The Technology Program within the Department of Management Services (DMS) includes the Division of Telecommunications. The division provides 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 (CIO), 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. 

The department is responsible for establishing information technology (IT) security standards and processes, including cybersecurity. Section 282.318, Florida Statutes, contains additional responsibilities the department has related to IT security, such as

• developing, and annually updating, a statewide information technology security strategic plan that includes goals and objectives for IT security policy strategic issues, risk management, training, incident management, and disaster recovery planning;
• annually reviewing the strategic and operational IT security plans of executive branch agencies; 
• developing and publishing an IT security 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 department, along with FDLE'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 department on state IT security rules.

• entering into service-level agreements with each customer entity;
• developing and implementing business continuity and disaster recovery plans and annually conducting a live exercise of each plan; and
• being the custodian of, as well as assuming administrative access rights to, resources and equipment consolidated and located within the center.

The SDC also has requirements related to cloud-computing services such as 

• showing preference in its procurement process for cloud-computing solutions that either minimize or do not require using SDC infrastructure when cloud-computing solutions meet agency/customer needs, reduce costs, and meet or exceed applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and standards for IT security; and
• assisting customer entities in transitioning from SDC services to third-party cloud-computing services procured by a customer entity.

• 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.

The division provides services, including communication planning that ensures reliable statewide and regional communications systems, to state and local public safety sectors. It also oversees 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.

Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) Funding. The 2021 Legislature enacted Ch. 2021-3, Laws of Florida, which extends the expiration date from July 1, 2021, until July 1, 2026, for a $3 surcharge on all noncriminal moving traffic violations and specified criminal offenses to continue supporting SLERS costs, and to provide technical assistance to state agencies and local law enforcement agencies with their statewide systems of regional law enforcement communications.

Cybersecurity. The 2021 Legislature enacted Chapter 2021-234, Laws of Florida, which creates new, and amends current DMS cybersecurity-related responsibilities. In addition to a number of provisions, it specifies that the department, acting through the Florida Digital Service (FDS), is the lead entity responsible for duties such as assessing state agency cybersecurity risks, determining appropriate measures to mitigate risks, and safeguarding state agency digital assets.

In addition, the law creates the Florida Cybersecurity Advisory Council within the department to assist state agencies in protecting state IT resources from cyber threats and incidents, and to assist the FDS in implementing cybersecurity practices.

Other Reports

Rising to the Challenge FirstNet Annual Report to Congress FY 2020, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), March 2021.

State CIO Top Ten Policy and Technology Priorities for 2021, National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), December 2020.

2020 State CIO Survey, National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), October 2020. 

2020 Deloitte-NASCIO Cybersecurity Study, Deloitte and the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), October 2020.

National Emergency Communications Plan, Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Revised May 2020.

State of Florida 2020 E911 Board Annual Report, Florida E911 Board, February 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.
Florida Law Enforcement Communications Plan, 2018 Edition, Department of Management Services, Division of Telecommunications, December 2018. 
Cybersecurity Framework, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, April 2018.  
The Florida 700MHz Public Safety State Use Channel Plan, Department of Management Services, Division of Telecommunications, Revised 2018.

Websites of Interest

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 

Division of Telecommunications Contact Information

Website

Florida Digital Service Contact Information 

Website