OMB’s Recent CIO Memorandum: Clarifying and Reinforcing CIO Primary Responsibilities

A new memorandum details four areas for which all Federal Chief Information Officers (CIOs) have authority and “a lead role”: Governance, Commodity IT, Program Management, and Information Security.

Earlier this month, OMB Director Jacob Lew released a memorandum for the heads of all Federal Departments and Agencies, which focused on four areas for which all Federal Chief Informatio

Managing Complexity

The deficit showdown reflects a challenge of modern times: how can government – and society – deal with increased complexity?

IT Governance, Risk Management, Security & Privacy – a Perspective for the C-Suite

Today, more than ever, with the increasing number of cybersecurity attacks on government organizations and threats of data breaches to the privacy of government officials and their staffs, and government contractor staffs, strong IT Governance based on sound IT risk management is critical to restoring confidence in the security and privacy protections provided by our Federal Government.  This is no longer purely an IT technology issue but an issue that must be addressed at the top layers of government – from the “overseers” of IT policy (e.g., Office of Management and Budget (OMB), National

A Roadmap for Implementing and Improving IT Governance

As previously discussed, all Federal departments/agencies were charged with establishing an IT Governance program per OMB Memorandum M-09-02.

Creating the appropriate environment for successful adoption of IT Governance that supports improved security

To start, guiding principles can ensure that all staff have a common understanding of the core IT Governance criteria. These guiding principles let staff know that IT Governance is recognized by the C-Suite as critical to the organization’s success, and that IT resources result in maximum effectiveness and efficiency across the organization. It ensures that security is integrated in meeting requirements and delivers benefits set by an organization’s business leaders.

New Organizational Structure Required for an Effective IT Governance Program With Strong Security

This consists of a definition of IT Governance communicated throughout the agency, and the establishment of a new organizational structure to ensure the IT Governance Program is effective and continuously improved. Continuing with the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) example discussed in the previous blog, below is the definition VA developed and a generic discussion of the organizational structure that VA adopted.

Benefits of Effective IT Governance with Strong Security

This post is the fourth in a series on how strong IT Governance can help drive effective security across Federal enterprises.  See the first installment.

Richard Spires: Leveraging IT to Enhance DHS Mission Effectiveness

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued its first-ever Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) that delineates a strategy focusing on five mission priority areas for the homeland security enterprise. “Mission one is preventing terrorism and enhancing the security of the country.

MN Creates Collaborative Governance Council

The Minnesota Legislature recently passed a bi-partisan bill that was signed into law to create a Collaborative Governance Council that will increase collaboration between state and local government.  Might this be an inspiration for the federal government?
 
The law creates a 12-member council to develop recommendations to increase governmental collaboration by:
  • reviewing laws and rules that slow collaboration efforts;
  • us

Six Trends Driving Change in Government

Today, government is in the midst of significant changes that have both near-term consequences and lasting impact. Such changes become more complex in nature and more uncertain in effect. At the same time, the demands on government continue to grow while the collective resources available to meet such demands are increasingly constrained. Government leaders, managers, and stakeholders face major challenges, including: fiscal austerity, citizen expectations, the pace of technology and innovation, and a new role for governance.

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