IT Strategic Plan

Last Updated: March 12, 2025

Executive Summary: The IT strategic plan for York County Government outlines a roadmap for leveraging technology to support the county's mission of delivering efficient and effective services to its residents. Through this plan, we aim to enhance cybersecurity measures, improve digital services for citizens, foster collaboration, enhance data management, and modernize our IT infrastructure. By aligning our IT initiatives with the county's strategic objectives, we seek to optimize resource allocation and drive positive outcomes for our community.

Introduction: Technology plays a pivotal role in enabling York County Government to fulfill its responsibilities and meet the evolving needs of its residents. This IT strategic plan outlines our vision, mission, and goals for leveraging technology effectively. It serves as a guiding framework for making informed decisions, prioritizing investments, and driving innovation in our IT initiatives.

Current State Assessment: A comprehensive assessment of our current IT landscape reveals both strengths and areas for improvement. While we have robust systems in place for core operations, such as finance and public safety, there are opportunities to enhance cybersecurity posture, streamline processes, and modernize legacy systems for better efficiency.

Vision, Mission, and Goals:

Vision: To be a leader in leveraging technology to deliver seamless and citizen-centric services that enhance the quality of life in York County.

Mission: To strategically plan, deploy, and manage innovative technology solutions that support the county's operations, improve service delivery, and foster community engagement.

Goals:

1.            Strengthen Cybersecurity: Implement multi-layered security measures to protect sensitive data, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

2.            Improve Digital Services: Enhance online platforms and mobile applications to provide convenient access to government services and information for residents and businesses.

3.            Foster Collaboration: Promote cross-departmental collaboration and knowledge sharing to maximize the value of IT investments and drive innovation.

4.            Enhance Data Management: Establish data governance practices and leverage analytics to make data-driven decisions, improve operational efficiency, and address community needs.

5.            Modernize IT Infrastructure: Upgrade core infrastructure components, including servers, networks, and storage, to support emerging technologies and future growth. Explore opportunities for cloud adoption to improve flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

Strategic Initiatives:

1.            Cybersecurity Enhancement:

• Implement multi-layered security measures, including firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems, to safeguard against cyber threats.
• Conduct regular security assessments and training programs to educate staff and raise awareness of cybersecurity best practices.

2.            Digital Service Improvement:

• Redesign the county website and online portals to enhance user experience, accessibility, and functionality.
• Introduce new digital services, such as online permit applications and payment processing, to streamline interactions with residents and businesses.

3.            Collaboration Promotion:

• Establish an IT governance framework to facilitate decision-making, prioritize initiatives, and allocate resources effectively.
• Foster partnerships with external stakeholders, including neighboring jurisdictions and technology vendors, to share resources and expertise.

4.            Data Management Optimization:

• Develop a comprehensive data management strategy to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical information assets.
• Implement data analytics tools and methodologies to gain insights, monitor performance, and inform strategic decision-making.

5.            Infrastructure Modernization:

• Upgrade core infrastructure components, including servers, networks, and storage, to support emerging technologies and future growth.
• Explore opportunities for cloud adoption to improve flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

Resource Allocation: Allocate budget and resources based on the prioritization of strategic initiatives, considering both capital and operational expenditures. Seek funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships to supplement internal resources and maximize the impact of IT investments.

Governance and Risk Management: Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and processes for IT governance, risk management, and compliance. Define accountability mechanisms, escalation procedures, and performance metrics to monitor progress and mitigate risks effectively.

Implementation Plan: Develop a detailed implementation plan for each strategic initiative, including timelines, milestones, dependencies, and resource requirements. Assign dedicated project teams, project managers, and key stakeholders to oversee the execution and delivery of initiatives.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of the IT strategic plan against predefined metrics and KPIs. Conduct periodic reviews and assessments to identify challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities for improvement. Solicit feedback from stakeholders and incorporate insights into ongoing planning and decision-making processes.

Conclusion: The IT strategic plan for York County Government sets forth a comprehensive roadmap for leveraging technology to enhance service delivery, promote innovation, and achieve our organizational objectives. By prioritizing initiatives that align with our vision and goals, we are committed to building a resilient and citizen-centric digital infrastructure that meets the needs of our community now and in the future. Together, we will continue to adapt, innovate, and leverage technology as a strategic enabler for positive change.