Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/850954
E n s u r i n g a S t r o n g F u t u r e 64 | P a g e Information Technology – Key Focus Areas The key focus areas for the Information Technology Department are IT Infrastructure and Operations, IT Services and Applications, GIS Services and Applications and Information Security. These focus areas support the Plan by providing technology solutions to the District and its stakeholders over the next five years. IT Infrastructure and Operations IT infrastructure is the backbone of modern businesses. It is imperative for IT infrastructure to be well maintained and successfully managed so it is dependable and appropriate for an organization's needs. The District's IT staff excels at supporting existing infrastructure and exploring new and innovative opportunities for the future. IT Services and Applications IT staff provides excellent support for the many software applications used by District staff. They provide critical technical support when needed and often act as a liaison between staff and software providers. Information Security The protection of vital data from being stolen or corrupted is an ongoing concern. Ensuring a secure and safe computing environment is a crucial role for IT as attacks on sensitive data and systems continues to grow globally with increasing frequency. The goal of a good cyber defense strategy is to reduce risk and prevent damage to the District's data and information systems. This requires awareness, diligence and the ability to react quickly to threats. GIS Services and Applications GIS is a spatial and geographical database system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze and manage organizational data to help stakeholders visualize and interpret the relationships between data to make informed decisions. A fully developed GIS benefits the District by enabling users to create informational maps, spatially view all District infrastructure, query information by the asset attributes or spatial location, and make better decisions. The District's enterprise GIS gives staff access to GIS data to address varying departmental needs. It gives the end user the ability to pinpoint the location of an asset or identify an area of customers impacted by a service interruption electronically. It also allows for real time updates when assets are added or moved.