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FDLE’s IT Leader Discusses Budget, AI and Infrastructure Updates at Member Briefing

Joey Hornsby, CIO of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, met with Industry Insider — Florida members and participated in a Q&A session in Tallahassee this week.

Hansa Bernal, senior national conference director for Industry Insider — Florida parent company e.Republic, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement CIO Joey Hornsby sitting on a stage participating in a discussion in front of rows of people seated in chairs facing them.
Hansa Bernal, senior national conference director for Industry Insider — Florida parent company e.Republic, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement CIO Joey Hornsby spoke at the Industry Insider — Florida member briefing.
Cristina Carter/Industry Insider
The state budget, artificial intelligence and infrastructure were on the agenda Tuesday when Industry Insider — Florida had its members-only briefing featuring Joey Hornsby, CIO of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

FDLE works with local, state and federal agencies to prevent, investigate and solve crimes, ensuring the safety of Florida’s residents and visitors. According to the department’s website, it employs about 1,900 members statewide. Industry Navigator* estimates FDLE’s budget at over $450 million total, with an $11.6 million IT budget.

The following are key takeaways from Tuesday’s presentation:
  • Technology is essential for enhancing safety and efficiency in policing, with the agency ensuring proper maintenance of tools like tasers and compliance with state regulations.
  • Advanced investigative tools, including those for tracking sexual predators and social media activity, are used securely by isolating certain technologies to protect internal networks.
  • FDLE prioritizes cost-effective infrastructure updates, often considering cloud solutions, and relies on external systems to manage costs and maintain functionality.
  • The agency adopts AI cautiously, balancing technical needs with business goals while navigating state policies and ensuring compliance with regulations.
  • Public and officer safety are top priorities, with systems designed to support these objectives, alongside a focus on retaining talent through a supportive environment and competitive pay.
*Industry Navigator is a product of e.Republic, which also produces Industry Insider — Florida.
Cristina Carter is a Tallahassee-based staff writer. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature and a master's degree in international affairs, both from Florida State University.