LANSING – Out of a field of more than 120 entries, the State of Michigan received two first-place awards for excellence in information technology from the National Association of State Chief Information Officers at its annual awards ceremony in Philadelphia Monday.
“I’m pleased to see Michigan recognized once again as a leader in information technology,”� said Gov. Rick Snyder. “These award-winning projects highlight Michigan’s focus on using technology to improve savings and security.”
NASCIO named three finalists in 11 categories for its 2013 Recognition Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Technology. In addition to Michigan’s two first-place awards, the state was also a finalist in one category:
Unemployment Insurance Agency Overpayment Recovery
First place in the Data, Information and Knowledge Management Category
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget and the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) implemented a web-based case management system designed specifically for unemployment insurance agencies to detect overpayments and recoup money owed to the state. By working together, DTMB and UIA were able to identify areas of potential overpayments and cases of fraud.
Cyber Training 3.0: New Solutions Addressing Escalating Security Risks
First place in the Cyber Security Category
New cyberattacks, mobile malware, insider threats and unprecedented security challenges threaten to derail innovative government strategies. At the same time, human error plays a role in 63 percent of information technology security breaches. The State of Michigan tried a new training strategy when it launched a comprehensive three-pronged approach to address employee awareness, technical training and cultural change components for businesses, schools and families. The integrated program educates and informs state employees about the importance of cybersecurity and their role in keeping the state safe from future cyberattacks.
Candid Assessment Delivers ICT Roadmap to Drive Improvements
A finalist in the Enterprise IT Management Initiatives Category
During the last 10 years, the State of Michigan became one of only a handful of states to consolidate Information Communications and Technology (ICT) services under one agency. The state engaged Gartner to review, assess, evaluate and make recommendations for improvement, based on industry best practices. Michigan is among the first states to conduct such a broad and comprehensive IT assessment and to benchmark against global best-in-class public and private organizations.
“These awards highlight the important work we’re doing every day to help reinvent state government,”� said John Nixon, director of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget. “Receiving this recognition is incredible, but the real reward is seeing great teamwork and collaboration throughout state government to better serve Michigan residents.”�
This is the 25th year that NASCIO has honored outstanding information technology achievements in the public sector. Emphasis is placed on recognizing those initiatives that exemplify best practices, support public policy goals of state leaders, assist government officials in executing their duties innovatively, and provide cost-effective service to citizens.
“It is an honor to be recognized by NASCIO with these distinguished accolades,”� said David Behen, chief information officer for the State of Michigan. “Whether we’re working to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively or making sure the state is safe from cyber threats, I’m proud of the work we’re doing and it’s nice to be recognized for that work.”
In addition to the NASCIO Awards, Michigan was recently named as a 2013 Government IT Innovator by InformationWeek Government for the ICT Assessment Roadmap.
