Boards and Task Forces
IT Investment Advisory Board (IIAB)
Chaired by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS), the IT Investment Advisory Board approves and oversees information technology and cybersecurity capital projects, considers IT capital project risks and exposures, and resolves high-level business issues as they arise. In addition to the EOTSS Secretary, the Board is comprised of key Commonwealth executives who have experience in information technology investment portfolio management.
Justice Reinvestment Policy Oversight Board (JRPOB)
Established by the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Bill, “An Act Relative to Criminal Justice Reform.” The Justice Reinvestment Policy Oversight Board (JRPOB), chaired by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) and comprised of a broad spectrum of criminal justice agency leaders and stakeholders inside and outside of state government, is charged with monitoring the development and implementation of justice reinvestment policies relative to the collection, standardization, and public availability of data.
Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board (DAEGB)
On the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Governor Healey issued Executive Order No. 614, creating a new Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board. The Executive Order created the role of Chief IT Accessibility Officer within the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS). Additionally, Accessibility Officers are appointed within each Executive Office. Together, they aim to create strategies that promote best practices in digital accessibility.
State 911 Commission
Established by the 2008 State 911 Bill, “An Act establishing a state 911 department, single 911 surcharge and an enhanced 911 fund.” The State 911 Commission, chaired by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) and is comprised of public safety and other interested government entities throughout the Commonwealth. The Commission is charged with providing strategic oversight and guidance to the State 911 Department on enhancing 911 service in the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) serves as a member of the Commission, offering public safety radio technology guidance on behalf of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security’s (EOTSS) Interoperable Communications Bureau (ICB).
Community Compact IT Grant Program
The Community Compact IT Grant Program is a competitive grant program focused on driving innovation and transformation at the local level via investments in technology. The funding is designed to drive innovation, make government more efficient, save taxpayer money, and make it easier for residents to interact and transact with their local government.
Grants of up to $200,000 support the implementation of innovative IT projects by funding related one-time capital needs such as technology infrastructure or software. Incidental or one-time costs related to the capital purchase such as planning, design, installation, implementation and initial training are eligible. EOTSS and its OMST partner with the CCC and municipalities on program development and implementation.
Strategic External Partnerships
The EOTSS senior leadership team and staff regularly engage with strategic partners in federal, state, and local government – as well as industry partners and non-profit organizations who are well positioned to offer strategic guidance and best practices on cybersecurity, IT product and service delivery, and the digital government experience.
Mass Cyber Center
The Mass Cyber Center was launched in September 2017 by the Administration with a vision to enhance opportunities for the Massachusetts cybersecurity ecosystem to compete as a national cybersecurity leader and to strengthen the resiliency of the Commonwealth’s communities, including public and private organizations and businesses.
The Mass Cyber Center's mission is to enhance conditions for economic growth through outreach to the cybersecurity ecosystem of Massachusetts, while fostering cybersecurity awareness and resiliency within the Commonwealth.
NASCIO
As a 501c (3) (h) nonprofit association, the primary objective of the National Association of State CIOs (NASCIO) is to provide policymakers with insight and recommendations regarding the implications of technology-related legislation, regulations, policies and proposals.
NASCIO’s primary advocacy efforts focus on:
- Building awareness of state IT policy issues
- Advancing the role of the state CIO
- Expanding the association's visibility on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies
SAFECOM
As outlined on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) website, SAFECOM collaborates with emergency responders and elected officials across all levels of government to improve emergency response providers’ inter-jurisdictional and interdisciplinary emergency communications interoperability across local, regional, tribal, state, territorial, international borders, and with federal government entities. “SAFECOM works with existing federal communications programs and key emergency response stakeholders to address the need to develop better technologies and processes for the coordination of existing communications systems and future networks.”
The EOTSS Secretary currently serves as the NASCIO designee to SAFECOM. Other SAFECOM members include representatives from a wide array of public safety associations and organizations.
National Association of State Technology Directors (NASTD)
Founded in 1978, the National Association of State Technology Directors (NASTD) is a member-driven organization that seeks “to advance and promote the effective use of information technology and services to improve the operation of state government.” NASTD represents IT professionals from all 50 states and the private sector. Members provide and manage state government IT services and facilities for state agencies and other public entities. They play a strategic role in planning and shaping state government technology infrastructures and policies.
Advanced Cybersecurity Center (ACSC)
As outlined on their website, the Advanced Cybersecurity Center (ACSC) is “a non-profit membership organization, driven by CISOs who value collaboration, working with InfoSec peers and dedicated to enhancing the cyber defenses by working with Legal and Risk peers to effectively manage cyber risk and governance.” They are committed to “fostering "Collaborative Defense," positioning our community as national leaders in cybersecurity governance, preparedness, and resilience.”
StateRAMP
StateRAMP, as outlined on their website, is “a registered 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization comprised of service providers offering IaaS, PaaS, and/or SaaS solutions, third party assessment organizations, and government officials.” Their mission is to “to promote cybersecurity best practices through education, advocacy, and policy development to support its members and improve the cyber posture of state and local governments and the citizens they serve.”
Government Technology & Massachusetts Government Technology Summits
The Administration, in partnership with Government Technology, hosts annual conferences geared toward networking opportunities and the sharing of best practices to enhance technology and cybersecurity services across the public sector.
Since 1974, the Massachusetts Digital Government Summit has offered attendees from state and municipal government with a valuable opportunity to build vital relationships with industry leaders and learn about innovative solutions for the challenges governments face in an increasingly digital world. More recently established, the annual Massachusetts Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit provides an opportunity for government technology professionals to learn about the latest efforts to defend, respond and recover from cyber criminals who wish to do harm.