Chief information officers, security officers, data officers. States, cities, counties. All year, we track the public-sector tech leadership changes across the state. Here are some highlights of who went where in 2022 in California’s public-sector tech governance.
The incumbent “will also collaborate with policy, program and technology leaders across the state to accelerate the delivery of complex, mission-critical and time-sensitive digital projects that support the broader goals outlined in the state’s Vision 2023 Strategic Plan,” according to the job posting and duty statement.
The department’s five largest transactions in this area last month nearly reached the mid-eight figures.
The appointment of a successor to Russ Nichols was among several key appointments announced Thursday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Desirable qualifications include “experience in leadership with a large multi-discipline and geographically distributed staff and the ability to demonstrate and enable collaboration, team building, creativity, innovation, and sound judgment.”
Secretary of State Shirley Weber said the prior vendor contracts were canceled and her office is now working with the California Department of Technology, using its project management system.
Two upcoming events hosted by the state technology department are aimed at informing vendors and local governments about procurement and mapping availabilities.
Past forums have included remarks from CDT’s top leaders, a year in review and a look ahead to the coming year, and a question-and-answer session for those in the industry.
Among its initiatives, the new agency wants to work with state and local governments on cybersecurity, an official said recently.
These key openings are with the California Health and Human Services Agency, the California Department of Technology and the Office of Systems Integration.
The upcoming virtual sessions will center on contract opportunities for the Middle-Mile Broadband Network.
Key state officials and a market expert will offer analysis and forecasts at the State of Technology California Industry Forum, scheduled for Dec. 12 in Sacramento.
“Changes typically proposed may include improvements to data management and architecture, security, system support, monitoring and infrastructure and key updates like a centralized identity management system and full-stack monitoring.”
The technology and risk officials discussed “Securing the Modern Workplace from a Multitude of Threats” at the recent California Cybersecurity Education Summit.
California’s chief information security officer, Vitaliy Panych, outlined some tips during a recent podcast focusing on the people in the state’s technology community. He also spoke about an off-the-job passion that keeps him calm and focused.
The veteran leader in state government and at a Sacramento-area college district has been named vice chancellor and chief information officer.
The department issued the latest in its series of updates on California’s progress toward building a statewide broadband network, which includes details on the administration of federal funding.
The California Department of Technology will welcome several new senior staffers following their appointments Thursday by Gov. Gavin Newsom — and, in one instance, after state Senate confirmation.
During remarks Thursday at the California Cybersecurity Education Summit in Sacramento, state technology and security leaders emphasized the value in working together to keep residents’ information and state assets secure, and highlighted workforce needs.
The department’s five largest transactions in this area reached the mid-seven figures.
State and local government officials commemorated a pivotal moment in California’s multibillion-dollar quest to improve access to high-speed Internet.
This commentary was posted last week by the California Office of Data and Innovation, which encompasses CalInnovate and CalData.
A partnership among state agencies in California and a local transit provider has developed an easy-to-use app where seniors can quickly confirm their eligibility for their fare discount, and then simply tap their credit or debit card as they board the bus.
California’s chief information security officer “works tirelessly to monitor the security of more than 140 state departments and has onboarded most of those departments to monitor their own internal networks,” says the National Association of State Chief Information Officers.
The California Department of Technology describes ITLA as “a training ground for public-sector technology professionals looking to move up in management and the executive ranks.”
The systems integration work is part of the Department of Motor Vehicles’ modernization of its services. It started with occupational licensing and will conclude with drivers’ licenses. All are being done on the Salesforce platform.
Job openings include the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the California Department of Technology, the California Secretary of State’s Office and the Office of Systems Integration.
California’s deputy state chief technology officer, Scott MacDonald, offers an update on what’s pending and what’s coming in the California Department of Technology’s Office of Technology Services.
The California Department of Technology and one of its frequent state collaborators are convening conversations on broadband deployment, digital equity planning and related activities later this month.
The department’s five largest transactions in this area last month reached the low seven figures.
The state of California has been recognized for its technology work by the biennial 2022 Digital States Survey from the Center for Digital Government.
Chief Information Officer Liana Bailey-Crimmins, who is also director of the California Department of Technology, updated IT officials on several initiatives at the California Digital Government Summit.
The California Department of Technology and the Office of Data and Innovation are working on the California Design System, which aims to give the state’s web developers and designers the tools they need to make it easier for residents to access and use digital information.
Procurement leaders advise that before seeking to do business with state government, read the fine print of solicitations, understand the different types of contract vehicles, and take every opportunity to ask questions.
The California Department of Technology initiated an apprenticeship with the union to train employees on how to use IBM zSystems mainframe technology.
The details can be found in the latest edition of the California Department of Technology’s CDT Connect newsletter.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has about two weeks remaining to sign or veto proposed legislation that has cleared the statehouse, including several bills of interest to IT companies.
California’s chief project officer, Chi Emodi, writes about some initiatives the California Department of Technology has undertaken to help projects succeed. The keys, she writes, are effective data storage and management and the sharing of information among departments and agencies.
A budget-implementing bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom affirms many millions in technology and modernization monies for state and local governments.
The state agencies dealing with technology and purchasing and procurement will host the virtual presentation.
Agencies in state government are also seeking to fill positions including chief enterprise architect and IT manager.
Recruitments are under way by departments dealing with public health, technology and employment.
Legislative committees have called a halt to scores of bills, including several centered on technology or innovation — but other examples are still “alive” and could yet clear the statehouse.
The positions are within the California Department of Conservation and the California Department of Technology.
Vendors must request an invitation by email to attend. They will be limited to three attendees per organization.
The Cybersecurity Boot Camp is a four-week online program aimed at preparing the government’s security workforce for security roles within California’s public sector.
Six graduate students from Sacramento and Northern California were selected in a competition judged by senior technology executives from state government.
In a post published Wednesday on the California Department of Technology’s Tech Blog, CDT outlines various procurement approaches and offers guidance in choosing the right approach.
Rita Gass, chief information officer for the California Department of Employment Development, gave an overview of current priorities and future opportunities in an Industry Insider — California Member Briefing.
The document, which took effect July 1, supports IT initiatives in areas including modernization, stabilization and security.
The longtime state executive has been elevated to a key role in her former department’s parent agency, the California Government Operations Agency. She was sworn in Monday.
The longtime tech leader has more than 30 years of service to various departments and has been recognized for his achievements with, among other honors, a CIO of the Year award.
California lawmakers, newly returned from their summer recess, will consider several bills this week with ramifications for state technology and cybersecurity.
This month, we polled our members about whether you preferred in-person events or virtual presentations. And you’ve spoken.
“Due to the strong positive feedback we received from the first cohort, we are excited to offer again this critical statewide training program for our IT workforce,” said Brenda Bridges Cruz, deputy director for the California Department of Technology’s Office of Professional Development.
“It’s really a marriage made for both of us,” he told Industry Insider — California. “My background was ideal for what Informatica was looking for, and I couldn’t be more excited with the products that they offer.”
The positions require familiarity with business intelligence, vendor management, change management and agile project management.
A key state department has delivered the inaugural edition of a resource for IT-related information.
During his tenure, he built a team within the California Department of Technology that served as a strike force, focusing on technology related to the COVID-19 vaccines.
Public-sector IT officials shared their thoughts at the recent California Public Sector CIO Academy.
The state department’s six purchases of IT services last month totaled in the low seven figures.
The California Department of Technology made 40 purchases of IT goods last month and spent in the mid-eight figures on its five top buys which, as was the case last month, included government community cloud and Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program-related technologies.
“For the first time, I’ll be coming at this from the other side of the partnership, listening and collaborating to identify and implement technology solutions that meet each group’s unique business and program needs,” Jon Kirkham told Industry Insider — California.
Duties of the position include “negotiating with vendors and collaborating with customer procurement project managers and staff in the development and oversight of innovative IT and telecommunication procurement approaches on a statewide basis.”
There’s more than one right way to accomplish major technology work but sometimes, tough decisions have to be made for the project to move forward, officials at the California departments of Technology, Motor Vehicles, and Corrections and Rehabilitation said recently at the California Public Sector CIO Academy.
In a new request for proposal, the California Department of Technology and the California Public Utilities Commission seek responses from IT companies interested in working on the Renewables Portfolio Standard Database System Expansion Project.
The California Department of Technology made more than 40 purchases of IT goods last month and spent in the mid-eight figures on its five top buys, which included government community cloud and Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program-related technologies.
The free event will include discussions about procurement and the state’s Technology Modernization Fund and Cal-Secure.
In an interview with Industry Insider — California, Jeffrey Aguilar laid out his priorities as he settles into his new role overseeing security for a county government with more than 100,000 employees and another 20,000 to 30,000 volunteers and interns.
Liana Bailey-Crimmins, a veteran of state technology governance, most recently served as the state’s chief technology officer.
A handful of technology leaders in state government advise those seeking top leadership roles to build relationships, hire smart people, and take advantage of unexpected opportunities.
Amy Tong, secretary of the California Government Operations Agency, discussed the need for her agency to keep transformation moving forward and to cultivate an innovative culture, in remarks that opened day two of the California Public Sector CIO Academy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the value of making services available remotely, Acting Chief Information Officer Russ Nichols told attendees at the California Public Sector CIO Academy.
“One thing that struck me, as I talk to the team and meet everyone, there are a lot of team members that have been part of CDCR for many years, which I think speaks to the level of commitment of the organization’s leadership and support for the team,” Richard Gillespie told Industry Insider — California.
The California Department of Technology has awarded contracts to two vendors that are expected to enable the state to have materials at the ready when work commences on 3,000 miles of broadband infrastructure, to provide statewide high-speed Internet.
Much entity-level detail has yet to be released, but it is already clear that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “May revise” of his proposed 2022-2023 Fiscal Year budget is good news for state-level IT and innovation.
“Participants will be able to attend all or the majority of the academy virtually,” said Brenda Bridges Cruz, deputy director for the Office of Professional Development. “This enables us to extend training opportunities to public-sector personnel across the state.”
Rick Klau, California’s chief technology innovation officer, and Phoebe Peronto, the state’s deputy chief technology innovation officer, shared ideas on IT and entrepreneurship at the recent 2022 NextGen Government Virtual Training Summit.
Several significant proposed laws that could improve digital equity and affect how IT modernizations are done are making their way through the state Senate and Assembly.
Strategic plans can offer a clear perspective on how a state or local government wields IT and innovation. This recurring series examines the strategic plans of state entities as well as counties and municipalities.
The California Department of Technology made more than 40 purchases of IT goods last month and spent in the high seven figures on its five top buys, which included spend in the area of cybersecurity.
Patrick Dennis told attendees at a recent Techwire Member Briefing that his department is focused on data as a way to operate more efficiently while enhancing public access to the state’s 279 park properties.
The California Department of Technology is seeking contractors qualified to repair and install telecom cable at Office of Technology facilities, including the data center in Rancho Cordova. The deadline for vendors to submit bids is May 19.
The California Department of Technology has released a draft statewide broadband map and design recommendations from its third-party administrator, for building out the so-called “middle-mile” network.
Patrick Dennis, a veteran of state IT leadership, has been deputy director and chief information officer for the California Department of Parks and Recreation since 2018. He oversees technology and IT policy for the department, which has an annual budget of about $900 million.
CDT encourages other government entities across the state to use its services. Among those that contract for data center services with the state is the city of Los Angeles.
The California Department of Technology’s five most expensive purchases of IT goods in the year’s first quarter reflected an ongoing relationship with a familiar vendor and centered on cloud-based application suite purchases.
The proposed laws would address what digital equity means to the state and its residents and could provide funding to educators and technologists alike.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is seeking to replace an outdated system with one solution that better meets the varied needs of its Emerging Threats project.
“Our goal is to migrate all ca.gov sites to this more robust, scalable platform that will accommodate our future needs,” writes Blaine Wasylkiw, California’s chief web officer.
The State Controller’s Office is seeking vendors to propose solutions for the sweeping project, with a contract term of four years and five optional one-year add-ons.
“With so many government teams looking to create digital, customer-centric experiences, it seems like the perfect time to officially combine forces,” said Kyle Keyser, vice president of the new Launch Government.
Both positions are with entities within the California Health and Human Services Agency — one in the Office of Systems Integration, and the other in the Department of Child Support Services.
Departments should direct all contractors with agreements valued at $5 million or more to desist from “making new investments in, or engaging in financial transactions with, Russian entities, not transferring technology to Russia or Russian entities, and directly providing support to the government and people of Ukraine.”
“Alpha’s culture, tools, technology and systems thinking approach to operations is something California’s (Technology Modernization Fund) participants should adopt if it’s going to realize a return on that $25 million investment.”
State entities seeking consideration for the money should propose projects with “clear, concrete goals, a viable and quick path to delivery, and strong support from the requesting entity’s executive leadership,” the California Department of Technology says.
Legislators this session are proposing bills that would expand and clarify the uses for blockchain and cryptocurrency.
The chief engineer will oversee the stakeholders performing project management, engineering, design, system planning, specification, diagramming, mapping, and construction of the network, according to the job posting by the California Department of Technology.
In a new invitation for bid, the California Department of Technology is focusing in on the middle-mile aspect of creating a statewide broadband network.
Positions with open recruitments include chief information officer, change management senior analyst, DevOps engineer and application developer.
Blaine Wasylkiw, the chief web officer for the state, describes the open source California Design System, which is helping build websites and products “that put people first and also look great.”
The California Department of Technology’s costliest IT goods and services purchases in February topped $4 million and involved expenses for cloud subscriptions, storage and protection, among others.
The departments with recruitments include the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Department of Health Care Services, and the Department of Technology.
In four budget change proposals, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation looks to address technology service change, cybersecurity and project needs.
California has gone live with a new online site that features a variety of resources around high-speed Internet for residents and governments alike.
The California Employment Development Department has submitted a budget change proposal seeking more than $20 million from the General Fund over three fiscal years, in part to deliver “technical services for the new technologies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The governor led the ceremony Tuesday elevating the veteran state executive to secretary of the California Government Operations Agency.
In a request for quote, the California Department of Technology wants to hear from vendors capable of helping it update hardware and software at several locations.
California’s state Chief Information Security Officer Vitaliy Panych discusses security planning, how vendors can support his team and how the COVID-19 pandemic changed worker experience and cybersecurity.
Two bills now active in the state Legislature aim to improve state IT work and make it more cost-efficient via a focus on less monolithic initiatives.
The California Department of Technology is recruiting for a procurement manager, and the California Department of Human Resources is seeking a project manager.
Two of the openings are in the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; others are in the California Department of Technology and the California Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office looks critically at the California Department of Technology’s needs from the General Fund to address short-term net revenue losses, as discussed in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2022-2023 Fiscal Year state budget.
In a request for proposal that’s pre-solicitation, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services wants to hear from IT companies that can help it work on “911 data analytics services.”
At the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ virtual Vendor Day 2022, DMV and state IT leaders sought solutions to a plethora of comprehensive technology issues.
California’s chief information security officer, Vitaliy Panych, explains how the state offers a financial incentive, known as a “bug bounty,” to encourage ethical hackers to test new products in a controlled environment.
Entities with active IT recruitments include the California Employment Development Department, the Office of Digital Innovation, the California Department of Technology and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
State legislators have proposed laws that could alter the process and procurement of IT projects, generate digital equity in education and highlight the importance of cybersecurity.
In a request for offer, the California Department of General Services on behalf of the California Department of Health Care Services seeks IT modernization strategy and planning for a system that impacts millions of Californians.
“A veteran of state service, Director Tong’s deep experience in the public sector and leadership in the technology field have helped guide key efforts to make government more efficient and effective, including our work to bridge the digital divide and help state agencies navigate complex challenges during the pandemic,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
The California Employment Development Department has submitted two budget change proposals seeking funding for IT modernization that would enable compliance with recent legislation.
PMLA is one of the four career-development academies offered to public-sector employees by the California Department of Technology.
Six key state departments are seeking managers and specialists for oversight roles. Three of these are branch chief recruitments within one department.
The former state chief information security officer, who left the public sector in 2019, said he’s enjoying working in the private sector with data, privacy and health-care technology.
The design system is intended to create a consistent look, feel and navigation path, so Californians can more easily find the online information they need across departments and agencies. With a focus on “user experience” (UX), the design system addresses such elements as typography, design style, content and components.
Several of the California Department of Technology’s costliest IT goods and services purchases in January focused on government community cloud.
The California Department of Justice, the Department of Technology and the Department of Motor Vehicles are seeking candidates for a variety of leadership roles.
Two recent budget change proposals submitted by the California Department of Technology document an evolving IT environment.
The California State Lottery is seeking a senior cloud architect, and the California Department of Technology is recruiting for a project director.
Work is proceeding on several fronts to fully plan and sequence projects and ensure supplies are ready, officials said during the monthly meeting of the Middle-Mile Advisory Committee.
“We are building the middle-mile network based on data and opportunities to improve connectivity that will result in reliable and more affordable service in all regions of the state, including hard-to-reach rural and tribal communities and lower-income urban areas,” write the state’s broadband leaders.
The California Employment Development Department’s purchases of IT services rose significantly in number in 2020 relative to 2019 and 2021, but the value of its five costliest such buys has risen consistently each year.
The California Department of Technology disputes many of the findings in a new report from the California State Auditor, the latest in a series of critiques of CDT since 2013. The Auditor offers recommendations for the department as well as the Legislature on how the state should enhance its security practices.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles’ upcoming event, Vendor Day 2022, will be the latest in its ongoing series of direct engagements with IT companies.
“Delivering for all Californians has guided my work, from standing up the Office of Digital Innovation and developing a more user-centered vision for technology in the state of California, to driving vaccine equity, to building more inclusive financial products,” writes Justin Cohan-Shapiro.
As part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2022-2023 Fiscal Year budget, the California Department of Technology would have two major program changes — and, of course, partner with other state entities on IT projects.
It’s far from a final approved act, but Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2022-2023 Fiscal Year state budget would spend millions to continue existing technology initiatives and begin new projects.
In its annual Ovation Award series, the California Department of Technology acknowledged state staffers whose work “furthered” its mission and delivered outstanding service.
State entities seeking candidates include those related to technology, cannabis control, emergency operations and fire prevention.
The California Department of Technology’s purchases of IT goods haven’t grown dramatically by number during the past three years, but the value of the five costliest buys each year has changed markedly.
“In just over six months, more than 20 percent of the vaccinated population in California have downloaded a digital vaccine record,” writes Rick Klau, the state’s chief technology innovation officer.
The California Department of Technology was cited in previous reports by the State Auditor’s Office for its “high risk” security posture.
2021 was a year of pivotal change in tech leadership at the state and local levels. A look back at the headlines in California public-sector technology may reveal more about the future of the state’s IT governance than about the past.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs is seeking help from IT companies in implementing a software solution.
The California Employment Development Department spent tens of millions on IT services this year, much of it with another state entity.
Changes in California’s technology leadership at the state and county levels were among the headlines in 2021 for Techwire readers. Here’s an overall look at key IT executive changes across the U.S.
Individual results may vary, but here are my picks for the year’s so-called top 5 stories – chosen not by their readership or page views but their significance now and in the future.
The California Department of Technology’s five most expensive purchases of IT goods in 2021, through mid-December, were all made with the same vendor, a familiar presence in state IT, and were quite costly.
Available positions include information security officer, IT manager and senior business analyst/architect.
Officials with the California Department of General Services talked about milestones in telework and potential opportunities, at the recent California Department of Technology Vendor Forum.
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