NASCIO Looks at Geospatial Data Issues

The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has published a new issue brief that "deals with the growing demand for GIS in every aspect of government decision making," according to the NASCIO news release.

The brief -- "Where’s the Data? Show Me" - Maximizing the Investment in State Geospatial Resources -- is available from the NASCIO web site. It was developed with assistance from a diverse group of experts, including several NSGIC members and partners.

The brief notes the nine coordination criteria developed by NSGIC as part of the Fifty States Initiative and suggests seven additional important issues, from the CIO perspective (paraphrased):

1. Add a geospatial domain to a state's enterprise architecture.
2. Develop enterprise data and process standards.
3. Deal with privacy and security issues at the state policy level.
4. Ensure continuity and disaster recovery of geospatial data resources.
5. Make geospatial data use a normal part of state service.
6. Take advantage of enterprise level contracting and pricing.
7. Recruit, train and develop a geospatially aware and enabled workforce.
   

The brief further suggests a series of calls to action for state CIOs to help govern geospatial data and tools as a part of a state's knowledge asset management and enterprise architecture.