New Authentication System Rolling Out to Agencies
Big Picture: The State is moving to Okta for multi-factor authentication (MFA).
What’s Happening: You may have already received an email or will soon be receiving an email about implementing a seamless Single Sign-on (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for our business applications, such as Office 365, VPN and PeopleSoft. IOT is introducing Okta to agencies on a rolling basis. Be on the look-out for emails in the future.
Okta will eventually replace the existing Microsoft MFA that you use today, BUT users should NOT delete the Microsoft Authenticator application until IOT lets you know.
Communications will be regularly sent to your agency. Contact your agency's IT Director or IOT's Business Relationship Management (BRM) team for more information.
GIS Day finds success once again
The Indiana GIO (Geographic Information Office) celebrated 25 years of Indiana GIS Day at the Indiana Government Center last month.
The event brought over 340 attendees, 20 exhibitors, 31 students, 40 volunteers, and 12 state agencies together.
Governor Eric Holcomb addressed Indiana's GIS Day attendees and you can view that address here: https://lnkd.in/g8KwAXzW
This free event offered an action-packed day of learning, hands-on training, and valuable networking, featuring presentations by GIS experts, skill-building workshops, and a keynote address by Megan R.L. Compton, the State’s Geographic Information Officer (GIO).
Attendees learned how various state agencies use GIS to enhance their operations and drive program success.
Check out the GIS website to learn more about geographic information services and GIS Day.
Indiana Digital Government Summit and Local Government IT Symposium
IOT CIO Tracy Barnes with Keynote Speaker John Register.
IOT hosted its inaugural Local Government IT Symposium at the end of October. This event gave local government leaders a comprehensive understanding of the intricate world of state regulations and best practices that govern their operations, especially regarding IT.
This unique opportunity brought together key state officials from IOT, DLGF, IARA, IDOH, SBOA, PAC and ISP to talk about their respective work with local governments. In total, representatives from 56 local government agencies attended.
The next day, IOT hosted the 23rd annual Indiana Digital Government Summit, featuring the Best of Indiana awards! The Summit brings together technology-focused public-sector professionals with leading industry partners to connect on innovative approaches, get inspired and discover new technologies.
"The Indiana Digital Government Summit has evolved into an essential event that no one in public sector technology can afford to miss. As it embarks on its third decade, we were thrilled to gather once again to exchange valuable insights, best practices, and gain a glimpse into the future of government technologies. This has definitely become the premier event to support the future of Indiana government." - Tracy Barnes, Chief Information Officer, State of Indiana
From top left, Best of Indiana award winners:
Best Application Serving the Public - Local: City of Indianapolis: Collin Hill
Best Application Serving the Public - State: Indiana Department of Workforce Development: Stephanie Semann, Diana Barrett and CIO Chris Henderson .
Best Application Serving an Agency’s Business Needs - State: Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission: Dana Kosco, IURC Director of Operations and Virginia Lucas, Business Manager.
Best Application Serving an Organization’s Business Needs - Local: Hamilton County: Chris Mertens
Barnes sits down for a session called "Bits & Bytes: Change Management in the Era of Emerging Tech" with Kate Shelby, Chief Legal Officer and Deputy Commissioner of IT and Data, Department of Transportation.
IOT Announces No-Cost Website Services for Local Governments
IOT has been working with local governments for years to improve cybersecurity and their digital experiences. IOT's latest initiative is no-cost website hosting. For the past four years, IOT has offered low-cost website hosting for local entities, but this is a free option so that any locality can take advantage.
In an era where digital interaction has become a cornerstone of public service, maintaining secure, accessible, and efficient online resources is more important than ever. IOT's latest initiative seeks to ensure that all local governments, regardless of size or budget, can offer their constituents a safe, trustworthy and user-friendly online experience by providing the same site templates and tools that state agencies use.
"This strategic move continues to build trust and aims to significantly improve cybersecurity measures and overall user experience on government platforms,” stated Tracy Barnes. “We’re seeking to empower local governments to better manage their digital front doors, and improve access to all levels of local government, be it a small township or for our larger communities. Hoosiers should expect to have secure, easy to use digital methods to get in touch with their government. By removing financial barriers, we are another step closer to providing an improved, consistent digital experience no matter what level of government a citizen is interacting with."
As of today, 102 governments have shifted to utilizing no-cost website hosting while 15 are using the more comprehensive paid offering.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Indiana Office of Technology to promote digital innovation and cybersecurity awareness throughout government. IOT provides local governments with no-cost or pre-negotiated rates for third-party solutions for:
Access Indiana, single sign-on
Cybersecurity assessments through Purdue University and Indiana University
Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Geographic Information Systems
IN.gov subdomains
IN.gov websites
QPA pricing on hardware and software
Payment Processing
Visit https://on.in.gov/localgovernment for more details!
Behind the Tech: Gideon Bower
Gideon Bower is the Operations Director for IOT’s Local Government Program (LGP). He transitioned to his role with IOT from the Indiana State Library in October of 2023.
As part of the LGP, he is responsible for working with local government entities across the state to build relationships and lines of communication that will allow us to better serve the broader cybersecurity/IT needs of the state.
On a given day you might find Gideon preparing for a committee meeting, attending an event hosted by/for our local government partners, or sitting at his desk and whittling away at his to-do list.
"I think that is one engaging aspect of this position, you must be able to think on your feet and be prepared to face whatever the day brings," he said.
What's his favorite thing about the job?
"Hands down, it is the extraordinary people I have gotten to meet and work with. The people at IOT are some of the most varied and interesting I have ever met, not to mention endlessly supportive and ready to offer help and advice. The locals I have engaged with have also exposed me to extensive institutional wisdom. I have learned a great deal from simply sitting quietly in meetings or zoom calls and listening to whatever the topic of discussion happens to be."
What does he hope to take away from his work at IOT?
"I think I have already gained a lot from my time with IOT. There is such a wealth of information to pull from. You don’t have to go far in search of learning opportunities before you find them. I suppose my main goal is to remain open and receptive to that knowledge and experience and to take away as much of it as possible, along with any connections I may make."
