Below is more information about these efforts and where they currently stand:
REINFORCING CYBERSECURITY AND PROTECTING DATA STATEWIDE
- The Florida Digital Service, which partners with state agencies to transform state government digital services through technology, launched the state’s first Local Government Cybersecurity Grant Program in February 2023. Since then, the state has invested $30 million into the program, resulting in 66 of Florida’s 67 counties submitting funding applications. Also noteworthy is that 94 percent of awardees agreed to integrate with the State Cybersecurity Operations Center to provide a consolidated view of the state’s cyber threat landscape.
- Based on Gov. DeSantis’ Executive Order 22-216, “DMS directed agencies to remove applications from foreign countries of concern” to prevent unnecessary eavesdropping and data collection on Floridians or the state government.
- DMS’ Retirement and People First divisions worked on safeguarding employee and Florida Retirement System member data, resulting in them setting up text notifications for direct deposit changes and implementing data encryption protocols.
- The Florida Digital Service Office of Data Science and Analytics created the state’s first data governance guidelines for enterprisewide implementation and is working with 15 agencies on data-sharing agreements.
- The Florida Digital Service, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Commerce, built a model to identify data overlaps within disparate systems, reducing redundant data collection.
WORKING WITH STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS
- DMS deployed more than 70 Starlink satellite Internet kits in response to Hurricane Idalia, providing secure and reliable connectivity for recovery sites.
- The agency’s Division of Telecommunications worked with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office to modernize its radio system to align with state upgrades, enhance communication between dispatch and response, and improve response times.
- The agency’s Division of Real Estate Development and Management broke ground on the state’s Emergency Operations Center, which will support expanded response and recovery efforts. For context, DMS is managing the construction of the 206,000-square-foot facility on behalf of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- The agency’s Division of State Purchasing adopted new procurement methods to adapt to changing supply chain conditions.
STRENGTHENING THE STATE’S WORKFORCE
- DMS’ Division of Retirement implemented Florida Retirement System enhancements to ensure users’ timely payment of benefits.
More information about the agency’s work can be found online.
