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February 2025
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Upcoming Events
Oregon Geographic Information Council (OGIC) Meeting
April 30, 2025
Oregon Digital Government Summit
May 6, 2025
Oregon Public Sector Cybersecurity Summit
Sept. 24, 2025
About EIS
Enterprise Information Services ensures accessible, reliable and secure state technology systems that equitably serve Oregonians.
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AI Advisory Council Sends Final Action Plan to Governor Kotek
The State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council met on Feb. 11 to adopt the Final Recommended Action Plan and it was delivered to Governor Kotek who announced release of the plan.
The plan describes the recommended executive actions and further elaborates high level tasks with a recommended accountable role, proposed estimated timeframe, as well as resources and investments needed to initiate each recommendation. The vision is to create an informed and empowered workforce, AI that is governed by transparency, well-defined policies that ensure its ethical use, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and safeguard personal and sensitive information.
The Council Chair, State Chief Information Officer Terrence Woods, thanks the Council and EIS staff for the work to create this comprehensive action plan for Oregon to foster a responsible AI ecosystem that enhances government efficiency, accountability, and public trust, while upholding the highest standards of privacy and ethical integrity.
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EIS Agile Oversight
In late 2023, the EIS Agile Oversight initiative was launched as part of its 2023–2026 Strategic Framework.
During its assessment, EIS learned that most agencies use a hybrid approach, pivoting to agile after vendor selection, and often face challenges with product ownership, backlog management and limited experience.
To address this, EIS refined the Stage Gate Oversight Model, adding incremental gating for Stage Gate 3A/3B, created agile project readiness and maturity evaluations, and developed an agile-oriented Required Artifacts Form.
These updates launch Feb. 1, 2025, with guidance on the Project Portfolio Performance (P3) website. For questions, contact your ASCIO or Senior IT Portfolio Manager.
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Single Sign On Coming This Spring
As an enhancement to the Project Portfolio Management (PPM) user experience, Single Sign On (SSO) for PPM will be implemented this Spring prior to the rollout of the Modern User Experience.
SSO is a simple way to authenticate users who can log in directly to an application without requiring a username and password. It not only eliminates the need to remember and enter multiple logins, but it also ensures access is compliant with Cyber Security Services policy and technical standards.
Watch your email for more news as the project progresses. If you have questions, please contact the Project Manager, Ly Do.
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Enterprise Data Sharing MOU
Governor Kotek’s Homelessness Response Framework has tasked Enterprise Information Services, the State Chief Data Officer, and Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Authority, and Oregon Housing and Community Services to set up data sharing agreements between primary state agencies working to reduce homelessness to support reliable and community informed data analysis and data informed decision making in a way that protects personally identifiable information (PII).
The agreement has been finalized, and this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) represents a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance data sharing and collaboration across agencies, aligning with the Governor’s strategic priorities to better serve Oregonians.
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EIS M365 Assessment Survey is Live
The EIS M365 Security Enhancements Project Team recently emailed an assessment survey to Executive Branch Agencies who are covered by EIS services. Agencies have a deadline of Feb. 28 to complete the survey.
Responses are vital for EIS Cybersecurity Services to fulfill its mission to protect against cybersecurity threats. Thank you to those who have already taken the time to complete the assessment survey.
The project team will continue to leverage the multiple methods of communication for any assistance agencies may need through the duration of the survey.
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State CIO Awards
Enterprise Information Services is kicking off the 2025 State CIO Awards with a presentation to the Chief Information Officers (CIO) Council Feb. 18 and then following up with delivery of the information and packet to agency IT leaders.
The State CIO Terrence Woods awards honor, innovation, and excellence in the use of information technology in state government. Agencies who submit projects are showing that their teams work hard and deserve to receive recognition.
The submissions will articulate what was done and why it mattered, promotes awareness of transformative, results-oriented projects and can be shared beyond our borders.
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Black History Month
February is Black History Month and celebrates the contributions, achievements, and struggles of Black people throughout history. This month not only gives us time to reflect on the rich history and enduring impact of Black Americans, but time to acknowledge the current disparities and commitment to attaining equity and inclusion for all.
A zoom discussion organized by diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) leaders in state government will be held on Feb. 27. Featured panelists from across the enterprise representing different positions and experience levels will lead on 'What is it like to be Black and work for the State of Oregon?'.
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Data Center Services is taking another significant step toward sustainability and compliance by retrofitting diesel particulate filters (DPFs) to our three data center generators. This initiative reflects our commitment to reducing emissions while ensuring operational reliability.
Diesel generators are a critical backup power source for the data center, ensuring uptime and reliability during power outages. However, they are also a source of particulate matter (PM), a pollutant that can negatively impact air quality and health. By retrofitting DPFs, the PM emissions will be drastically reduced by up to 90%, aligning with environmental regulations and the state’s broader sustainability goals.
This retrofit initiative underscores our dedication to balancing cutting-edge technology with environmental stewardship. Together, we’re building a cleaner and greener future.
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The Oregon Broadband Office (OBO) has opened the Prequalification Phase of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Subgrantee Selection Process after the successful completion of the BEAD Challenge Phase, resulting in 123,873 locations in Oregon approved for funding.
The Prequalification Phase is used to establish the qualifications of prospective applicants and will be part of a fair and transparent process. This pivotal phase for those interested in applying for BEAD funding provides additional time for applicants to respond to OBO’s follow-up requests for data and have their responses and documentation analyzed to ensure they can meet the obligations of receiving BEAD funding.
The Prequalification Phase remains open until March 14, 2025, at 5 p.m. Visit the Subgrantee Selection Process webpage for additional information and documentation.
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 On Feb. 12, 2025, Chief Information Security Officer Ben Gherezgiher sent a memo that access to DeepSeek AI has been blocked from all state resources for the Executive Branch.
DeepSeek AI is a generative artificial intelligence platform that is designed for advanced natural language processing and content generation.
This decision is based on several critical security risks including extensive data collection, government access to stored data, and significant vulnerabilities that expose users to potential exploitation.
To protect state data and infrastructure, agencies must comply with the directive immediately. DeepSeek has also been added to the covered vendors list.
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 Enterprise Information Services (EIS) has been testifying to the Oregon State Legislature Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology. The committee meets on Friday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. during the 2025 Session.
State Chief Information Officer (CIO) Terrence Woods and the EIS Program Directors have provided an overview of EIS, the programs, the significant accomplishments for the 23-25 biennium, as well as the initiatives for the 25-27 biennium.
The presentation went on during the second week to include information from the Critical Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and remarks from Ben Gherezgiher, the State Chief Information Security Officer on cybersecurity risks and critical infrastructure before completing EIS's presentation.
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Direct File Oregon
Simple, Secure and always FREE.
The IRS estimates that 640,000 Oregon taxpayers will be among the 32 million US taxpayers who will be able to use the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon in 2025 to e-file both federal and state returns for free.
To find out if they qualify, taxpayers can use the IRS eligibility screener. Any Oregon resident taxpayer who is eligible to use IRS Direct File in 2025 and is not a first-time filer in Oregon will be able to seamlessly connect to Direct File Oregon to file their state income tax return.
Free filing assistance is available for Oregon taxpayers who need help filling out their tax returns. Taxpayers who need help can use the interactive map on Department of Revenue’s Get free help filing your taxes webpage.
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Data Governance & Transparency Hosts WorldOregon Kazakhstan Delegates
Қайырлы таң. Салемге қош келдіңіз, Орегон!
On Feb. 7, 2025, Data Governance and Transparency (DGT) hosted an event in collaboration with WorldOregon, welcoming a group of government officials from Kazakhstan.
The event, held at PG North, focused on Oregon's initiatives in technology, transparency, and accountability. Six delegates, accompanied by two interpreters and a representative from WorldOregon, participated in discussions led by DGT's Erik Brewster and Scott Fowler.
They covered key topics such as the role of technology, fiscal reporting, and resources that support transparent government operations for Oregonians. All attendees found the meeting to be interactive and productive. Following the discussions, the delegates were given a guided tour of the State Data Center.
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