Ashley Silver

California

Co-Host at The Future in Context

Staff Writer at Government Technology

Articles

Cyber Program Gets Federal Funding Extension, New Home

1 week ago | govtech.com | Ashley Silver

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures Program (CVE) — established in 1999 and managed by the nonprofit MITRE under a federal contract — serves as a central resource for identifying, defining and cataloging publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Each identified threat is assigned a CVE Record, which is then published by partner organizations around the world.
Data Laws Would Refine Privacy Strategies, Consumer Control

1 week ago | govtech.com | Ashley Silver

Two bills in Texas show how these types of legislation can lay the groundwork for privacy and data control, underpinning further work. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, known as House Bill 4, passed in 2023 and regulated how businesses collect and use personal information. It outlined businesses’ responsibilities to minimize data collection, notify consumers about what’s gathered and respond to access or correction requests.
NASCIO Charts Rise of Chief Privacy Officer, Offers Guidance

3 weeks ago | govtech.com | Ashley Silver

That’s a key finding in a new National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) report, which indicates around 30 states now have CPOs or an equivalent compared to just five in 2015 — and offers steps for governments to follow when creating a privacy program. In the U.S., the position reportedly first emerged in 1999 in the private sector — and didn’t take hold with states until 2003, when NASCIO has previously said West Virginia was the first state to appoint a CPO.
Boulder City, County Use Tech to Bring Aid to Coloradans

3 weeks ago | govtech.com | Ashley Silver

The city and county have partnered with AidKit, a Colorado-based technology firm specializing in managing aid distribution, on two programs designed to offer immediate relief and create financial stability for people grappling with rising costs of living and the lingering impacts of COVID-19. Boulder County and its most populous city, Boulder, are harnessing technology to deliver funding to residents and child-care providers navigating financial challenges.
Alabama GenAI Task Force Maps Out Its Responsible Use

1 month ago | govtech.com | Ashley Silver

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has revealed the state’s blueprint for responsible generative AI (GenAI) use, based on a final report from the Governor’s Task Force on Generative Artificial Intelligence. Despite proactive planning, GenAI adoption across Alabama’s state agencies is relatively limited. Of the 139 responding agencies, 104 reported no current use of GenAI products or services.
States Make Legislative Moves to Boost Security, Innovation

1 month ago | govtech.com | Ashley Silver

From the South to the Northeast, governments are taking decisive action to strengthen cybersecurity through new legislation designed to modernize systems, while protecting sensitive data and making sure government agencies are ready for what’s to come in digital technology.
Indiana CPO Heads to Private Sector, Successor Is Named

1 month ago | govtech.com | Ashley Silver

After more than eight years with the Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH), its general counsel, who serves as the state's chief privacy officer, has departed, and his successor has been appointed from within the organization. Ted Cotterill has stepped down as CPO and MPH general counsel to pursue an opportunity in the private sector.
Cost-Effective, Data-Driven Tools Shape Tampa Modernization

1 month ago | govtech.com | Ashley Silver

Since stepping into the role just over a year ago, Tampa CIO and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Eric Hayden, has steered the city’s technology strategy toward modernization, focusing on efficiency and transparency through customer service, business applications, infrastructure, services and information assurance. And Hayden isn’t just overseeing these five key business pillars.
Through IT Modernization, Locals Reshape Service Delivery

1 month ago | govtech.com | Ashley Silver

And in so doing, they’re reimagining service delivery efforts, IT leaders said during a recent FedInsider webinar. In California, Oakland CIO Tony Batalla oversees IT operations by a team of over 80 staff members, and is focused on bringing the city’s tech capabilities into the modern age one project at a time. From cloud migration to AI-powered chatbots and Internet of Things-enabled (IoT) public safety measures, local governments are finding innovative ways to modernize municipal operations.
Long-Serving Napa County CIO Gjestvang Retiring This Month

2 months ago | insider.govtech.com | Ashley Silver

One of the Bay Area’s longest-serving IT leaders will step down at month’s end. Jon Gjestvang, chief information officer for Napa County, will retire Feb. 28 after heading up its IT unit for more than two decades. Greg Bown, the county’s current deputy CIO and chief information security officer, will step in as interim CIO effective March 1, Napa County public information officer Linda Weinreich confirmed to Government Technology*.