These days there very much exists a need for states to
implement working departments that can ensure the state's IT infrastructure is
stable, secure, and well-governed. In that vein, Georgia has instituted the
Georgia Technology Department (GTA), a working sector of the state's government
completely devoted to Georgia's technological advances.
The GTA carries out four major objectives:
- Manages the state's IT infrastructure. The GTA
has a hand in the state's data center, network, telecommunications services and
security.
- Writes policies, standards and guidelines for
the state's IT side.
- Promotes an enterprise - level approach to state
IT.
- Manages Georgia.gov, the state's official
website.
Additionally, the GTA is responsible for all technology
enterprise management - which means that they provide assistance on managing
technology resources for state agencies - and making sure that the state's top
technology investments are effectively carrying out their duties.
Future Plans for the
GTA
One of the biggest changes to the face of the GTA has been
the Georgia Infrastructure Transformation, effectively known as GAIT 2010, in
2007. The effort sought to consolidate IT infrastructure and transfer a number
of both telecommunication and infrastructure initiatives to ESPs (external
service providers). The restructuring allows for the GTA to take control of
their budgeting and finances and set into motion the Service Management Organization,
which ensures the quality of the products and services GTA buys from ESPs.
GTA's Mission
Since its inception, GTA's main intention has been to do
four things unequivocally well:
- Improve agency service delivery through the
effective and efficient use of technology
- Advance the maturity level of Georgia's IT
enterprise
- Secure and stabilize Georgia's IT enterprise,
thus cutting down on risk
- Give Georgians more access to the state's
government through technology.
