While IT Optimization provided the standardization necessary to drive economies of scale through infrastructure consolidation (server, storage, mainframe, and network), the State of Ohio is now focused on the next step – IT innovation.
With the signing of Executive Order 2019-15D, Governor Mike DeWine established the statewide focus on IT innovation. The goal is to make State government a more effective and efficient leader in using technology to improve customer service and save tax dollars. The governor, lieutenant governor, and state chief information officer (CIO) are working together to make IT innovation a top priority. They are committed to improving the lives of citizens and state service delivery through innovative technologies.
While great progress has been made since the signing of the executive order, there is more to be done. The IT Innovation Technology Strategic Plan for 2020-2022 continues to build on the successes of the past, supporting the vision of the DeWine-Husted Administration. IT Innovation will streamline and modernize State IT through a focus on digital experience, data analytics, enterprise shared services, on premise or in public clouds, and collaboration.
The strategy focuses on one team, with one goal - to leverage technology to better serve the people of Ohio.
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month - 10.5.2020
Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted recently recognized October as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Therefore, it is the perfect time to remind you that you are the number one defense against threats to Ohio’s IT infrastructure.
Would-be data thieves prey on State employees using methods like phishing. Phishing is when scammers, usually posing as a trustworthy source, use email to attempt to get you to divulge personal information such as user names and passwords. Phishing attempts are becoming more sophisticated. Spelling and grammar in scam emails has improved, and the look of legitimate websites can be copied.
Be aware if:
Also exercise particular caution when using a mobile device, as its view and functionality often differ from a desktop. If you think you have received a phishing email, contact your IT department or, if you have one, click the “Phish Alert” button in the upper right corner of your email.
RFI Issued for Technology to Support Remote K-12 Learning - 9.4.2020
Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the next steps in Ohio Broadband’s plans to expand broadband access across the state. In an effort to provide K-12 schools with a public, transparent price list that can be used to purchase equipment and services for remote learning, a Request for Information (RFI) was recently issued.
The RFI is asking respondents to provide their best available K-12 educational pricing for equipment and services including, but not limited to, laptops, Chromebooks, hotspots, MiFi, in-home internet, mobile internet such as placing hotspots on buses, and additional products to enhance the connectivity options of students and teachers.
Respondents to the RFI will need to provide the specific equipment they have available, number of units available, price, and amount of time it would take to implement an order. The information gathered as a result of the RFI will be housed in a single location, giving every school district a chance to easily compare what is available.
Additionally, schools can apply for a dollar to dollar matching grant program with the state for hotspots, in-home internet, and internet-enabled devices to students. This funding will be facilitated through the federal CARES Act and will total $50 million. Schools will have the flexibility to use the funding through a connectivity plan that makes the most sense for their student population and district.
Additional details are available within the RFI.
IT Innovation Technology Strategic Plan Published - 8.10.2020
While great progress has been made since the signing of the executive order, there is more to be done. State CIO Ervan Rodgers recently published the IT Innovation Technology Strategic Plan for 2020-2022, which continues to build on the successes of the past, supporting the vision of the DeWine-Husted Administration. IT Innovation will streamline and modernize State IT through a focus on digital experience, data analytics, enterprise shared services, on premise or in public clouds, and collaboration.
One team, one goal - to leverage technology to better serve the people of Ohio.
Please note that the monthly newsletter as well as the website were re-branded to reflect the focus on IT Innovation.
Coming July 27: Redesigned myOhio App Store & New Features for Citizen OH|ID Portal - 7.10.2020
The InnovateOhio Platform is set to release new features for myOhio and OH|ID users to improve your experience and give you increased control over your privacy and security. Updates include a modernized App Store, a new User Dashboard, and access to device and login history.
Of all the changes, the most noticeable is our modernized App Store. Still accessible from within myOhio, the App Store will now launch in a new browser tab. The updated look and feel is similar to the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store and includes some extra functionality.
• Add the applications you use most to your Favorites with just one click. • Search for and request access to applications with ease using enhanced search & filter tools
Across the top of the screen, you will see new tab-based navigation. These and other new myOhio and OH|ID features will be available July 27.
• Dashboard – Your account headquarters. Easily access Account Settings and see your favorite apps. • Sites & Applications – Home of the new App Store! From here, you can access all your existing apps and tools. • Recent Activity – Review the time & location of recent login attempts. Quickly report suspicious activity. • Devices – Rename or hide the devices used to access your account, i.e. smartphone, laptop, work computer.
Want to learn more? Watch the short video tour of the new and improved OH|ID. Job aids are also available on the InnovateOhio Platform of myOhio (under “OH|ID Release 2020” in the middle column).
Ohio Discusses COVID-19 IT Response with StateScoop - 6.5.2020
State CIO Ervan Rodgers and Deputy State CIO Katrina Flory were recently featured in a StateScoop article entitled, “As economies reopen, demands on state IT begin to flatten.”
The article addresses the demand for IT services as part of the COVID-19 response (e.g., reporting virus statistics online, providing information on critical resources and services, supporting virtual private network access, offering training and guidance for virtual meeting solutions, securing hardware for telework, enhancing unemployment solutions, and defending against cyberattacks and phishing attempts).
State CIO Rodgers expressed how impressed he is by the collaborative efforts between agencies and state officials to deploy solutions as new needs arise.
State CIO Rodgers and Deputy State CIO Flory both discussed with StateScoop how now that the demand for IT support is decreasing, there is time to discuss the new normal for IT operations in state government. They are currently working with other states to plan for an eventual return to the office and to identify the solutions that need to be in place to support that initiative.
To learn more about their discussion, visit StateScoop.
A newly created Technology Board will help to enhance enterprise IT alignment and ensure agency interests are represented within the IT governance process and duplicative activities are minimized. The board aligns agencies according to common purpose within five Lines of Business (LoB). Agency CIOs will be aligned by LoB to facilitate the discussion of opportunities, issues, and concerns within their partner agencies. We have selected five Line of Business Leads (LoB Leads) to drive long-term acceptance and sustainability of IT solutions that support the State’s objectives for IT Optimization. The LoB, their associated LoB Leads, and partner agencies are organized as follows:
IT Innovation Information Center
InnovateOhio Platform
IT Application Center
Maintenance Schedules
Customer Service
Service Catalog
IT Enterprise Services portal
IT Strategy and Investment Management
MARCS
9-1-1 Program Office
Telecommunications Contracts and Cloud Services Agreements
Ohio Geographically Referenced Information Program (OGRIP)
Ohio IT Statutes and Administrative Rules
Governor's IT-Related Orders and Directives
State of Ohio IT Policies
State of Ohio IT Standards
State of Ohio IT Bulletins
Enterprise IT Procedures
Statewide Enterprise Buys
Next Generation Telephony Service Virtual Meeting Guidance Local Governments and Political Subdivisions State Agencies, Boards, and Commissions
