| TOP STORIES States Prioritized Broadband as COVID-19 Took Hold
As COVID-19 forced droves of Americans to work and learn from home in 2020, the importance of reliable high-speed Internet highlighted the digital divide in ways state leadership couldn’t ignore. READ MORE In 2020, a Reckoning for Law Enforcement and Tech Ethics
From worldwide protests to policy moves from technology giants like IBM and Amazon, the past year saw police use of tools like facial recognition and body cams come under scrutiny like never before. READ MORE Grim Forecast, Pandemic Collide in Banner Cybersecurity Year
Before COVID-19 swept the globe, experts were already predicting a disastrous year in cybersecurity. The pandemic offered hackers new attack vectors and proved governments must always be ready for the unexpected. READ MORE Swift Shift to Telework Proves Public-Sector’s Agility
Many public leaders long believed that the people’s business could not be done from outside the walls of government buildings, but COVID-19 showed government can function from anywhere — quickly. READ MORE COVID-19 Fueled Innovation in Public Transit Solutions
While the pandemic meant fewer cars on the road as many Americans worked from home, transportation agencies looked to new ways trains, buses and ride shares could get essential workers to their jobs. READ MORE COVID-19: The Ultimate Stress Test for Major Government Systems
Crashing state unemployment websites. Overwhelmed call centers. Millions out of work. Cloud technologies stepped up to the plate as the public sector worked to get citizens what they needed during the pandemic. READ MORE Emerging Tech Gets Off the Ground Amid Pandemic Response
Drones, thermal imaging and contact tracing got traction in all levels of government as COVID-19 broke down procurement barriers, sped up development and paved the way for getting new tech up and running. READ MORE COVID-19 Pushes Digital Services from Luxury to Necessity
For many jurisdictions, moving citizen services online was a long-term, “nice-to-have” project, but the pandemic forced new ways to bring city hall to the people, rather than the people to city hall. READ MORE | 