Fairfax County has been ranked among America's top three in the 2018 Digital Counties Survey in the United States for jurisdictions with populations of 1,000,000 or greater by The Center for Digital Government in partnership with National Association of Counties (NACo). The survey identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services, encourage open data, collaboration and shared services, enhance cyber security and contribute to disaster response and recovery efforts. Since the inception of Digital Counties Survey sixteen years ago, Fairfax County has been ranked in the top ten as a technology innovator for fifteen years, in the top five for eight consecutive years and earning first place three times during this span.
Wanda Gibson, Chief Technology Officer and Director of the Department of Information Technology, credits "County leadership and our tech savvy community for longstanding vision embracing the power of technology in government service, and enabling a flexible investment strategy which allows the IT planning to be agile, adjusting to changes in needs and navigate through fiscal challenges. We emphasize transparency, agility, flexibility and scalability to meet both current and future strategic initiatives.”
The Digital Counties Survey winners were chosen based innovation and digital footprint in county government. Fairfax County was ranked in the third place this year for its achievements in effective adoption of technologies to:
- promote government transparency;
- enhance customer engagement with a newly reimaged user-centric website;
- lead cyber security initiatives;
- spearhead and coordinate regional interoperable communications initiatives, which includes broadband/wireless infrastructure, cyber security and geo-spatial data exchange in collaboration 23 other governments.
“Effective technology has proven to be a key tool for efficiency in many facets of county government,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “We applaud this year’s Digital Counties Survey winners for showcasing the value of innovation and adaptation. Their embrace of cutting-edge approaches has benefited residents while ensuring good stewardship of taxpayer resources.”
