Stephanie Dedmon told NASCIO's 2019 conference that her staff needs to focus on customer needs, not just the tech.

State and local governments often struggle with outdated technology infrastructure, middling enterprise performance, and fending off a growing barrage of cyberattacks. One reason is a lack of technical talent. New survey data shared this week in a workforce-themed webinar hosted by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers did not bode particularly well for government leaders who continue to struggle to get the help they need. Gerald Young, a…

Last year, Michigan began offering its smaller cities and counties cybersecurity help. The idea was that even if local governments became more reliant on technology, they might not be able to afford full-time information security personnel. Through offering assessments and remedies, the state effectively began offering its services as a chief information security officer for hire. The program has been so successful for the nine local governments that participated, that the state’s top information technology officials are trying to…

As Alabama fights to pass a budget that will fully fund its government, state IT officials like Brunson White are forced to make do with what they have.