Next Generation Security Program

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Part of the Washington metropolitan area, which includes the District of Columbia and parts of Virginia and Maryland, Fairfax County is a dynamic and growing region where constituents are generally technically savvy. In this environment, the use of technology tools is critical for effectively communicating with the constituent base on programs, plans, events, and service offerings. Given the popularity and immediacy of social media, constituents have come to expect instant access to information pertaining to public safety, weather, public health, social programs and/or anything designed to improve their quality of life. While Fairfax County understands and values the positive community building aspects associated with allowing access to social media for legitimate business purposes, it also understands the potential risks inherent in such access. In response to this changing environment, the Department of Information Security and the Network Systems teams implemented the Next Generation Security Program, a new solution that safely provides County agencies and employees with access to social media outlets for immediate dissemination of information to citizens while guarding against the vulnerabilities and attack vectors inherent in today’s social media.