VITA Service Bulletin October 2010

Volume 10, Number 10

From the CIO

Governor Bob McDonnell has designated the month of October as Cyber Security Awareness Month across the Commonwealth. All of us have responsibility for maintenance of effective cyber security for electronic assets and citizens' data. Cyber security is an important example of the partnership between the state and our localities.

Many resources are provided for government entities on the VITA website in an online Information Security Toolkit. Monthly meetings of Information Security Officers, including those from localities, provide in-depth discussion of important topics. Cyber security alerts are regularly distributed. Our monthly publication Information Security Tips provides basic information for citizens regarding cyber security. 

Now is a good time to share this observance and to review your cyber security posture.

Read the Governor's proclamation 

Become familiar with the online Information Security Toolkit 

Read Information Security Tips 

View the video Duhs of Security produced by VITA - and feel free to share with your staff

As always, I appreciate and value your input. Please contact me at cio@vita.virginia.gov with your ideas, questions or concerns.

--

VITA awards new contracts for network infrastructure cabling, services

VITA has established a new statewide structured cabling product and services contract that provides users with cabling products and installation services (both inside and outside plant) for network infrastructure. 

Four of the five providers are certified small, women and minority (SWaM) vendors. An interactive map has been deployed on the VITA website for these contracts. To use it, first find your work location on the map, then select a supplier from your district.

These contracts offer established rates and the benefit of the combined buying power of the state.

See the contracts 

November narrowband clinic at Radford

VITA is offering a free narrowband clinic on Nov. 15, 16 and 17 at Radford University.  These clinics provide opportunities for individual localities, state agencies, public safety entities and institutions of higher learning to discuss the impact of the FCC narrowband mandate. 

More information:

FCC Narrowband Mandate 

Radford University Narrowband Clinic Information 

Questions and reservation information, contact:

David R. Warner - Spectrum Manager, Radio Engineering, VITA, (804)416-6199

VITA's Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN) debuts free Virginia mapping application for mobile Apple devices

Users of iPhone and iPod Touch now may access a powerful Virginia mapping application in the iTunes App Store - at no charge. The application processes VGIN statewide geospatial data and creates custom Virginia maps for users. The application accesses both digital photography from statewide fly-overs and road centerline data, which is updated by Virginia localities quarterly. A VGIN staffer came up with the idea and created the application on his own time to further availability and use of Virginia's map data.

See the VGIN mapping application in the iTunes store 

VGIN coordinates new mapping of Virginia's coastal areas

New aerial mapping will provide better models of the earth surface in Virginia's Tidewater area offering a variety of benefits to citizens, businesses and governments. One immediate benefit is improved emergency planning during hurricane season. Mapping of the coast was coordinated by VITA's VGIN division in cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Virginia information technology grade: A-

Digital States Survey ranks state in top four in nation

Information technology in Virginia government continues to lead the nation, according to scores just released by the Center for Digital Government and its Digital States Survey. The center graded the overall IT posture of the state as an A-. The states of Michigan and Utah received grades of A, and Pennsylvania joined Virginia in receipt of an A- ranking, placing the four states atop the nation in the survey rankings.

The Digital States Survey, conducted biennially in even years, is a comprehensive study that examines best practices, policies and progress made by state governments in their use of digital technologies to better serve their citizens and streamline operations.

Read full results of the 2010 Digital States Survey 

September Information Security Tips

The topic of this month's Information Security Tips newsletter is "Detecting and Avoiding Fake Anti-Virus Software."

Read the September issue 

September Public Safety Communications News Brief

The Public Safety Communications (PSC) News Brief is one of several means of communicating the 9-1-1 coordinating activities of the PSC division of VITA to its stakeholder community. This new publication will encourage, promote and assist in the development and deployment of statewide enhanced emergency telecommunications systems.

Read the September issue 

October Network News

This month's edition of Network News, designed primarily for executive branch agencies, details members of the new Information Technology Advisory Council and other news.

Read the October issue