Company: Virginia Information Technology Agency, Chester, VA
Company Description: The Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) is the Commonwealth's consolidated information technology organization. VITA is a unique organization, pioneering a 21st century model for information technology governance and operational excellence. The creation of VITA represents the most comprehensive reform of state government information technology in the nation.
Nomination Category: Information Technology Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Information Technology Team of the Year

Nomination Title: Virginia Information Technology Agency

1. Tell the story about what this nominated team achieved since January 1 2013 (up to 525 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

By 2013’s end, the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) had transformed 86 of 89 executive branch agencies from a disjointed IT landscape to a standard, centralized, secure IT infrastructure. More than 2,300 sites at these 86 agencies statewide are receiving services from the partnership, including a 24x7 help desk that averages nearly 45,000 contacts per month, a structured personal computer refresh cycle, one enterprise messaging system, 24x7 security monitoring and prevention, a service catalog on VITA’s public site and more.

Information Security and Cyber Security:

Centralized IT offers vastly improved information security compared to inconsistent application at isolated agency sites. Today Commonwealth security manages a portfolio of tools, processes, communication and training to secure data and systems. Layers of protection are employed. In 2013 alone, the commonwealth filtered more than 738 million spam messages and blocked over 84 million cyber-attacks from reaching Commonwealth assets. In order to help identify and communicate cyber security risks, VITA adopted the new National Institute of Standards and Technology framework this year. This allows VITA to continue to keep families and businesses safe and make the Commonwealth the national hub for the cyber security industry and resulting jobs.

Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness:

In addition to VITA’s commitment to support and protect of Virginia’s IT infrastructure, VITA played a vital role in helping state and local governments in disaster preparedness and emergency response this year. Through VITA’s Virginia Base Mapping Program (VBMP), VITA is able to provide aerial imagery products for the eastern half of Virginia. These images are used by federal, state and local governments for emergency response, disaster preparedness and many other important functions that require aerial imagery All imagery data is provided at no cost to localities in Virginia, as it is fully funded through the state’s Wireless E-911 Fund.

New applications, services and accomplishments:

In 2013, VITA enabled a significant roster of new productivity solutions and accomplishments. Some of these projects already are in widespread use, while others have been built, tested and now near enterprise introduction.

VITA projects undertaken in 2013 to this end included:

•Completed four security hardening standards (Windows 2008, Windows 2012, Office 2010/2013, SQL Server

•Offered email data loss prevention service allowing users to identify sensitive information in email messages •Enhanced Server Security; Reduced Security incidents by 75 percent in the second half of 2013

•Provided multiple agencies with workplace collaboration services, featuring SharePoint 2013, bringing the total to 15

•Transitioned IT (websites, personal computers, mobile devices, email accounts, phones, printers, etc.) for new Gubernatorial administration in Virginia

 •Approved the eHHR Information Technology Strategic Plan and recognized by the industry for outstanding innovation in health IT.

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2. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader(s) of the nominated team:

Samuel A. Nixon Jr. was reappointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Commonwealth by Governor Terry McAuliffe. Prior to this appointment, he was Virginia's first CIO to be appointed by the former Governor Bob McDonnell under new legislation passed in 2010. As CIO, he serves as head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) and oversees the information technology infrastructure (IT) transformation partnership with Northrop Grumman. Prior to his appointment as CIO, Sam served nine terms in the Virginia House of Delegates. He also has more than 25 years of private sector IT business experience.