Your IT shop needs a CTO

As the Obama administration reorganizes federal IT, there may be opportunity for agency and department chief technology officers to step up to the plate and bring about new innovation in government.

For many IT operations in government, there is plenty of room for a CTO to take on some of the many technology demands for a department, but the job is often vacant or not approved for a specific agency. At a recent conference, some CTOs offered a bit of advice to their colleagues about how to become an essential part of an IT department. FBI CTO Jerome Israel said the CTO needs to be a trusted adviser to the CIO, and a key part of bringing in new technology that will improve agency capabilities.

Homeland Security Department CTO Daniel Cotter said one key role is finding technology that will create a secure environment, a requirement that is central to any IT operation. FEDTECH magazine said the CTO had other essential roles, too, including the need to define and overcome hurdles to change; to make sure a technology is necessary and meshes with mission goals; to make security a priority and to be sure the job is done right.

For more on how a CTO fits into your IT needs:
- see this FEDTECH Article