IT Management

AI will bring dramatic change in the next three years, say local government IT execs

But better training on the emerging technology is needed and should be mandatory, according to a new survey.

  • By Chris Teale

How one state’s data office improves government services

Indiana is connecting data from different agencies and training front-line workers to tackle tough problems.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

Why computer security guidelines are so unclear

COMMENTARY | Cybersecurity guidelines are often riddled with excessive or confusing information, spurring a need for clearer instructions from trustworthy sources to better mitigate system vulnerabilities.

  • By Matt Shipman, Futurity

Without digital project management, cities will be ‘out of the race’

With cloud-based solutions, infrastructure planners can collaborate, prioritize projects and streamline permitting, funding and compliance.

  • By Chris Teale

Most government software stinks. Here’s what you can do about it.

COMMENTARY | When IT systems align to their end users’ day-to-day processes, tasks and needs, agencies can increase productivity while more than making up for any marginal cost differences.

  • By Howard Langsam

Passwordless security gains ground

Government mandates on passwords and shifting authentication policy could accelerate the adoption of smartphone-enabled passkeys.

  • By Chris Teale

Public Sector Apps Face Widespread Security Challenges, Report Reveals

A new study found alarming security vulnerabilities across the vast majority of public applications over the last year.

  • By Chris Riotta

Microsoft Unveils OpenAI Service for Government Customers

Microsoft is opening up its commercial generative AI technology to public sector customers and partners.

  • By Frank Konkel

State Scales Up Cloud Workforce With Free Training for Agency Employees

Georgia is offering any employee at a state agency migrating its operations to the cloud free training in an effort to increase technology skills and build institutional knowledge.

  • By Chris Teale

Why Blockchain Is a Key Technology for State and Local Governments

COMMENTARY | Blockchains are a promising solution for securing data in health care, finance, voting and other public applications.

  • By Yu Chen, The Conversation

How AI Is Making One Smart City Even Smarter

Coral Gables, Florida, is leveraging the artificial intelligence chatbot, ChatGPT, to improve how it responds and interacts with citizens.

  • By Stephanie Kanowitz

AI in the Workplace: Local Officials Explore Responsible Use

As more governments experiment with artificial intelligence, local leaders are considering how to leverage AI’s benefits safely and responsibly.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson
Featured eBooks
The State of Trust in Government
Cybersecurity in State and Local Government
Building Data Literacy in the State and Local Workforce

Cybersecurity Standards Gain Ground in Counties

More counties are embracing voluntary cybersecurity frameworks to evaluate their risk and better protect their assets, a recent report shows.

  • By Chris Teale

What State Unemployment Modernization Pilots Get Right

Pilot programs in two states focusing on identity verification for unemployment systems could set the stage for nationwide modernization.

  • By Natalie Alms

An Outdated Tracking System Is a Key Factor in Texas’ Foster Care Shortcomings

The decades-old system foster care officials use to track and monitor the health records of the nearly 20,000 children in their custody is both outdated and unreliable—so much so, advocates say, that children have been harmed or put at risk.

  • By Colleen DeGuzman, KFF Health News

Flexibility, Culture Key to Attracting Laid-off Tech Workers

State and local agencies looking to pick up staff from layoffs at tech companies should be “leaning into different flexibilities,” said one expert.

  • By Chris Teale

Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Help State and Cities Modernize IT Systems

The bill would provide $120 million annually for seven years to fund tech teams and tech planning grants.  

  • By Frank Konkel

We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Server: Preparing Network Infrastructure for Future Elections

COMMENTARY | Elections are times of both predictable and unpredictable surges in IT infrastructure strain. Adequately preparing for this reality ahead of time is imperative for state IT leaders.

  • By Dan Fallon

The Current and Future State of State IT Operations

COMMENTARY | Future trends in state IT were highlighted during the 2020 NASCIO Annual Conference.

  • By Meredith Ward

Looking to Upgrade Your IT System? Try Standing Up a Digital Services Team

COMMENTARY | Governments are running on IT systems that are too antiquated and complex to be effective. In light of the pressures caused by Covid-19, digital service teams are needed to help government officials upgrade their IT systems to better serve the public.

  • By Robert Callahan

A State Agency Scraps Its Paper-Based Licensing System

In adopting a digital licensing system, officials at the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission say they moved away not just from stacks and stacks of paper, but also an old mindset.

  • By Andrea Noble