West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 163 - Office of Technology
West Virginia Code of State Rules
Agency 163 — Office of Technology
Overview
The Office of Technology (OT), as established under Agency 163, serves as the central authority for overseeing the state's information technology (IT) resources and infrastructure. The Office is responsible for coordinating, managing, and supporting technology initiatives across West Virginia state government agencies to improve efficiency, security, and service delivery.
Key Areas Covered by Agency 163
1. Purpose and Mission
To provide centralized leadership and oversight for IT planning and resource management.
To ensure consistent and secure technology services statewide.
To establish IT standards and policies that promote interoperability and cost-effectiveness.
To support agencies in meeting their technology needs aligned with the state’s strategic goals.
2. Organizational Structure
The Office is headed by a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or equivalent position appointed under the agency’s provisions.
The Office includes various divisions or units focused on specific technology areas, such as network management, cybersecurity, application development, and project management.
Staff roles and responsibilities are defined to support the agency’s mission.
3. Authority and Governance
The Office of Technology has authority to develop statewide technology policies, standards, and procedures.
It coordinates IT procurement to ensure compliance with state standards and cost efficiency.
The Office reviews and approves major IT projects and budgets proposed by individual agencies.
It maintains responsibility for statewide IT infrastructure, including networks, data centers, and security frameworks.
4. IT Planning and Project Management
Agencies must submit IT project proposals and plans to the Office for review and approval.
The Office evaluates projects for feasibility, alignment with state priorities, and resource requirements.
Project management methodologies are established and enforced to ensure successful implementation and risk mitigation.
Regular progress reporting and audits may be required.
5. Standards and Security
The Office defines technical standards for hardware, software, networking, and data management.
It implements cybersecurity policies to protect state data and systems against threats.
Incident response and recovery procedures are mandated.
Training and awareness programs are provided to promote security best practices among state employees.
6. Service Delivery and Support
The Office provides shared IT services such as data hosting, help desk support, and enterprise applications.
It ensures high availability and disaster recovery capabilities.
User support and technical assistance are coordinated to maximize agency operational effectiveness.
7. Procurement and Vendor Management
The Office oversees technology-related procurement processes to ensure transparency and compliance.
Vendor contracts are reviewed and managed centrally.
Standards for technology acquisitions are set to ensure compatibility and scalability.
8. Compliance and Reporting
Agencies are required to comply with policies and directives issued by the Office.
The Office monitors compliance and may conduct audits.
Regular reporting on IT expenditures, project status, and security incidents is mandated.
Summary Table of Agency 163
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose & Mission | Central IT leadership, policy-making, and service delivery |
| Organizational Structure | Leadership roles and internal divisions |
| Authority & Governance | Policy development, project approval, and oversight |
| IT Planning & Management | Project proposals, evaluation, and management procedures |
| Standards & Security | Technical standards, cybersecurity policies, and training |
| Service Delivery & Support | Shared services, help desk, disaster recovery |
| Procurement & Vendor Management | Oversight of acquisitions and contracts |
| Compliance & Reporting | Monitoring compliance, audits, and regular reporting |
Illustrative Internal Example (Hypothetical Scenario)
Scenario: An agency submits a request to implement a new statewide database system.
The Office of Technology reviews the project proposal, evaluating technical requirements, security implications, and budget.
The project is approved with conditions, including compliance with established data security standards and integration with existing systems.
The Office assigns a project manager to oversee implementation, requiring regular progress reports.
Upon completion, the Office conducts a post-implementation review to ensure objectives are met.
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