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“I have written or co-written several cybersecurity strategic plans over the years, and I think California’s approach is right on target. ... A proper cybersecurity plan should be viewed through the lens of Cal-Secure — as a road map that sets the stage for the future, and in government that means preparing for the people, processes and technology resources to carry out the mission,” writes Mark Weatherford, chief strategy officer for the National Cybersecurity Center.

The California Employment Development Department is seeking California Multiple Award Schedules listed vendors to provide IT training services.

Though few details have been disclosed, the state stands to receive significant federal funding for technology-related projects, including $384 million for electric vehicle charging, at least $100 million to expand broadband Internet access and $40 million for cybersecurity.

Among the IT positions in recruitment by state departments are a chief, a cybersecurity architect, a network architect and a chief information officer.

The Department of Cannabis Control wants better visibility into county-level property data across the state “in order to verify property details on parcels where cannabis cultivation activities are occurring.”

The chief deputy must be “a change agent for the state, providing leadership and direction.” The executive “advises and consults with the statewide project governance and oversight organizations, state departments and agencies, and the Legislature, and provides statewide leadership and direction, technical knowledge and advice.”

As part of Techwire’s ongoing efforts to educate readers on state agencies, their IT plans and initiatives, here’s the latest in our periodic series of interviews with departmental IT and cybersecurity leaders.

Chinyere “Chi” Emodi has worked in IT leadership roles for the California Department of Technology, the Financial Information System for California and Los Rios Community College District. In her new role, she will also serve as deputy director for the Office of Statewide Project Delivery.

The Western Fire Chiefs Association, a nonprofit that started in California during the 1800s, sees much potential in a new tool that can save substantial time and manpower in wildfire recovery missions.

The IT manager will help the county chief information officer with strategic planning and will oversee a variety of technology functions and services. The manager will also work with vendors and contractors.

The California Department of Technology will award the competitive Technology Modernization Fund grants to state government entities that best meet a series of project criteria, including implementation within a year.

In a Request for Information, officials at the California Department of Housing and Community Development want to learn more about possibly seeking a new online system to streamline their business processes and move off paper.

“If implemented, these policies will reduce barriers to the improvement of broadband access and reliability within Yuba County. It also recommends using a public-private partnership model, leveraging state and federal grant dollars to stimulate private-sector investment in broadband network expansion,” said Ian Scott, broadband project manager for Yuba County.

California currently has more than 100 different job openings posted on a state website that are all within the Information Technology Specialist I classification, and many of which can pay more than $100,000 annually.

Data curated by the state Department of General Services shows that agencies as a whole spent more on IT goods and services last November than in any other month since then.

Stockton is seeking to revamp the city site, and a request for information from vendors spells out its needs. If the responses are satisfactory, a request for proposal could be issued next month.

The federal government has released billions of dollars in coronavirus relief funds since the COVID-19 pandemic began — and local school districts face a looming deadline by which they must still spend many millions.

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Award-winning technologist Murtaza Masood has experience in the public and private sectors, including as assistant director of the Los Angeles County Human Resources Department. In his new role, he'll be working with state and local chief information officers across the nation and globally.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises lawmakers, has reviewed several funding streams for broadband that have been made available by the federal government and codified in the state budget.

Two of the openings are with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the others are with the Department of Health Care Access and Information, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Department of General Services.