Government technology is like a conductor orchestrating a symphony, bringing together different players to create a harmonious experience. It is critical in enabling public sector agencies to deliver services effectively and efficiently. With technology innovation constantly accelerating, it is more important than ever for government technology leaders to keep their eyes on the future. Michael Leahy, Maryland CIO, discusses staying ahead of tech trends in a StateTech Magazine article by Mickey McCarter.
Maryland’s IT Posture and Technology Priorities
In an interview with StateTech, Michael Leahy, the Secretary of Information Technology in Maryland, discussed the state’s IT priorities and posture. He emphasizes the need to prepare a transition plan to ensure that new administrations know past accomplishments and the value of building on them. Leahy mentions the state’s successful Portfolio Office that manages customer service and project intake flows. Furthermore, three other significant state agencies have adopted the model.
Leahy states that Maryland’s IT priorities are focused on modernizing the one-stop portal for new cloud applications and government technology. He explains that it is a federated system where five significant agencies have IT programs that are larger than his entire department. The state’s focus on the cloud has shifted from cloud-first to cloud-smart, and Amazon Web Services is their preferred cloud partner. Maryland maintains a strong partnership with its private cloud infrastructure, leveraging it for various programs. The expansion of the one-stop portal, MD THINK program, public safety initiatives, and health department programs are indicative of the cloud platform growth.
Government Technology a Key Priority in Maryland
Leahy discusses Maryland’s approach to federal funding for cybersecurity. He explains that the state is waiting for guidance from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on fund distribution. Additionally, Leahy cautions local governments against using the money for frivolous expenses. He suggests that they should focus on investing in common services. He emphasizes that CISA will only allow funding for general services and encourages people to consider implementing common defensive measures.
To read the original article, click on https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2022/10/nascio-2022-qa-maryland-cio-michael-leahy-keeps-his-eyes-future
