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This Week: Governors take to D.C.

By Mitch Herckis posted Feb 25,2014 02:56 PM

  

Key Takeaway: The Governors Take D.C. For Winter Meeting
If it was a bit quieter in your state the last few days, it may be because your Governor was in Washington, DC.  The National Governors Association (NGA) held its Winter Meeting, along with the Democratic or Republican Governors Association meetings that are held in conjunction.


Technology concerns did not play a starring role, but were baked into the discussions at the conference.  Better linking state databases to improve Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs, utilizing data and analytics to improve healthcare outcomes, and utilizing data as a driver of jobs programs all played a role in larger discussions.


Also critical, discussion continues around the role of the National Guard in cybersecurity. The Council of Governors, traditionally a venue for states and federal officials to coordinate homeland defense and National Guard issues, is looking to the Guard's role in cyber defense in the states, and will likely be coordinating with a range of federal agencies on the issue of cybersecurity in the future.


In addition, Governors’ Chief of Staffs heard from Harvard Kennedy School of Government Professor Stephen Goldsmith.  The former Mayor of Indianapolis is a proponent of utilizing big data analytics to reshape the relationship between government and citizens.  NASCIO and NGA Corporate Partner ESRI received NGA’s Public-Private Partnership Award for its work in New Hampshire.


Other Buzz:

Keep an Eye on the RSA Conference

The annual IT Security Conference is a big draw every year. This year there’s a lot of federal involvement, with the cybersecurity framework being the tip of the iceberg. I would try to break it all down here, but Michigan’s CISO Dan Lohrmann already did a better job than I ever could have, so check out Lohrmann’s piece from Government Technology here.  


Also, if you are out there, keep an eye out for NASCIO Executive Director Doug Robinson.  The NASCIO staff is even more jealous than usual of his RSA attendance after realizing Stephen Colbert is the closing keynote.


Federal IT Bill Gains Traction In House (Again)

After facing a setback late last year, the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) is getting another look in the House of Representatives.  The bill was changed slightly from its earlier version, but would still expand federal CIO authority, close federal data centers and aim to reduce wasteful spending on IT.  More from FCW here.


Your Weekly Techbytes:


Schrier: Is FirstNet Stalled?


Does DHS Want a National License Plate Tracking Database?


NIST Cybersecurity Framework: Five Reasons Why it Matters for your Infrastructure


GSA Offers Prizes for Travel Data Tool


‘Patchwork’ of State Laws Complicates Data Breach Response


Map of the World Key to Full Immersion in Geospatial Data


U.S. Ranks Sixth in Use of Digital Government


How Government Data is Fueling a New Economy


Coming Soon: Free Internet from Space


Google Invites 34 Cities to Fiber


Why Facebook Just Spent $19 Billion on a Messaging App

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