Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Department of Management Services

Technology

For assistance, call (888) 478-6266 or (850) 922-7435 or visit https://www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/telecommunications/contact_us

What is the purpose of the program?

The Technology Program within the Department of Management Services includes the Division of Telecommunications. The division oversees contracts to provide cost-effective telecommunications and technology services to state agencies, local governments, and other public and non-profit entities, as well as manages public safety communications throughout the state. The program also includes the state chief information officer, who directs the Florida Digital Service. The department, through the Florida Digital Service, provides guidance and strategic direction on a variety of technologies and services.

What are the department's responsibilities for cybersecurity?

The department, acting through the Florida Digital Service, is responsible for establishing standards and processes for assessing state agency cybersecurity risks. Section 282.318, Florida Statutes, contains additional responsibilities the department, acting through the Florida Digital Service, has related to cybersecurity, such as

  • developing, and annually updating, a statewide cybersecurity strategic plan that includes goals and objectives for cybersecurity policy strategic issues, risk management, training, incident management, and disaster recovery planning;
  • annually reviewing the strategic and operational cybersecurity plans of state agencies; 
  • developing and publishing an cybersecurity framework for state agencies; and
  • designating a state chief information security officer with experience and expertise in security and risk management for communications and IT resources.

The Florida Cybersecurity Advisory Council is located within the department. The council assists state agencies in protecting state IT resources from cyber threats and incidents, and assists the Florida Digital Service in implementing cybersecurity practices. 

The department, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Cybercrime Office, is also required to annually provide information security training for state agency information security managers and response team members. The office consults with the Florida Digital Service in the adoption of state IT security rules.

How does the division assist with IT procurement?

While the department has enterprise-wide IT procurement responsibilities, such as establishing best practices for IT product procurement, including cloud computing services, and IT policy, the division also provides various IT procurement services. A few of these services include
  • telecommunications, such as voice, data, and conferencing, through SUNCOM, to a variety of government and non-profit entities;
  • contracting, coordinating and managing effective public safety communications and technology at all government levels throughout Florida; and
  • assisting state agencies with orders from master contracts.

What is the division's role in public safety communications?

The division provides services, including communication planning that ensures reliable statewide and regional communications systems, to state and local public safety sectors. It also provides operational assistance to the state E911 Board and supports 911 services in partnership with local government entities.

The division maintains the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) and the Florida Interoperability Network (FIN), as well as develops and maintains state radio communications plans. During emergencies and disasters the division provides communications assistance by leading the Emergency Support Function.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24
Fund Dollars Positions
PROGRAM: TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
OFFICE OF THE STATE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
90,937,793
70.00
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
328,339,160
70.00
WIRELESS SERVICES
126,855,924
14.00
TOTAL
546,132,877
154.00

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
Diversity and Inclusion: An Essential Element to the State IT Workforce, National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), April 2022
Department of Management Services State Data Center Operations
, Florida Auditor General Report 2022-179, March 2022
A Decade of Accomplishments FirstNet Annual Report to Congress FY 2021, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), March 2022

State of Florida E911 Board Annual Report, Florida E911 Board, February 2022

State CIO Top Ten Policy and Technology Priorities for 2022, National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), December 2021

National Emergency Communications Plan, Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Revised May 2020
Public Safety Communications: Ten Keys to Improving Emergency Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications, SAFECOM, National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators, Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, April 2019
Cybersecurity Framework, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, April 2018

Websites of Interest
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Emergency Communications

Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, SAFECOM

Department of Homeland Security, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Publications
Federal Communications Commission, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet)
Florida Division of Emergency Management, FloridaDisaster.org
National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO)
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Cybersecurity
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration Public Safety

Performance Information 


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Whom do I contact for help?