Chief Technology Officer Lindsey Parkerdiscussed this dynamic with Government Technology during the National Association of State Chief Information Officers Midyear Conference in National Harbor, Md., May 6.
As she sees it, the myriad federal, state and local agencies — as well as engaged organizations — in the region make it a challenging one to defend. One area of focus for Parker is equipping employees with the tools and knowledge they need to best protect citizen data and government systems.
She's also working to ensure a robust talent pipeline. Parker said a proactive approach to cultivating the workforce helps the District maintain stability and protect vital systems. Engagements with youth as well as “stealing” from other talent pools allows for a stream of qualified IT professionals, she added.
"The one thing that I'm trying to do in Washington is make sure that everyone understands that at the office of the chief technology officer, we're looking for civic innovators," she said.
