SACRAMENTO – The Office of Technology Services (OTech) launched a re-designed Service Catalog website with enhanced functionality and navigation for its customers today.  Constantly updated, the OTech Service Catalog is the primary service offerings menu government agencies use to evaluate the technology services they need.  The Catalog is available at: http://servicecatalog.otech.ca.gov/

The Service Catalog re-design incorporates the State’s 2010 web template providing the same look and feel as other California State websites. In addition, it offers the following enhancements:

Service Organization: Services are organized according to subject areas, using a single landing web page where all Services can be accessed.

User Interface Improvements: Content has been consolidated and streamlined, reducing the number of web pages.  Page format has changed to ease customers’ navigation of services.

Standard Layout:  The web page layout, content and verbiage is standardized to ensure consistency across the entire website. 

The California Office of Technology Services (OTech) is one of three offices within the California Technology Agency. It provides information technology services to more than 500 State, county, federal and local government entities. Through the use of a secure and state-of-the-art statewide network, OTech delivers a variety of services including computing, networking, electronic messaging and training, allowing governments the ability to provide streamlined, secure, cost effective and quality services to all Californians.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced his appointment of Michele Robinson as Director of the Office of Information Security (OIS) at the California Technology Agency today. This position does not require Senate confirmation.

“We are very pleased with the Governor’s selection of Michele Robinson to lead OIS”, said Technology Agency Secretary Carlos Ramos.  “Throughout her career, she has taken a pro-active approach to keep California’s information assets safe and built alliances to strengthen its cyber security defense.  Her extensive expertise in threat intelligence, compliance policies and incident response will serve California well.”

Robinson joined OIS in 2007 and assumed the position of Acting Director in February 2013, where she has served the liaison to federal, State and local government on cyber security policies and issues.  From 2010 to 2013, she served as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer and was responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of OIS and the statewide information security program, including enterprise policy development, enterprise disaster recovery planning and enterprise incident management and compliance. From 2007 to 2010, Robinson served as Assistant Chief Information Security Officer and managed the statewide enterprise incident management program and developed several significant policy initiatives. 

Prior to joining OIS, Robinson served as the Chief Information Security Officer and Privacy Officer for the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB).  In this dual role, she was responsible for oversight of the Board’s compliance with privacy and information security laws, policies and procedures, as well as the implementation of its Risk Management and Information Security Awareness programs. 

Robinson earned a bachelor of science degree in information systems from the University of San Francisco.  She also earned several professional credentials including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Management (CISM), Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US), and (Certified Information Privacy Professional/Information Technology (CIPP/IT).

The Office of Information Security (OIS) is the primary State government authority responsible for ensuring the protection of State information, as well as the confidentiality, integrity and availability of State systems and applications. OIS represents the State to federal, state, and local government entities, higher education, private industry and others on security-related matters.

In its continuous effort to provide customers new technologies at equitable rates, the California Technology Agency, Office of Technology Services (OTech) announced new rates and adjustments for the current and next fiscal year. These rate changes are estimated to save OTech customers $21.3 million for fiscal year 2012-13 and $13.8 million for 2013-14.

Rate adjustments to OTech services were approved by the Department of Finance and are retroactively effective as of January 1, 2013, unless noted. Rate changes for fiscal year 2013-14 will be effective July 1, 2013.

• Mainframe CPU (24.6% rate reduction)
• Mainframe Disk Storage (79% rate reduction)
• Mainframe Tape Storage (54.4% rate reduction)
• OTech Fiber Ring (67% rate reduction)
• California Statewide Government Network (CSGnet) Retirement Fee (25% rate reduction)
• Secure File Transfer (23% rate reduction)
• Tenant Managed Services (39% rate reduction, effective April 1, 2013)

OTech also announced three new service offerings for government customers:

Geographic Information Systems

The Geographic Information Systems service provides technologies using digital map data to connect vast amounts of information by their geographic locations.

Disaster Recovery for CA.Mail

The CA.Mail Disaster Recovery add-on service provides customers e-mail services in the event of a disaster at the primary OTech campus in Rancho Cordova. A backup site is standard practice for e-mail providers in order to ensure business continuity of e-mail services which are critical to State departments.

Mobile Device Management

The Mobile Device Management solution allows information technology (IT) administrators to manage Apple iOS, Android and Windows based devices. This service reduces the business risks by controlling and protecting the data and configuration settings with advanced capabilities. This cloud-based solution eliminates the need to purchase physical hardware resources or be burdened by patching or downtime.

The California Office of Technology Services (OTech) is one of three offices within the California Technology Agency.  It provides information technology services to more than 500 State, county, federal and local government entities. Through the use of a secure and state-of-the-art statewide network, OTech delivers a variety of services including computing, networking, electronic messaging and training, allowing governments the ability to provide streamlined, secure, cost effective and quality services to all Californians. More information regarding OTech service offerings and customer rates is available here.

SACRAMENTO – The California Technology Agency released a Technology Letter (TL) today announcing the approval process for smartphone purchases by State agencies and departments.

TL 13-01 requires State agencies and departments to seek approval from the California Technology Agency before purchasing smartphones.  The TL also requires agencies and departments to demonstrate how the smartphone will meet a significant business need within the organization, how it will cost-effectively increase efficiencies and that the device complies with State security policies and standards.

Technology Letters (TL) are issued by the California Technology Agency to convey official communications regarding State information technology policies and procedures. 

• Technology Letter 13-01
• Statewide Information Management Manual (SIMM) 48 Smartphone Usage Process & Form
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Smartphone Use Requests

Know The Risks, Think Critically & Act Appropriately

Download: Activity Kit

Throughout May, the California Technology Agency is joining schools and community partners statewide to encourage students and families to think critically, behave safely and participate responsibly and ethically online. California Digital Citizenship Month is an opportunity to teach and dialogue on topics impacting California youth such as cyber bullying, digital foot prints, on-line privacy, security and copyrights. Teaching students how to be good digital citizens means helping them understand their rights and responsibilities, recognize the benefits and risks, as well as realize the personal and ethical implications of their actions – on AND offline. By teaching digital citizenship, California is preparing its students to be safe and secure in a 21^st century digital world.

Digital citizenship and cyber security is our shared responsibility. By working together we can combat cyber threats, raise awareness and keep California safe. For more information on how you can raise awareness in your community, visit Common Sense Media at www.commonsensemedia.org/California.

Every year during the second week of April, we recognize the extraordinary service of public safety telecommunications personnel.  Founded in 1981 by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, the week honors the men and women who provide life-saving public service to citizens, law enforcement, fire and emergency medical responders around the nation.

“California averages over 24 million 9-1-1 calls each year.  Our public safety telecommunications personnel provide radio, telephone and computer lifelines in very stressful, emergency situations”, said Secretary Carlos Ramos.  “Often behind the scenes, these are highly technical and complex jobs that have real consequences. We salute California’s public safety telecommunication heroes and thank you for your extraordinary service.”

Within the California Technology Agency is the Public Safety Communications Office (PSCO). With multiple offices/shops located statewide, PSCO supports State, federal and local public safety agencies.  PSCO is responsible for the State 9-1-1 emergency communications system and the approximately 460 police, fire and paramedic dispatch centers known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).  PSCO also owns and operates a statewide microwave communications network, known as the California Public Safety Microwave Network (CAPSNET).  CAPSNET is used primarily to support first responder voice and radio communications for all State of California public safety agencies. PSCO technicians are required to be on standby and respond to radio communications outages whenever they occur on a 24/7 basis within California’s 58 counties.

California Public Safety Communications Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2013

  MEDIA ADVISORY

SACRAMENTO – To kick-off National 9-1-1 Education Month, California Technology Agency Secretary Carlos Ramos will present medals to the 2013 California State 9-1-1 Heroes at an award ceremony at the State Capitol. 9-1-1 for Kids hosts this annual ceremony honoring the extraordinary and courageous actions of California youth and 9-1-1 dispatchers during emergencies.

WHAT: 9-1-1 for Kids 2013 California State 9-1-1 Heroes Awards Ceremony

WHO: Technology Agency Secretary Carlos Ramos

WITH: Tim Brown, National Chairman, 9-1-1 for Kids

California Highway Patrol (CHP)

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFIRE)

Northern California Chapter of APCO, International

California Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association

WHEN: Thursday, April 11, 2013 | 10:30am

WHERE: California State Capitol, North Steps

HASHTAG: #911forkids

CONTACT: Christine Lally

(916) 319-9223 | Christine.Lally@state.ca.gov | @CA_TechAgency

AT A GLANCE:

• Within the California Technology Agency is the Public Safety Communications Office (PSCO). PSCO is responsible for the State 9-1-1 system and the approximately 460 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) or local 9-1-1 call centers statewide.

• California averages over 24 million 9-1-1 calls annually.

• April is National 9-1-1 Education Month, teaching all Americans the appropriate use of 9-1-1, as well as when and how to call this life-saving service.

• Award ceremony host and emcee is retired Oakland Raiders wide receiver and National Chairman of 9-1-1 for Kids, Tim Brown.

• The ceremony will be attended by California public safety ambassadors including CHP’s Chipper, Smokey the Bear, Sparky the Fire Dog, Red E. Fox and Abby the Cell Phone Sister, with a special appearance by Sacramento Police Department K-9 Hero Bodie.

• The 2013 California State 9-1-1 Heroes Awards Ceremony is presented by “9-1-1 for Kids: Public Education”, the official public education and caller training program for the United States, Canada and all countries where 9-1-1 is used as the universal emergency response phone number. www.911forkids.com

Cal-Vendor Technology Connection Kick-Off
May 2, 2013 | 8:30am – 12:00pm | Sacramento
Register here

Join us to kick-off Cal-Vendor Technology Connection on May 2, 2013 at the Department of Health Care Services Auditorium in Sacramento.  Hosted by Technology Agency’s Information Technology Leadership Academy (ITLA) XX, this event will bring public and private sector leaders together to develop strategic technology partnerships for a better California. 

Cal-Vendor Technology Connection is focused on linking the vendor community with State executives, thereby creating a framework for open communication necessary for the development of partnerships beneficial to California.  State IT leaders will discuss California’s business needs, IT strategic roadmaps and partnership opportunity ideas.

For additional information on Cal-Vendor Technology Connection information, please e-mail: CalVendorConnection@gmail.com.

Registration for Cal-Vendor Technology Connection is available here.

http://portal.gis.ca.gov/geoportal/

SACRAMENTO – The California Technology Agency today launched the California GeoPortal, an interactive and user-friendly gateway to thousands of geographic data sources around the country.

“California’s new GeoPortal organizes important geographic data and makes it more accessible and useful,” said Secretary Carlos Ramos.  “This innovation increases government transparency, boosts efficiency and saves the State money.”

The California GeoPortal helps find solutions to real-world problems such as locating a new business or helping choose a new place to live. The GeoPortal gathers thousands of data sources such as demographics, environmental hazards, school information and transportation, and makes the information more accessible and useful. The GeoPortal strengthens these databases by combining information and making it customizable.

“For the first time in our history, California is taking a statewide approach to sharing data and mapping it to provide a visual location based view for our stakeholders – both public and private industry,” said Scott Gregory, California’s Geographic Information Officer.  “By making these diverse resources accessible and relevant, it becomes a very efficient and powerful decision making tool for all Californians.”

“The GeoPortal is a groundbreaking tool enhancing collaboration and data sharing among the public and private sector,” said Carl Guardino, the Chief Executive Officer of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. “Business will have accurate and relevant data at their fingertips, supporting their decisions to help grow California’s economy.”

California’s GeoPortal is a comprehensive catalog of thousands of data sources from federal, state, county, city, tribal and education geographic resources.  Users can access the GeoPortal from the web without having to login to another system, streamlining access to government derived and developed data.

“The ability to share geospatial data through a single public source will be a tremendous benefit to the academic institutions in California,” said Dr. Shawna Dark, Department of Geography Chair, California State University, Northridge.

The GeoPortal is a service offering by the California Technology Agency to state and local agencies and departments at no cost. It is a tool to be leveraged by organizations to catalog and manage their geographic data resources. Organizations will be able to register their geographic data content on the GeoPortal and securely manage their information. It has a robust set of management tools that allow organizations to edit, upload and maintain geographic information. The end result is a more comprehensive and authoritative data resource for geographic data in California.

For a video introduction to the California GeoPortal, visit here.

The California GeoPortal is available at http://portal.gis.ca.gov/geoportal/ .