dues have remained constant. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a benefit we have all enjoyed.

President's message: The "Circle of IT Trust"

April 2016 -- GMIS International Update
In the "Circle of IT Trust," we strive to leverage, deliver and support technology across the enterprise and meet the technology needs of our elected officials, director’s users, staff and citizens. Within the circle there is integration, collaboration, communication, trust and support of not only IT, but those of us in IT leadership positions. Building and sustaining the "Circle of IT Trust" is critical to our survival and ability to successfully complete our mission year after year.

Congratulations to GMIS International for 45 terrific years!

April 2016 -- GMIS International Update
April 21, 2016 will mark the 45th birthday for GMIS. On that date in 1971, the first official meeting of the Government Management Information Sciences Users Group took place.

ThinkGard special pricing for GMIS members

April 2016 -- GMIS International Update
The ThinkGard team is committed to the success of GMIS members and is proud to sponsor GMIS International and its state chapters.

Why technological innovation relies on government support

April 2016 -- Legislative Issues
Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson, The Atlantic Andy Grove’s life reveals the role of public investment in creating and nurturing Silicon Valley—and the dangers of disinvestment.

Top 25 doers, dreamers and drivers

April 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Special Section, Government Technology 2016 marks the 15th year of Government Technology’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers awards. During that time, we’ve honored nearly 400 people for their accomplishments using technology to improve internal government operations and help the public sector serve citizens more effectively.

MISA BC Fall Conference 2016

April 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
September 19-22, 2016, the City of Courtenay will host the annual MISA BC Fall Conference in the Comox Valley, located on Vancouver Island’s central east coast. The conference theme of DreamIT will showcase and explore the People, Tools and Technology that are essential to the future of IT.

Workforce disrupted: Major changes ahead for public-sector IT workforce, with GMIS’ own Brian Kelley

April 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Steve Towns, Government Technology The career public servant is a concept nearing extinction. Here's how CIOs are preparing for what's next.

Did you know as a GMIS member you are also a PTI member?

April 2016 -- International News
GMIS is a valued research partner with the Public Technology Institute. Through this partnership, GMIS members receive these following PTI member benefits...

Face public sector IT challenges by getting your CGCIO™

April 2016 -- International News
The CGCIO™ Program is a 12-month course that lays the foundation for assessing and addressing some of the most critical issues facing IT leadership in the public sector. The purpose of this program is to equip leaders with the requisite tools to manage and improve their organizational technology assets.

Socitm president launches women's network

April 2016 -- International News
Eddy Van der Stock, LOLA-ICT Socitm, the representative body for public ICT professionals, has launched a new online network to help raise the profile of women in the sector.

Unlocking the mystery - Microsoft Licensing and TaaS

April 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Mike Manson, Association of Local Government Information Management (ALGIM) We often talk about building closer relationships between Central and Local Government, however the challenge is to give this aspiration practical meaning.

Employees lose two full weeks each year due to IT-related issues

April 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Jacqueline O'Hara, MISA/ASIM Employees could be losing more than two work weeks each year trying to get their computer equipment to work.

Ransomware emergency: What can you do?

April 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Dan Lohrmann, Government Technology The rise in ransomware has taken a dramatic turn for the worse in 2016. Several hospitals recently declared states of emergency.

Mary Stuart, The City of Brewer, Maine

April 2016 -- Member Spotlight
GMIS member since 2009 Number of IT staff: 1 Population: 10,000 IT budget: $146,900

President's message: Rethinking the millennial cybersecurity threat

March 2016 -- GMIS International Update
Millennials are certainly not the advanced persistent cyber security threat in today’s workforce as some perceive. Millennials are the first generation in the information age to grow up with technology in their hands. They are also the first technological and social generation that is extremely savvy when it comes to leveraging information technology to network, socialize, multi-task, and increase productivity and efficiency in both their personal and work lives.

New Jersey GMIS Conference to be hosted next month

March 2016 -- Chapter News
Join NJ-GMIS on April 7, 2016, at the Palace at Somerset Park. The 2016 TEC Conference will feature a number of topical presentations for public sector technology professionals including in-depth technical sessions, management issues, IT specialties and applications, web, social media and communications, K-12, public safety, and more.

Examining the state, local it connection to national infrastructure (industry perspective)

March 2016 -- Legislative Issues
Rachel Eckert, Govtech.com Organizations at all levels of government play an important role in protecting critical systems from cyberattacks.

The president's 2017 budget request: Federal information technology

March 2016 -- Legislative Issues
FierceGovernmentIT Obama's budget request to Congress emphasizes cybersecurity, would create IT modernization revolving fund.

Fact sheet: Cybersecurity National Action Plan

March 2016 -- Legislative Issues
The White House Office of the Press Secretary From the beginning of his Administration, the president has made it clear that cybersecurity is one of the most important challenges we face as a nation, and for more than seven years he has acted comprehensively to confront that challenge.

Aging voting machines cost local, state governments

March 2016 -- Legislative Issues
Sarah Breitenbach, Stateline via Govtech.com As computerized voting machines reach the end of their life span, officials must figure out what to replace them with and how to pay for it.

Hospital's ransomware attack highlights importance of strong endpoint protection

March 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Colin Wood, Govtech.com Ransomware starts the same as any other malware attack, but it's much less effective against organizations that back up their data.

10 steps to making your agency agile

March 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Bill Haight and Robert Read, Nextgov.com It seems that every IT organization in the world is talking about agile. Organizations need to be more agile, use agile project management, adopt agile methodologies – but what does agile really mean? And why is it important to government?

How to recognize (and manage) 5 common developer personalities

March 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Sarah K. White, CIO There is no "one size fits all" approach for managing workers, and that's especially true for developers. Here are the 5 most common developer personalities – and tips on how to manage them.

How local governments can use data centers to better protect critical data

March 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Karen Romano, American City & County Contributor With budgets constrained, government officials are continually on the lookout for innovative and cost-effective ways to protect critical data while maintaining the required level of service to citizens.

The 6 hottest new jobs in IT

March 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Bill Snyder, InfoWorld These leading-edge jobs could prove to be the most lucrative careers in tomorrow’s tech.

2016 conference update: Introducing GMIS MEETS

March 2016 -- International News
You may have noticed a change this year – the GMIS annual conference has been rebranded as GMIS MEETS, the Meeting Education and Expo for the Technology Sector. Same great content and networking opportunities, with a new recognizable brand from year to year!

Did you know as a GMIS member you are also a PTI member?

March 2016 -- International News
GMIS is a valued research partner with the Public Technology Institute. Through this partnership, GMIS members receive these following PTI member benefits...

GMIS Data Dive offers metrics and insight to help manage your budget and IT infrastructure

March 2016 -- International News
The GMIS Data Dive is a one-stop shop for IT benchmarking and metrics analysis based on data provided by GMIS International members from across the United States. Agency member access to the platform is included in your annual membership dues. If you have not yet participated in the GMIS Data Dive, don’t delay!

10 places to watch for autonomous vehicle developments (interactive map)

March 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Ben Miller, Govttech.com States, counties, cities, and universities are all working to put self-driving cars on the road.

The information superhighway

March 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Derek Prall, American City and County All big cities have one thing in common – traffic. It’s frustrating, costly, and bad for the environment. High levels of traffic increase stress, lower quality of life, and make a city less appealing.

Durham, NC, launches Uber-integrated public transit app

March 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Alex Dixon, The Herald-Sun via Govtech.com Transloc Rider will integrate Uber ridesharing, public transit and even walking to offer several options with both prices and travel times.

Penny Parks, Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico

March 2016 -- Member Spotlight
GMIS member since March 2012 Number of IT staff: 1 Population: 8,000–9,000 IT budget: $400,000–$500,000 (including payroll)

President's Message – Brian D. Kelley

February 2016 -- GMIS International Update
"More than 80 percent of the American workforce has a sedentary job that entails sitting pretty much all day long – sometimes for upward of 10 hours at a time with very little intermittent movement. While our ancestors had to walk everywhere to do anything, we've become a nation of butts glued to chairs ..." Let’s face it, most of us in IT are part of this 80 percent who pretty much sit around all day for prolonged periods of time. Sitting is part of our job requirements whether we like or not. That’s definitely been me for me in my 25 years in the public sector.

Georgia GMIS Spring 2016 Conference

February 2016 -- Chapter News
Join the Georgia GMIS Chapter for its Spring 2016 Conference – "Breathe In. Breathe Out. Move On" – May 1-5 at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons Island.

3 Steps Governments Must Take to Succeed in a Digital World

February 2016 -- Legislative Issues
We should use technology to improve what the institution does, building societal value and public support. (Digital Communities)

Surviving the Cyberscare

February 2016 -- Legislative Issues
Local government leaders are scrambling to answer the question: "Are our systems cybersecure?" (American City & County)

2016 State of the State Addresses: Does Technology Matter?

February 2016 -- Legislative Issues
Government Technology’s editorial team analyzes this year’s speeches to see which governors are talking tech. (Government Technology)

7 Ways Local Governments Are Getting Creative with Data Mapping

February 2016 -- Legislative Issues
Government entities appear to be using maps more and more as a tool for creating useful applications. Here are seven ways they're doing it. (Government Technology)

How to Prepare for the IT Department of the Future

February 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
In the IT industry, change is the only constant. So how can IT professionals best prepare themselves for the future? Follow these steps. (CIO)

How Government Can Mine the Value of IT

February 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Too many governments still are thinking too small about information technology, looking narrowly and downward at IT as "the problem." This diverts attention from how the use of technology can shape organizational strategies. (Techwire.net)

Spike in Tech Salaries Adds to IT Recruiting Woes for Government

February 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Government agencies trying to attract top technology talent face growing headwinds as salaries offered by the commercial sector surged by a record amount last year, according to new figures. (State Scoop)

How Data and Sensors Can Monitor Roads After Winter Weather Hits

February 2016 -- Geek's Corner
As blizzards bear down, local governments can turn to technology to protect infrastructure – and inform residents. (State Tech)

Chat Happens: Your Guide to 8 Group-Chat Services

February 2016 -- Geek's Corner
If you're still relying on conference calls or IM, it's time your team explored group chat. Here's what Slack, HipChat, and six other providers have to offer. (InfoWorld)

Member Spotlight: Brenda Ternes, City of Newton, Kansas

February 2016 -- Member Spotlight
GMIS member since 2008 Number of IT staff: 2 Population: 19,000 IT budget: $530,000

President's Message – Brian D. Kelley

January 2016 -- GMIS International Update
2016 ushers in the 45th anniversary of GMIS International! Quoting from the GMIS History Book, volume one, chapter one, page one, paragraph one, first sentence: "In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s Cincinnati, Ohio, and Hamilton County, Ohio, joined together to establish a Regional Computer Center (RCC). This was one of the early, if not the first, endeavors between a City and a County to cooperate in a joint venture of this magnitude. When one thinks of the state of the art of data processing in local government during this period, it is immediately recognized that this was a revolutionary concept of major proportions and one that generated considerable interest in the local government community around the country."

The Challenge of Technology Management and Local Government

January 2016 -- GMIS International Update
By Marc Pfeiffer Like most of today’s organizations, technology is playing are larger and larger role in local government. GMIS members know its use is increasing, in part because the public has come to assume that their local governments will provide services in the same manner in which they receive them from the private sector. The public expects to get what they want, when they want it, and that the delivery process should be easy. To the extent that government agencies do not meet their expectations, the public’s confidence in government to do its job declines. However, the use of technology presents risks. These risks often become apparent only after a new technology is adopted, or when the routine use of certain technologies makes government so dependent upon them that new risks emerge. Government technology managers are often faced with the challenge of mitigating and managing these risks.

GMIS Data Dive Gets the Job Done!

January 2016 -- GMIS International Update
If your organization has not already completed the entry of data into the GMIS Data Dive Platform, you’re missing a great opportunity to have access to great data which can be used to make timely, data-based decisions based on information from comparable organizations. Don’t delay – enter your organization’s information into the Data Dive today and start taking advantage of this great information!

Controversial Cybersecurity Bill Slipped into Federal $1 Trillion Spending Bill

January 2016 -- Legislative Issues
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act was included in the 2,242-page appropriations act passed in late December. (Government Technology)

3 Tips for Boosting Citizen Engagement

January 2016 -- Legislative Issues
Starting in the early 2000s, technology was slowly introduced into the engagement process – now local governments are embracing social media, mobile and desktop applications, and transparency portals. (Government Technology)

State Governments Face Data Security Rules Ahead of SQL Server 2005 Migration

January 2016 -- Legislative Issues
Local and state governments running SQL 2005 must comply with appropriate laws and regulations. (State Tech)

The Best Managers Always Develop Their Employees

January 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
If there is one attribute that sets apart really excellent managers from more ordinary ones, it’s this: the willingness and insight to take the time to bring out latent abilities in employees and help them develop talents they sometimes didn’t even know they had. (Forbes)

Why Is Satisfaction So Low Among Federal IT Workers?

January 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
IT and cybersecurity specialists ranked the lowest among mission-critical occupations in this year's "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government" rankings. Experts blame failures in leadership. (Fed Scoop)

50 Must-Read State and Local IT Blogs

January 2016 -- Professional Development and Leadership
A round-up of some of the best news, analysis and opinion sources of 2015, for state and local tech leaders to follow into the new year. (State Tech)

The Top 16 Security Predictions for 2016

January 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Here's your annual one-stop roundup of what security experts are telling us will happen next. (Government Technology)

Best of CES 2016: Wired's Favorite Gadgets From This Year’s Show

January 2016 -- Geek's Corner
Every year, the entire personal technology industry assembles at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to show off the results of their collective efforts. Wired staffers cruised the show floor all week to compile the most impressive products and best-designed gadgets. (Wired)

Tech Tremors: 5 Bumps to Brace for in the Year Ahead

January 2016 -- Geek's Corner
After a tumultuous 2015 in tech, 2016 promises to be much the same. (Info World)

Experts: Privacy and Security Must Be 'Baked in' as IoT Grows

January 2016 -- Geek's Corner
The amount of personal data created is going to skyrocket as the Internet of Things becomes more pervasive. Experts at CES shared ideas for how companies should protect that data from being abused. (Fed Scoop)

President's Message – Brian D. Kelley

December 2015 -- GMIS International Update
First of all, I am excited to re-announce that the GMIS Data Dive results have been released! Thank you to all who have participated and contributed to this new comprehensive GMIS public sector IT Benchmarking and Metrics tool that will help GMIS members justify new staff or budget, review new initiatives your peers are planning in the next three years or learn what the majority of agencies are using. Kudos to the leadership and efforts of 1st Vice President Justin Heyman, Data Dive Committee Members, CMP Management, and our IAC Partners as well to get us to this point with Data Dive!

GMIS Accreditation

December 2015 -- GMIS International Update
By Marc Thorson I am excited to introduce you to a new initiative in GMIS, which has been designed to help our industry and our organizations. The information technology industry in the public sector is young compared to its colleagues in finance, community development, public works, public safety and others. As these other industries matured, standards and metrics were developed to help standardize best practices so they no longer varied from organization to organization. Collectively, we have built public-sector IT to be an integral part of government organizations. We have established ourselves as solution providers and process analyzers. However, this evolution is not equal across all organizations. A framework is needed to help those working in IT to help make decisions on solutions the organization needs, but in a way that meets industry standards. This framework must be flexible to be useful to a variety of proficiency levels and organization sizes. This framework is the foundation of the GMIS Accreditation program. In developing this framework, GMIS intends to provide a path for organizations to evaluate their current level of information technology, plan and budget for needed improvements, execute this plan, and submit the results for an audit to be completed by an authorized third-party auditing firm.

A Look Back at 2015: Realizing Tremendous Value in Information, Data

December 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Here’s a look at our most popular news stories of 2015. (GovTech)

State Government CIOs, Breaking from Private Sector Peers, See Security as Top Priority

December 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Security and risk management was cited as the top IT priority by state government CIOs, followed by cloud services and systems consolidation, according to a survey by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. (Wall Street Journal)

How Cutting Energy Use Can Make Cities ‘Smarter’

December 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Cities looking to invest in cutting-edge technology can raise the capital by encouraging their workers to use resources, like energy and water, more efficiently, said the head of a consortium designed to support smart cities. (State Scoop)

Government On-Demand

December 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Local governments are providing streamlined processes and government information digitally to their citizens 24-7, on-demand. (American City & County)

NYC Addresses Challenges in Luring Younger Government Workers

December 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
The city’s IT and telecommunications department has come up with a solution to a problem plaguing many. (StateTech)

Power to the People! (Inside Your Agency, Through Social Media)

December 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Here are some guidelines to help you empower the people within your agency — without risking over-exposure. (GovTech Social)

International Director Report: LOLA – 2015

December 2015 -- International News
It was a pleasure to represent GMIS International, along with GMIS International President Brian Kelley, at this year’s LOLA conference on November 17-21 in Antwerp, Belgium. All countries were represented with the exception of Australia; however, an overview was provided by proxy. Each organization gave an overview of activities from home countries. GMIS was excited to report about our Data Dive project, successful conference activity, and upcoming Accreditation program among other activities.

3 Smart City Trends to Expect in 2016

December 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Predictions from research firm IDC revealed three particularly interesting trends emerging around the smart cities movement. (GovTech)

Behavioral Biometrics: The Future of Authentication?

December 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Industry leaders are designing programs that can verify users based on the way they type. (FedScoop)

The Best Holiday Gift Cards and Digital Subscriptions for Techies

December 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Can't decide what to buy a tech-loving boss, client, colleague or favorite 'brogrammer' this holiday season? These great gift cards and subscriptions are sure to please even the pickiest techie. (CIO)

Jim Lawson, Douglas County, Kansas

December 2015 -- Member Spotlight
GMIS member since 1996 Number of IT staff: 11 Population: 110,000 IT budget: $1,387,424.00 (includes personnel)

President's Message – Brian D. Kelley

November 2015 -- GMIS International Update
President Dwight D. Eisenhower is recognized as eloquently pointing out, "You don't lead by hitting people over the head – that's assault, not leadership." Today, we have far too many leaders stepping into the bully pulpit with the false belief they can best lead by leveraging fear and intimidation to achieve goals and objectives. I have unfortunately found myself under such ineffective government leaders in my 25 years in public sector IT. I am quite sure you have your own experiences with bully pulpit leadership.

How State CIOs Can Save $11 Billion

November 2015 -- Legislative Issues
State government CIOs can save precious budget dollars by automating services and focusing on productivity, according to a new report released this week by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. (InformationWeek Government)

2015 Digital Cities: Winners Experiment with Forward-Thinking Tech Projects

November 2015 -- Legislative Issues
This year’s top digital cities have developed a mature infrastructure that lets city leaders experiment with technology projects that are molded in the image of the average citizen's lifestyle. (GovTech)

The Journey to Build Jersey City’s Data Portal

November 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Jersey City Mayor, Steve Fulop wanted more transparency and trust in the public sector, so he set out on a mission to create the City's open data portal, even though that largely meant starting from scratch. (GovTech)

The Four Stages Of Cloud Competence

November 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
In the 1970s, a psychologist named Noel Burch created a learning model to describe how humans go through four stages of learning when introduced to a new skill. This model is known as "The Four Stages of Competence". (Forbes)

IT Chiefs: 'We’re Leaving, and We’re Leaving Fast'

November 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
For the best of IT policies to thrive, the federal government has to double down on leadership. Because in the words of Federal CIO Tony Scott, "we’re leaving, and we’re leaving fast." (FedScoop)

The Best Wi-Fi Router (for Most People)

November 2015 -- Geek's Corner
After putting in more than 250 total hours of research and testing, we recommend the $100 TP-Link Archer C7 (v2) router for most people right now. (The Wire Cutter)

Twitter’s New Polling Feature: Just Fun and Games, or Valuable Tool for Government?

November 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Twitter’s newly announced polling feature looks like a lot of fun for its throngs of avid users, but could it also bring value to savvy organizations looking for instant feedback from the public? (GovTech Social)

Look for More Standing Desks in the Workplace in 2016

November 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Workers are shifting to standing desks, based on the recent GPN-American City & County poll. About 39 percent of the poll respondents believe that more of their co-workers will be doing their jobs at standing desks in the future. A total of 314 web visitors to the site voted in the poll. (American City & County)

Beacons Can Alter Government Communication with Constituents

November 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Beacon technology may still be in its infancy, but state and local governments already have high hopes that these tiny transmitters will improve everything from museum visits to public transit. (StateTech)

Chapter Spotlight: South Carolina

November 2015 -- Member Spotlight
This month, Eugene Rudy interviews Rita Anderson, Program Manager, University of South Carolina, and Janet Claggett, IT Director, Richland County.

President's Message – Brian D. Kelley

October 2015 -- GMIS International Update
While technology is always evolving and IT paradigms shift frequently in the information age, there are some core critical skills for public sector IT professionals that remain constant. We must be technology enablers and visionaries, and today we definitely must be more focused on the PEOPLE than the technology within our organizations. Focusing on people involves aligning IT with the business of government, delivering superior customer service and IT support to end users, working with management to decrease costs and increase efficiencies, and successfully interfacing people with technology. If you’re just focused on technology, you are missing the mark as an IT leader in the 21st century.

GMIS International Uses New Dynamic Benchmarking Application to Share Knowledge Among Members

October 2015 -- GMIS International Update
Dynamic Benchmarking, a provider of customized online benchmarking and reporting solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of a new benchmarking study for GMIS International. The new, web-based tool will provide real-time, peer-to-peer comparison of key performance metrics of public sector IT departments from across the country.

Want to Hire Millennials? Keep an Open Mind

October 2015 -- GMIS International Update
Brian Kelley, CIO of Portage County, Ohio, and president of GMIS, talked with Government Technology about why it’s important to keep an open mind when hiring millennials, who may have different expectations than the employees they replace. Watch the video today to learn more about why millennials may have different expectations than the employees they replace.

SC.GMIS 2015 Network and Telecom Workshop – October 22

October 2015 -- Chapter News
SC.GMIS is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2015 Network and Telecom Workshop! The 2015 Network and Telecom Workshop, scheduled for Thursday, October 22, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., will be held at the Saluda Shoals River Center in Columbia, S.C., and will feature a full agenda of networking, discussions and sharing of information.

10 Smart Cities to Watch

October 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Cities across the country (and the world) are turning to technology to better connect their communities, improve citizen services, and perhaps most of all, find more intelligent ways to manage their resources. (State Scoop)

Microsoft Opens Private High-Speed Cloud Connections for Government

October 2015 -- Legislative Issues
The company hopes to drive cloud usage with 10 GB connection speeds and hard-wired access to servers. (GovTech.com)

Surviving the Cyberscare

October 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Local government leaders are scrambling to answer the question: "Are our systems cybersecure?" (American City & County)

New Jersey Utilizes New Technology to Improve Emergency Response

October 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Officials in New Jersey are using new IT to respond faster to protect residents in the event of disaster. (State Tech)

Why CIOs Should Be Called 'Chief Influence Officers'

October 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
The IT executive today is one of the most important roles within an organization. Debates around exactly what the CIO acronym should morph into have been interesting to say the least. (CIO)

The Dark Side of Early Retirement

October 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Instead of working to retire early, smart folks tend to find work they enjoy so they don’t want to retire. (CIO)

Study: These Words Will Make or Break Your Subject Line

October 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Researchers looked at results from more than 3 billion emails to determine the best- and worst-performing words and phrases. Are you choosing wisely? (Ragan.com)

4 Gov-Friendly Startups to Watch

October 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Can these companies make a difference in how governments share, conserve and connect? (GovTech.com)

Americans Love Technology – But They Want Their Privacy Back

October 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Digital technology now dominates how many Americans interact with the world: how people get their news, talk with loved ones, and how they work. (Next Gov)

Member Spotlight: Michael Blanchard, Augusta, GA, IT Department

October 2015 -- Member Spotlight
GMIS member since 2002 Number of IT staff: 42 Population: 200,000 IT budget: $5.5 million (operating)

Borough of Somerville – Technology Journey Through Time

October 2015 -- Member Spotlight
Paul Allena, technology coordinator for the Borough of Somerville, NJ, with a population of 12,500, gave this presentation last year to the mayor and borough council about how the borough's technology capabilities have evolved throughout the years.

President's Message – Brian D. Kelley

September 2015 -- GMIS International Update
As we end this year and look forward to our 45th anniversary of GMIS International next year, it is both an honor and privilege to lead GMIS forward as we continue expand our reach and increase our impact upon public sector information technology. GMIS International is blessed with a new board of officers for 2015-2016 full of GMIS passion and zeal to press on with the new initiatives launched last year and new projects and endeavors for 2016.

Welcome the New GMIS International Executive Board

September 2015 -- GMIS International Update
Please join us in thanking the members of the 2015-2015 GMIS International Board.

GMIS International Presents Annual Awards

September 2015 -- GMIS International Update
On Monday, August 24, at the Annual Awards Luncheon at the Newport Conference, GMIS International presented 2015 Awards. GMIS International congratulates all of the award winners for 2015! We encourage all agencies to start thinking of potential nominees for the upcoming membership year. Being recognized is a big plus for the individual, their department and their agency.

Chapter Spotlight: Georgia

September 2015 -- Chapter News
Like a good college road trip, we kicked off our Chapter Spotlight tour in Alabama, where Bear Bryant and houndstooth attire are either loved, or loathed if you’re an Auburn fan. This month, we’ve hopped on our GMIS Chapter Spotlight tour bus and are heading down Interstate 20 to Georgia, home of CNN, Coca-Cola and the Bulldog Nation – The University of Georgia.

GA GMIS Fall Conference – September 28-October 1, 2015

September 2015 -- Chapter News
The GA GMIS Fall Conference, September 28-October 1 at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront, will give you the opportunity to learn how the concepts and practices of IT project management can be used in state and local government environments by strategic business and technical operations IT leaders.

Report: What is the U.S. Government’s Role in Cybersecurity?

September 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Mounting threats, new technology and the Wild West mentality of the Web spur discussion on whether the government should assume more of a leadership role. (GovTech.com)

U.S. Justice Department: Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program – Recommendations and Lessons Learned

September 2015 -- Legislative Issues
The recent emergence of body-worn cameras has already had an impact on policing, and this impact will only increase as more agencies adopt this technology.

Should Everyone Get to See Body-Camera Video?

September 2015 -- Legislative Issues
In Washington, D.C., city officials are considering the nation’s most publicly accessible police-body-cam policy. (The Atlantic)

Metrics That Matter: How Does Technology Affect Government Outcomes?

September 2015 -- Legislative Issues
CIOs need to develop better ways to measure the impact of technology. (GovTech.com)

IT Leaders Seek to Solve an Age-Old Problem

September 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Try these tips to recruit younger workers to your ranks. (State Tech)

The Myth of the Cybersecurity Skills Shortage

September 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Everyone seems to think that there’s a lack of qualified security professionals, and that the reason is that there aren’t enough people entering the field with the required skills. (CIO)

Should We Treat Our Private Network as Public? (GMIS Member Article Contribution)

September 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Recently, I received an article from GCN about changing the trust method on a network to trusting no one, including PCs on the private network. It reminded me of an idea I have been toying with for years: firewalling our datacenter off from everyone, including our users. In a similar fashion to the article, it makes perfect sense when you break it into simplest form. Treat everyone as if they are the enemy and your defenses will be better.

To Aid Emergency Management, Turn to Social Media

September 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Law enforcement agencies and first responders would do well to acclimate themselves to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media sites as additional tools in the emergency management toolbox. (American City & County)

Cracking Open Windows 10: Can Windows 10 Serve and Protect Government Users?

September 2015 -- Geek's Corner
New operating systems are always a cause for concern among government users, especially because with most agencies, fancy new features and usability improvements take a back seat to simply getting the job done. (TechInsider)

MISA Ontario "Internet of Things" Conference

August 2015 -- GMIS International Update
I had the honor and privilege to represent GMIS International at the MISA Ontario "Internet of Things" Conference May 31-June 3 in London, Ontario. The conference was attended by more than 500 MISA members and nearly 70 vendors.

Letter from the President: 2014-2015 – Evolving GMIS ... and Pigtails

August 2015 -- GMIS International Update
Thanks to our membership, our sponsors and most certainly our management team at CMP Management, led by Savanna Lott, for a wonderful year of GMIS! 2014-2015 has proven to be very successful, with synergy and team play the keys to success. As I bid adieu to my term as President of the organization, I am proud to have accepted the baton from 2013-2014 President and current Executive Director Janet Claggett last August. I also look forward to passing that same joy of leadership on to 2015-2016 President-Elect Brian Kelley.

Transparency Hinges on Citizens’ Internet Access

August 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Municipal governments are underestimating the value of transparency and the role online access plays in building trust with the public. (State Scoop)

Managing the Hidden Costs of Open Data

August 2015 -- Legislative Issues
For all of its advantages, cost isn't always one of them. But there are ways to keep them down. (Government Technology)

Governments Can’t Battle Cyberthreats Alone

August 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Security needs to be a shared mission between the public sector, education and industry. (State Tech)

Georgia Accuses Public Records Activist of Information ‘Terrorism’

August 2015 -- Legislative Issues
The state of Georgia has filed a federal lawsuit against a well-known public records activist that claims that he is engaging in a "strategy of terrorism" by publishing an annotated version of Georgia state law on his website. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

After Years of Cuts, Cities and States Are Hiring Again

August 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Public employment, long seen as a secure job with good benefits, took a series of hits during the recession, with state and local governments implementing hiring freezes and layoffs. But job-seekers can take solace: Many states and localities are now hiring, buoyed by an improving economy and better-than-expected revenue. (Stateline)

How to Become the ‘Transcendent’ CIO

August 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Increasingly, governments want technology officers to deliver services that make it easier for agencies to accomplish their goals and for citizens to interact with their lawmakers. The same shift is happening in the private sector as well. (State Scoop)

Morale Boosters: 5 Proven Ways to Motivate Your IT Team

August 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
CIOs share their best advice for keeping disengagement at bay. (IT World)

Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2015

August 2015 -- Geek's Corner
From autonomous drones to emergent AI to digital genomes, this year’s list from the World Economic Forum offers its latest glimpse of our fast-approaching technological future. (Scientific America)

Government Data And The Uber Question

August 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Amid the debate in New York City on limiting the number of drivers for ride share companies such as Uber, one key point was glaringly absent: Uber and similar companies born of the recent tech boom — Airbnb, Lyft and others — aren’t just disrupting the services of old-fashioned industries like taxi cabs. They’re disrupting government services too. (TechCrunch)

7 Ways to Ensure a Successful IT Modernization

August 2015 -- Geek's Corner
The risks to holding onto legacy systems are many, but modernizing IT in any sector is not easy or cheap. These tips can help. (Government Technology)

Ellis County, Kansas

August 2015 -- Member Spotlight
Michael Leiker, IT Director GMIS member since 1997 Number of IT Staff: 3.5 Population: 28,000 IT Budget: $556,000

Letter from the President: Matt Wainwright

July 2015 -- GMIS International Update
Commemorating the Fourth of July has always been very special for me. One aspect is family time – picnicking, swimming, boating and the like. But the real reason we celebrate July 4th is to recognize independence from Great Britain. I’ll always remember in school learning for the first time how John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife Abigail: " ... 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America ... commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

A Record-Breaking Year for GMIS International

July 2015 -- GMIS International Update
The 2015 GMIS International Annual Conference is quickly approaching, and we are very excited to share some announcements with our members and sponsor community!

Nominations Now Accepted for the GMIS International Executive Board Election!

July 2015 -- GMIS International Update
Nominations are now being accepted for the GMIS International Executive Board through�Friday, July 17, 2015. Individuals may nominate themselves or another member they feel would be an excellent candidate to serve on the International Board.�

A Recap of the KommITs Conference

July 2015 -- GMIS International Update
Laura Gonzales had the opportunity in May to represent GMIS International at the KommITs conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, which is a conference focused on school and local government. The conference was focused on digital government.

Save The Date! Georgia GMIS Fall Conference

July 2015 -- Chapter News
September 28-October 1 Savannah Marriott Riverfront Savannah, GA

How Technology Is Helping Cities Meet Innovation Challenges

July 2015 -- Legislative Issues
San Francisco held a City Innovate Summit last month, bringing together city leaders from around the globe to explore ways that technological innovations could solve some of today’s major urban issues. (State Tech)

Federal CIO: States Want Common APIs for Federal Services

July 2015 -- Legislative Issues
U.S. Chief Information Officer Tony Scott said his office is developing common application program interfaces, or APIs, to help state and local governments access the information they need from federal agencies. (State Scoop)

Building Effective Cybersecurity Teams at All Levels (Industry Perspective)

July 2015 -- Legislative Issues
What can state and local governments to do protect themselves against cyberthreats? (Government Technology)

CIOs Rethink the IT Department

July 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
IT chiefs react to looming retirements and tech changes. (Government Technology)

What Improv Comedians Can Teach Government Employees

July 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
The guiding principles of improv comedy could help people in the public sector perform better. (Governing)

State CIOs Struggle to Recruit and Retain Millennials

July 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Think it’s tough to attract younger IT workers? Imagine what managers in the public sector face? Unable to match private-sector salary packages, state CIOs try to appeal to millennials' commitment to public service and offer flexible work environment to recruit. (CIO)

IT Talent Shortage Hitting Health Care Hardest

July 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Rather than poach IT pros away from other industries, many health care systems are developing in-house IT talent in an effort to close the workforce gap. (IT World)

How Mobile Impacts Local Government Communications

July 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Acknowledging and making the changes necessary to accommodate mobile trends is the job of every public sector leader. (GCN)

Hot Tech Tools for Today’s Classrooms

July 2015 -- Geek's Corner
With more than 550 companies demonstrating their latest hardware, software and digital content products at this week’s ISTE conference, educators and school technology directors had their work cut out for them assessing what to bring back to the classroom. (State Scoop)

Letter from the President: Matt Wainwright

June 2015 -- Chapter News
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.

What Silicon Valley Can Learn From Seoul

June 2015 -- Legislative Issues
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)

Scaling Down 311: Customer Service is a 'Core Mission'

June 2015 -- Legislative Issues
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)

The Value of Visible Tech for Cities and Counties

June 2015 -- Legislative Issues
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)

States Flex Cyber Leadership Muscle

June 2015 -- Legislative Issues
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)

White House Wants Open Data to Help Local Police Forces

June 2015 -- Legislative Issues
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)

How CIOs Can Reduce Shadow IT in Government

June 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
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)

The Cost of a Data Breach has Jumped 23% in Two Years

June 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
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)

Time to Take a Step Back and Evaluate Moving Forward

June 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
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.

CIOs Must Prepare for Drones

June 2015 -- Geek's Corner
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)

Local Government 2035: Strategic Trends and Implications

June 2015 -- Geek's Corner
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)

Making the Move to Chip-and-Pin Mobile Payments: What Government Agencies Need to Know

June 2015 -- Geek's Corner
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)

GEM State Chapter Spotlight: Alabama GMIS

June 2015 -- Member Spotlight
"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

Letter from the President: Matt Wainwright

May 2015 -- GMIS International Update
The GMIS International 2015 Annual Conference is just a few months away! Your GMIS Conference Committee and GMIS Board have collaborated and worked tirelessly to bring to you a spectacular event. Our agenda includes esteemed keynote speakers, breakout sessions focused on management, tactical and specialty tracks, an exhibit hall full of innovative ideas, and plenty of time to network with your friends (and make new ones).

Follow GMIS on Facebook!

May 2015 -- GMIS International Update
Follow GMIS International on Facebook for the latest about government IT trends, news from the association, updates from our chapters and more.

Brian Kelley, Portage County IT Services, Named Crain's CIO of the Year

May 2015 -- Chapter News
Brian Kelley has been the brains behind Portage County’s information systems for almost 25 years, but that does not prevent him from keeping the county on top of its computer game. While doing it he’s also earned a state and national reputation as an expert in information technology and making it work in the public sector.

House Passes Cybersecurity Bill After Companies Fall Victim to Data Breaches

May 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Responding to a series of computer security breaches in government and the private sector, the House passed an expansive measure Wednesday that would push companies to share access to their computer networks and records with federal investigators. (The New York Times)

Americans’ Views on Open Government Data

May 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Government reformers and advocates believe that two contemporary phenomena hold the potential to change how people engage with governments at all levels. The first is data. The second is public desire to make government more responsive, transparent and effective in serving citizens. (Pew Research Center)

State IT Budgets Show Big Resurgence in 2015

May 2015 -- Legislative Issues
State IT budgets have collectively increased by $4 billion, or about 16 percent, in fiscal year 2015 compared to last year’s figures, as state revenues and overall budgets continue to strengthen, according to a new report from Deltek. (State Scoop)

New Weapons of Choice

May 2015 -- Legislative Issues
From physical to cybersecurity, technology is becoming a key element in public safety’s arsenal. (American City & County)

Hiring Cybersecurity Staff is Hard for States

May 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
A recent report found that states are plagued by a number of problems in hiring and retaining IT staff – especially cybercrime experts. (Government Technology)

The Measures of a Manager

May 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
The question — "How do you measure your own success?" — is deceptively simple, but it seems to rattle most IT managers. (IT World)

Google Innovation Lab Participants Hope to Reinvent Government Services

May 2015 -- Professional Development and Leadership
Google brings its audacious moonshot philosophy for invention to government. (Government Technology)

State and Local Governments Must Plan for Success with Social Media

May 2015 -- Geek's Corner
At a gathering for government social media, leaders shared their experiences and best practices. (State Tech)

Are State Websites Up to the Mobile Challenge?

May 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Google’s recently updated algorithm and ranking device for mobile friendliness may spell trouble for some government agencies. (GCN)

These are the Tech Trends Government Might Not be Ready for

May 2015 -- Geek's Corner
Technology forces including the Internet of Things are changing public and private sectors alike, but governments face unique challenges in fully implementing emerging technology: outdated hiring practices and concerns about the privacy of citizen data, among others. (NextGov)

Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Divsion of Public and Behavior Health

May 2015 -- Member Spotlight
Erin Williams, IT Manager GMIS member since 2010 Number of IT staff: 32 in DPBH Population: 2,758,931 IT budget: $3 million

Letter from the President: By Matt Wainwright

April 2015 -- GMIS International Update
70% Communication, 30% Technical Skill = 100% Technology Leader War stories always abound at networking events, like the upcoming GMIS International Conference in Newport, Rhode Island, on August 23-27. Just a heartless plug of our event, I know, I know. There will be no better event available to a technology person like yourself this year – and certainly not at this price. Biased opinion, but truth nonetheless.

AGL Live – Agile Government in Salt Lake City

April 2015 -- Chapter News
Salt Lake City first introduced Agile processes in the City Council’s office, and since then the Information Management Services office has adopted it as a core component of its project management. In this webinar, Salt Lake City CIO Bill Haight and IMS Business Services Manager Drew Gordan share how they introduced and implemented Agile, including advice, challenges and lessons learned.

How New CIOs Can Work with State Legislatures

April 2015 -- Legislative Issues
Four seasoned state IT executives share lessons learned from their own experience building relationships with legislatures, especially when IT projects fail to meet expectations. (Government Technology)