Westchester County Placed Seventh Nationwide on CDG’s List of “Digital Counties” with a Population over 1,000,000
Westchester County is always looking for ways to better deliver services to the people it serves – and that includes finding better ways to provide streamlined governmental services online. Recognizing these efforts, the Center for Digital Governments (CDG) has awarded Westchester County Seventh Place nationwide on its “Digital Counties” list following their annual survey.
County Executive George Latimer said: “Under the leadership of Commissioner Marguerite Beirne, our Department of Information Technology (DoIT) is constantly looking at ways to further a dual mission – to keep our public information safe and provide the best services possible for our residents. This award shows that those efforts, while already recognized here, are gaining national attention. I commend them on this award, their work and I look forward to future advances for the people we serve.”
The survey, developed in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and conducted by CDG, identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services; provide data analytics to allow decisions based on performance and outcomes; enhance cybersecurity; and apply innovative and emerging technologies to county priorities.
Beirne said: “Our Department’s dedicated staff understands the importance of our role for the people of Westchester County. This award is a recognition of our work. I thank County Executive Latimer, the County’s leadership and our hardworking DoIT staff for putting us in the position to receive this honor.”
CDG Vice President Todd Sander said: “This year’s survey results highlight how counties continue to use digital tools to respond to top priorities by providing comprehensive access to services, expanding opportunities for economic development, and ensuring the ability to be resilient in the face of unexpected crisis. The Center for Digital Government is excited to recognize and congratulate this year’s winners for their accomplishments and continuing efforts to use technology to make government better.”
About Westchester’s Department of Information Technology, the CDG said: “Improving IT governance has been a major undertaking over the past 12 months in Westchester County, N.Y., which moves up one place in this year’s Digital Counties Survey. Those efforts have included working with county leadership to reorganize the Department of Information Technology (DoIT), including working with Human Resources to refine and align agency priorities. This has meant reclassifying or creating new roles, like cybersecurity analyst, in areas that have become more important in recent years. DoIT also identified common needs among agencies and increased standardization countywide, like enterprise solutions for asset management and secure file sharing, which has led to both cost savings and efficiencies.
To support the county’s health and safety priority, particularly reduction of discrimination and hate crimes, DoIT worked with other local and regional agencies to develop a portal for the reporting of hate crimes and bias incidents in the area. The department’s GIS team has worked on initiatives like the development of an online Westchester County broadband map for residents and businesses, who can, if needed, submit an availability challenge to the Federal Communications Commission’s map and improve access for the greater community. In cybersecurity, DoIT instituted a new policy to conduct regular tabletop security training exercises and, as part of a shared services program, offers cities in the region free use of cybersecurity software like endpoint protection. More than two dozen jurisdictions participate.”
NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase said: “Counties are using technology to pursue bold, cutting-edge approaches to serving our residents. Whether improving disaster resiliency, enhancing transportation, or exploring the potential of artificial intelligence, counties are leveraging technology to achieve local priorities. We applaud the Digital Counties Survey winners for deploying technological solutions that improve our residents’ quality of life.”