Dear TAGITM Members,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and thriving in the ever-evolving world of technology. It is my pleasure to share with you some exciting updates and announcements from our recent activities.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all those who attended the cybersecurity RMG event in Lewisville earlier this month. The event was a resounding success, and it would not have been possible without your participation. I would especially like to thank David Bentz, retired supervisor of the Secret Service Computer Crime Task Force, for delivering an informative and thought-provoking presentation. His insights were invaluable, and we are grateful for his contribution to our community. I would also like to express our appreciation to Nomic, the lunch sponsor for this exceptional event.

I am thrilled to announce that Kevin Joyner has assumed the role of Cyber Security Chair for TAGITM. Kevin's appointment is well-deserved, considering his extensive experience as the CISO of Brazos County and his long-standing commitment to our committee since its inception. With Kevin at the helm, I am confident that we will navigate the rapidly changing threat arena with great success. Please join me in congratulating Kevin on his new role and wishing him the best in his endeavors.

Looking ahead, we have an array of exciting events lined up for the near future. We will be hosting RMG meetings in various areas, providing opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Additionally, mark your calendars for our regional event on June 27, which will be held in Pharr, TX. This event promises to be informative, and we encourage all members in the area to attend. To stay updated on these events and register, please visit our website at tagitm.org.

As always, I want to express my appreciation to each and every one of you for your dedication and commitment to the field of technology. Your passion for excellence and your contributions are what make TAGITM a thriving and influential community. If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Thank you,

Chris Lee
TAGITM President

TAGITM celebrated with several award winners during the 2023 Annual Conference at La Cantera, which included the announcement of a new award for 2024. Click the link below to read more about the awards and their recipients. Congratulations again to all the 2023 TAGITM Award winners!

     

Committee Chairs have been chosen for 2023-2024. We would like to introduce you to Kevin Joyner, our new Cybersecurity Chairperson.

"I look forward to serving the TAGITM community as the Cybersecurity Committee chairperson for this next year.  I hope to continue our forward progress while leading this group of energized and passionate professionals.  It is our goal to provide counsel, direction and even mentoring to those in the TAGITM community that need a helping hand improving their security posture in an ever increasingly hostile cyber environment," Kevin says.

         

We would like to announce our 2023-2024 TAGITM Board of Directors. Congratulations to all!

President – Chris Lee, City of Lewisville

Vice President – Shane McDaniel, City of Seguin

Secretary/Treasurer – James O'Brien, City of Friendswood

Past President – Tony Gonzalez, City of New Braunfels

TML Affiliate Representative – Scott Joyce, City of Euless                             

Education Committee Chair – Fay Young, City of Port Arthur

Communication Committee Chair – Kari Thompson, City of McKinney

Industry Advisory Committee Chair – Sunny Patel, City of Hurst

Membership Committee Chair – Kevin Cameron, City of Allen

Conference Committee Chair – Jennifer Frescaz, City of Midland

Marketing Committee Chair – Jason Power, Town of Westlake

Cyber Security Committee Chair – Kevin Joyner, Brazos County

Nomic Networks
The first ever TAGITM Industry Partner Award has been awarded to Nomic Networks. The award was instituted to honor companies that go above and beyond to build strong relationships with their customers and peers.

GovTech
Cloud computing and payments are among areas furthering the growth of government technology, but labor woes and government debt give rise to potential hurdles.

GovLoop
There are three goals of data ethics: protect civil liberties, minimize risks to individuals and society, and maximize the public good.

Statescoop
Explaining the impact and importance of technology to state lawmakers goes a long way toward achieving IT goals.

GovLoop
Amid increasing vulnerabilities and growing automation and digitization, it is crucial that governments monitor their security.

Should we be afraid? Is this the dawn of Skynet? Is this the end of information technology as we conventionally know it? Or is this simply another tool for the toolkit, another bump in the changing threat landscape of the industry?

City of Seguin CIO Shane McDaniel, shares how being a member of TAGITM has benefited Seguin IT staff and the many technological advancements Seguin has made in the past few years.

           

Many data breaches were reported in May 2023. In this article, Westley Bachmeyer, City of Conroe summarizes the recent Hyatt Data Breach and the questions it creates.