| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2020 |
| Jurisdiction | Florida |
| Headquarters | 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Parent agency | Florida Department of Management Services |
| Website | digital.fl.gov |
The Florida Digital Service is a government agency created to lead Florida's cybersecurity efforts.[1] In 2020, the agency, modeled after the United States Digital Service, was created by Ron DeSantis[2] based on legislation introduced by Florida Rep. James Grant, who initially led the organization.[3] The Florida Department of Management Services is the parent agency.[3]
In 2021, several top officials departed without giving any notice[1] and the agency, short-staffed, was unable to create a plan to spend the $30 million in funding assigned to cybersecurity measures by lawmakers.[4] By September 2022 only 40 of 70 full-time positions were filled.[5] Grant announced he would step down from the role of Chief Information Officer on July 1, 2023.[6] In April 2024, a law revised the purpose of the agency to be "to lead enterprise information technology and cybersecurity efforts."[7][8] In August 2024, Warren Sponholtz was named the new Chief Information Officer.[9]
- ^ a b "Florida lacks cybersecurity experts as state sees growing threats". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Here's why Florida's information technology projects keep failing". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ a b Wood, Colin (2020-08-13). "Florida State Rep. James Grant to become state's new CIO". StateScoop. Archived from the original on 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Florida hasn't used $30 million in cybersecurity protection funding. Why not?". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Florida CIO: Digital Service Moving from 'Startup to Scale Up'". GovTech. 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ Freed, Benjamin (2023-06-09). "Florida CIO James Grant to step down". StateScoop. Archived from the original on 2024-05-02. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "USF formally takes over state initiative Cyber Florida under new law". www.bizjournals.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "CS/CS/CS/HB 1555". Archived from the original on 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Warren Sponholtz named as chief information officer".