Image caption: Chief Data Officer Azhar Rahman (center) speaks about managing data on a panel at the N.C. Digital Government Summit on Aug. 19.
N.C. Department of Information Technology leaders in data, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence tackled how the public sector can protect the information entrusted to it without losing the ability to share critical data to tackle pressing problems.
During sessions at the N.C. Digital Government Summit on Aug. 19, Chief Data Officer Azhar Rahman spoke about managing data so it stays secure and usable across agencies. Knowing a dataset's source, ownership, structure, and quality is what makes it trustworthy enough to share and build on.
"Data governance should be incorporated from the birth of data," Rahman said. "When data travels, that trust travels with it."
Deputy Chief Information Security Officer Jennifer Fix addressed protecting data and preventing fraud as agencies collaborate to deliver services such as unemployment insurance. She called for constant scrutiny — of data, the employees who handle it, and the users who generate it — paired with analytics that flag unusual behavior and a relentless effort to close even minor gaps.
"Government services are our front door under attack," Fix said.
"Having a passionate team that cares about the mission is so important. Work together. Implement strong, consistent controls across agencies and government."
Deputy Secretary for AI and Policy I-Sah Hsieh said that when he works with groups across state government on AI adoption, he encourages them to lean on instincts already built into public service: Employees are practiced at safeguarding entrusted data and questioning who a new tool actually serves.
"The benefit we have as public servants is that we're able to share, and we're willing to share," Hsieh said. "Let's seize this opportunity."