Poughkeepsie... Dutchess County is again in the nation’s top ten for the best technology practices. The 2024 Digital Counties Survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), ranked Dutchess County 6th in the nation among mid-size county governments for efforts to enhance cybersecurity, streamline delivery of services and apply innovative technologies to county priorities. This work is led by the County’s Office of Central and Information Services’ (OCIS). Often a “behind-the-scenes” department, OCIS’s preparedness and training was on full display last week when the Crowdstrike-related technology outage affected millions of Microsoft Windows users, including many in Dutchess County Government. OCIS helped ensure a quick recovery within hours, with little to no disruption of County operations and services for residents.
County Executive Sue Serino said, “We proudly congratulate our OCIS team for this much-deserved recognition. Team members know the importance of staying aware of and planning for cyber-attacks and other threats to our systems. Their diligence helps ensure County data remains secure, preventing potentially costly interruptions to our daily operations and helping ensure we maintain the trust of residents and visitors alike.”
While the recent CrowdStrike shutdown was not a cyber-attack, malicious actors capitalized on the incident, attempting to obtain login credentials from employees to gain access to systems. This highlights the importance of cybersecurity, as the cost of recovering from such breaches continues to increase Such incidents can cost public sector-entities millions of dollars in repairs, ransom payments and legal fees.
OCIS Acting Commissioner Stephen Oscarlece said, “Dutchess County OCIS continues to implement and update a wide array of technology services to be as secure, accessible and effective as possible. The recent technology outage, while not a direct cyber threat, was still a good reminder of how important it is for our team to be prepared to respond quickly and efficiently to ensure our ability to provide essential services to fellow employees and residents alike. We are grateful for the continued recognition of our commitment and hard work.”
Dutchess County conducts cybersecurity tabletop exercises and employee trainings each year to increase cybersecurity awareness and preparedness. OCIS also works to help increase local municipalities preparedness with its’ annual Cyber Security Summit, held this past June at Marist College. The event included a panel discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) technology best practices and how cybercriminals are using the technology to target agencies and residents alike. OCIS also recently implemented trainings on the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence to enhance work processes and equipping staff to better support other agencies exploring AI options.
Dutchess County OCIS is not only a leader in cybersecurity, but also continues to provide innovative technology services, such as:
“The Digital Counties Survey illustrates how counties are on the cutting-edge, pursuing innovative approaches to serve our residents,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “Counties are thoughtfully adopting technologies like artificial intelligence and data platforms to enhance civic engagement, increase efficiency, and strengthen our communities today and for the future.”
