IT Governance

AIF SUPPORTS the need for investment in IT for the modernization of Florida’s outdated systems and processes. IT should not be viewed as an expense that can be cut year after year, but rather as in investment in the future of Florida. Our citizen-facing systems, including web portals and call centers, are woefully inadequate and outdated.Many of the State’s core systems are decades old and un- sustainable.

We support the need for positive returns on the State’s investment. However, the measured “return” should not overlook the positive impact of citizen-friendly systems, the positive benefit to Florida’s economy and the mitigation of the future failure of unsustainable systems. In order to produce a positive return on the State’s investment in IT, there must first be an investment.

 

AIF applauds the creation of the Agency for State Technology (AST) and the good work done by the AST thus far. However, additional improvement in the State’s IT governance structure is still needed.

AIF SUPPORTS legislative changes that will designate the AST as the responsible agency for policy matters relating to IT in all state contracts.

Policy includes such things as the determination of need for various IT-related contracts, evaluation criteria, the contract term (not to exceed statutory limits) and the maximum number of vendors allowed on each contract. It is also AIF’s position that the Department of Management Services (DMS) remain responsible for the execution of state contract procurements and contract administration.

Current statute only calls for collaboration between DMS and AST. AIF commends the collaboration achieved thus far, but believes the requirement for collaboration is vague and does not provide adequate authority and responsibility to either agency.

AIF SUPPORTS legislative changes that will designate systems and processes to be implemented and operated at an enterprise (statewide or agency grouping) level and provide operational authority and funding to the AST.

Current statute requires the AST to identify opportunities for enterprise projects but does not provide authority to execute such projects. It is highly inefficient and wasteful for “utility” operations like help desks, email and call centers. to be “stove-piped” in every agency. AIF SUPPORTS the consolidation of such systems within the AST and calls for legislation that will specify services to be provided by the AST across all agencies.

AIF SUPPORTS investment in technologies and processes to significantly reduce fraud. Particularly as related to social services programs such as Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and childcare.

AIF believes that particular attention should be given to reducing fraud in Florida’s childcare system. Recommendations have been made on this issue previously by both Florida TaxWatch (Government Efficiency Recommendations, 2015) and by the Government Efficiency Task Force (2011 Recommendations).

The State’s Early Learning Information System project (ELIS) was cancelled prior to completion in 2013. If this project had been successful, some improvement to administrative and financial processes would have been made. However, this system did not include a point-of-delivery time and attendance system.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation and funding that would require the Office of Early Learning to implement a statewide fraud deterrent time and attendance system for childcare.

AIF SUPPORTS the needed investment and legislative mandate to improve the quality of education delivered to Florida’s children. AIF SUPPORTS initiatives and concepts that are of common interests to both state and local educational leaders. These include Digital Classroom, Online Testing, Digital Educational Materials, and Blended Virtual Learning.

A significant cyber-attack on our state could have devastating results far beyond a data breach. First responder systems, corrections systems, public assistance systems, food inspection systems, health care systems and many others could be impacted with catastrophic result.

We applaud the creation of the Information Security Office within the Agency for State Technology (AST) and support its mission to provide strategic direction for information security initiatives and IT security best practices and policies for the State of Florida.

AIF is concerned that traditional “budgetary constraints” could put Florida at undue risk.

AIF SUPPORTS the AST Information Technology Security Plan. Although it is a workable high-level plan, it is highly contingent upon adequate support and funding from the Legislature and operational support the operational authority of a single entity—the AST. As such, AIF will actively support efforts to secure legislative authority for the AST in this regard and for the required funding. The time to make prudent investments and governance changes in now—not after a major attack.

In order to foster an environment where the State of Florida is enlisting the most innovative and cost-effective partners to provide solutions through state contracting. AIF SUPPORTS Florida favoring openness and competitiveness instead of sole-sourcing contracts, which often restrict transparency and do not always yield the best return on investment for taxpayers. Additionally, policymakers should be sensitive to the integrity of the competitive procurement process and not support legislation or funding that creates an unfair advantage for a specific vendor.