Lake City, Fla., is the latest city to pay the ransom following a ransomware attack.

The state of Florida hired Nancy Sampson as its first  chief data officer (CDO). Sampson, who will provide vision and strategy for all data management activities for the state, started in the new role on Oct. 27.

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities (WWC) initiative added five new partner cities: Athens, Ga.; Chula Vista, Calif.; Colorado Springs; Gainesville, Fla.; and Palmdale, Calif. With the new additions WWC is now partnering with 95 cities across the country. The WWC initiative is working to improve the effectiveness of local governments by enhancing their use of data […]

This hurricane season has already been one of the most destructive on record. Verizon is stepping up its efforts to support public safety and relief efforts in storm-battered states. Most importantly, the company is focused on repairing damaged communications networks and infrastructure to help governments focus on other restoration efforts.

Telecommunications companies, including Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon, are expanding Internet and cellphone coverage, and deploying emergency equipment in preparation for Hurricane Irma.

More than 3,000 constituents have accessed the newest iteration of Pinellas County’s open data platform, according to Bryan Zumwalt, Enterprise GIS Manager with the county’s government.

Danielle Alvarez has served as Florida’s CISO for more than two years, but on June 1, 2017, she will serve her last day in the Agency for State Technology. Before stepping down, Alvarez spoke with 21st Century State & Local about her work within the state and her hopes for her replacement.

A bill proposed in the Florida legislature would take away the authority of the Agency for State Technology to oversee statewide IT projects, which could ultimately drive up costs, according to Eric Larson, chief technology officer at AST.

The state of Utah is bracing for a surge in connected vehicles and the advent of autonomous vehicles, as well as the plethora of cybersecurity challenges these cars present.

Eric Larson was recently selected to serve as Florida’s chief information officer after incumbent Jason Allison unexpectedly announced his resignation effective March 7. 21st Century State & Local conducted a Q&A with Larson, who served as the state’s chief operations officer and chief technology officer before his unexpected ascension to CIO.