Cumberland County awarded for technology practices

By Staff Report, posted Aug 16, 2023 on BizFayetteville.com

Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Dr. Toni Stewart (front row, second from right) stands with representatives from other counties at the Digital County Survey Awards Reception on July 21 in Austin, Texas - Photo provided by Cumberland County

Cumberland County has been designated a 2023 Digital Counties Survey winner by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo).

Cumberland County was ranked seventh in the 250,000 – 499,999 population category of counties. Cumberland County’s Innovation & Technology Services (ITS) Department, along with Cumberland County Commissioners and Management staff, were recognized during a Digital County Survey Awards Reception in Austin, Texas.

The Digital Counties Survey identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services; provide data analytics to allow decisions based on performance and outcomes; enhance cybersecurity; and apply innovative and emerging technologies to county priorities.

Reasons for Cumberland County’s award-winning place among counties nationwide include:

Cumberland County was awarded based on the efforts of the ITS department to stand up the county’s new 17,000 square-foot Emergency Services Center in October 2022 – just as Hurricane Ian brought tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain into the county.
Lessons learned from hurricanes Matthew and Florence helped develop a list of critical needs to provide emergency services in the event of a disaster. The ITS team spearheaded the process of implementing next-generation 911 technology and rapid call routing in case of an evacuation of the facility. An advanced audio-visual system was installed and eight conference rooms were programmed to be interconnected through the building’s AV system.
With an eye on cybersecurity, Cumberland County replaced an outdated system this year with a new, more robust system that minimizes the risk of system downtime or outages. The county participated in two cyber simulation exercises in the last year to continue to identify and improve gaps in their system’s cybersecurity.
Cumberland County has also put a focus on hiring and retaining qualified staff by expanding remote work opportunities and establishing a recruitment plan to offer salary and pay increases commensurate with experience. They worked to increase wireless Internet access for all residents by purchasing 100 hot spot units available for free checkout through the Cumberland County Library.

The announcement from the Center for Digital Government reads “The County of Cumberland is among a distinguished group of counties that have worked hard to improve their digital, citizen and government experience through technology and leadership.”

“Excellence in technology practices is not just about mastering tools and techniques; it’s about a commitment to constant learning, adaptability, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Cumberland County Chief Innovation and Technology Services Director Keith Todd in a press release. “This award recognizes those who are paving the way for a smarter future.”

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