How a shift in data operations helped California better serve people during the pandemic In 2016, the California Health and Human Services Agency began merging data from disparate programs on a single platform, using standard data categories and definitions. This shift enabled the agency to respond more effectively and efficiently when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Read More
How a lack of data led to vaccine inequity During the past year, failures in the public health data infrastructure prevented state and local authorities from getting accurate information about COVID-19 prevalence and spread, leaving them unable to recommend equitable interventions. State and federal governments must work together and share data that would enable officials to track disease spread, vaccination rates and other health information in different communities to provide more equitable interventions. Read More
An analytics tool helps the Department of Homeland Security recruit talent In early 2020, DHS launched a new data analytics tool to recruit and hire new personnel more effectively. The tool includes a master calendar that enables the organization and its components to track their recruitment activities and successes in real time. Read More
Strategic cybersecurity communications: A balancing act Catherine Sabas, who works in information and security services at the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, explores why information sharing is crucial to any cybersecurity program. She also discusses the benefits of working in an everchanging environment and offers advice for people interested in cybersecurity careers in the federal government. Read More