Industry Leaders Chime In on Likely Federal CIO Priorities

A recent Federal Times article speculates about Scott’s likely priorities as CIO:  cybersecurity, IT workforce, and IT project performance. 

Cybersecurity heads the list of expected priorities for the new federal CIO.  Backed by administration support, cybersecurity is allotted $14B in the president’s FY 2016 budget request.  Protecting federal data and networks is a high priority for the administration.   Scott will play a vital role in coordinating cyber efforts, capitalizing on technology and communicating policies to department and agency CIOs.  Forums where CIOs can share best practices and challenges, such as the CIO council, will be very valuable in these endeavors.

Scott is also expected to address IT workforce issues.  To bring government to the cutting edge of technology, the IT workforce must undergo continual training and also bring in private sector expertise.  According to OPM, nearly 50% of the federal IT workforce is over 50 years old.  While age doesn’t limit expertise or creativity, it does call for continual training to be on the cutting edge.  Industry hopes that that training extends beyond the traditional IT workforce and stretches to contract, acquisition and program personnel.

Federal industry executives also believe Scott will focus on IT project performance.  They suggest that the focus should be on using data to improve projects rather than looking at reporting requirements as just required mandates.  

Industry experts also see the new CIO as playing a role in the implementation of new digital service teams across agencies.  The federal budget request calls for creating teams at 25 agencies.     

Scott is the first federal CIO who comes to government with experience as a CIO.  He brings a private sector perspective to the business of government, along with commercial best practices.    “He’s going to be looked at as somebody to be a coordinator and also a leader in terms of identifying what are the top priorities and really leading the federal CIO community,” according to Jason Kimrey area director of Intel Federal.   Federal and industry IT leaders are hopeful that Scott will make a positive and lasting impact on federal IT.