Talk Of The County | Tackling Cyber Threats and Promoting Broadband Equity with NACo's Rita Reynolds

Franklin County Media

"Leveraging AI for a Better World": "This is a, area of technology that everyone is is looking at and saying, how can we make the world better, and how can we work together to make the world better in a reliable way?" - Rita Reynolds

In this episode of "Talk Of The County," host Kenneth Wilson engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Rita Reynolds, the Chief Information Officer for the National Association of Counties (NACo). They talk about a myriad of topics ranging from cybersecurity and digital equity to the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI). Throughout the conversation, Rita offers valuable insights drawn from her 36 years of experience working with county IT leaders and her deep commitment to advancing technology at the county level.

Top Takeaways

1. Verifying Suspicious Emails: Rita Reynolds emphasizes the importance of verifying suspicious emails through official alert systems to prevent malware infiltration and protect county networks.
2. Digital Equity and Broadband Access: Digital equity is a focal point for NACo, aiming to ensure universal broadband access across all counties, viewed as an essential utility for daily life similar to water.
3. Collaboration for Accurate Data: Counties play a crucial role in working with ISPs to ensure accurate data reporting, effective use of grants, and successful federal initiatives like the BEED grant to enhance high-speed internet access in underserved areas.
4. Cybersecurity Measures: Cybersecurity remains a top concern for county CIOs, with dual-factor authentication and the use of complex passwords being highlighted as critical preventive measures against cyber threats.
5. Training and Education: Employee training in cybersecurity, including phishing awareness and practical exercises like simulated phishing emails, is vital for enhancing security within county systems.
6. AI in Everyday Life: AI's presence in everyday life through tools like Siri has evolved to include more sophisticated applications such as generative AI, which NACo is exploring through its dedicated committee focusing on policy, ethics, and workforce impact.
7. AI and Human Oversight: AI’s role in decision-making, especially in policy and eligibility for benefits, necessitates human oversight to ensure ethical considerations and prevent biases in data and outcomes.
8. Report on AI’s Potential and Challenges: NACo’s new report discusses AI's benefits, such as improved productivity and service delivery, as well as challenges in governance, security, privacy, and the need for guiding principles for local government use.
9. Creative Cybersecurity Workshops: Rita mentions a creative workshop on cyber best practices, styled after "Shark Tank," held during "shark week" to engage participants innovatively and practically in cybersecurity awareness.
10. AI in Talent Acquisition: Concerns about the authenticity of candidate assessments arise when AI tools are used in HR functions, highlighting the need for a balanced approach between technology and human judgment in the hiring process.

Key Moments

00:00 Career focused on county development and IT.

06:23 Efforts to address bias in book creation.

09:21 Dilemma: Identical application answers and fairness.

12:02 Generative tools modify email tone effectively.

14:51 Enhances productivity, equity, but governance challenging.

18:20 Flexibly use toolkit; counties vary widely.

22:11 Federal grants boost broadband access in communities.

27:27 Advocacy continues for internet access funding partnerships.

31:11 Cyber attacks are inevitable, demanding constant vigilance.

34:33 Interviews reveal weak password security vulnerabilities.

35:32 Educating staff on cybersecurity through training tools.

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