This year’s winners of the Digital Cities awards from the Center for Digital Government* stepped up their municipalities’ prioritization of security and citizen services.
One of three Texas winners was Allen, fourth in the 75,000 to 124,999 population category and a recipient last year. Future proofing is one reason the city of about 115,000 is recognized as a digital city — it has been proactive in disaster recovery planning, containing rising technology costs and implementing a remote work policy in 2022.
More than a year after a mass shooting, city leaders list constituent safety and well-being as their top priority. The city uses its website, social media, YouTube and additional channels to convey pertinent news, information and relevant video series.
Allen has locked down technology for a stronger cybersecurity stance and implemented a single platform to manage city hardware. A combination of tools for cybersecurity ensures fleet laptops are secure, endpoints are monitored 24/7/365 and security breaches are caught in minutes instead of hours or days. Equipment and data stewardship along with cost containment help save taxpayer dollars.
Safety and security translate in the IT shop in ways such as embedding IT into emergency management and disaster recovery and creating more internal opportunities to evangelize computer hygiene and cybersecurity. Part of the work has been made possible through state-provided training and federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program funds.
As city IT continues to look toward the future, it has implemented an AI policy but is moving cautiously. Allen has been testing AI for use in IT help desk functions and is planning on more small-batch AI testing such as with Microsoft Copilot and GIS applications.
Today’s story is the first of three, originally published in Government Technology*. Stay tuned for the next two.
*Government Technology, the Center for Digital Government and Industry Insider — Texas are all part of the e.Republic family.
Allen Again Takes Digital City Award for Security, Recovery Efforts
The Center for Digital Government recognized the city for its cyber and disaster recovery priorities, continuous improvement and fiscal responsibility.
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