IT'S a Tech Podcast

NYS Office of Information Technology Services
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Technology

The “IT’S a Tech Podcast” is an engaging conversation about the game-changing technology solutions being advanced by the state’s Office of Information Technology Services. Learn how we make IT happen for more than 50 state agencies and over 20 million New Yorkers.

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 18: ITS at the Emergency Operations Center

    The summer of 2026 so far has been busy, if not hectic, for New York. America’s 250th birthday. Record-breaking heat waves. Visitors from around the world joining Americans to watch the World Cup games. A certain pop star taking over Madison Square Garden for their nuptials. Behind the scenes, there is a team of talented, vigilant professionals making sure that amidst all the hubbub and chaos, New Yorkers stay secure. During emergencies and large-scale statewide events, the New York State Emergency Operations Center is activated, and this summer it was activated for 41 consecutive days. This coordinated effort of multiple state agencies is overseen and operated by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (often referred to as “DISHES”). When activated, the EOC provides centralized communication support, which allows disaster preparedness, or DPC, agencies to coordinate and share information quickly, keeping all teams prepared in case of an emergency so the people who need to respond can do so quickly and effectively. ITS is on site to provide IT support not only in response to possible incidents but also to support the efforts of the EOC itself – a coordinated response relies heavily on reliable technical capabilities.  On this episode, Scott Kislowski, Director of Operations & Emergency Management, and Mitch Dolan, Agency Emergency Management Coordinator, share tales from the recent EOC activation, including how ITS works 24/7 to help keep New Yorkers safe. Thank you for listening to the IT’S a Tech Podcast. For more information about ITS, visit our website at its.ny.gov. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

  2. Jun 18

    Episode 17: CX and Cybersecurity

    Cybersecurity is important. Staying safe online and keeping records safe is crucial in a day and age where bad actors are pulling out every stop to gain access to your information. ITS is proud to make New York a national leader in cybersecurity – through the NYSOC, or the New York Security Operations Center, ITS is safeguarding more than 450,000 endpoints and billions of sensitive records. But what happens when security comes into conflict with customer experience? How do you balance keeping data secure while making it accessible to the user? How many layers of verification is too many, and how much risk is acceptable? In part three of the IT'S a Tech Podcast multi-part series on customer experience, or CX, we’re sitting down with ITS Director of Cyber Defense and Response Brian Koon as we navigate the friction between keeping systems user friendly while keeping them safe. Thank you for listening to the IT’S a Tech Podcast. For more information about ITS, visit our website at its.ny.gov. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

  3. Jun 9

    IT'S a Tech Podcast Firewall Chat: Beekeeper Program, featuring Michele Jones, DCT

    Summer is on the horizon, warm weather has finally arrived, and our listeners have probably already seen a bee or two in their gardens. Honeybees are crucial not only to the environment but also to the New York State economy.  On this episode, Michele Jones, Deputy Commissioner for Technology, talks about the launch of the Honeybee Program and Beekeeper Registration for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. She’ll share why it’s crucial for protecting bees and apiaries, as well as keeping bee colonies healthy and thriving. Thank you for listening to the IT’S a Tech Podcast. For more information about ITS, visit our website at its.ny.gov. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

  4. May 21

    Episode 16: Accessibility for All

    In part two of our multi-part series on customer experience, we’re focusing on accessibility, especially when it comes to online services.  This coming May 21 is the 15th anniversary of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the perfect time to discuss this crucial topic. You’ve heard us discuss accessibility on this show before, in our discussions with the Human-Centered Design Team and the NYS Chief Customer Experience Officer. But for someone who can’t see, what is the experience when accessing government services online? We say, “accessibility is for everyone,” but what does that really mean? How does that affect the average New Yorker living their daily life? What does “a eleven y” stand for?  On this episode, we sit down with Ethan Ligon and Michele Bruno of the Human-Centered Design team as they explain how building accessibility into online resources makes the customer experience better for everyone. Thank you for listening to the IT’S a Tech Podcast. For more information about ITS, visit our website at its.ny.gov. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

  5. Apr 23

    Episode 15: Customer Experience in NYS

    Increased efficiency. Shorter wait times. Clearer guidelines. Better online experiences. Enhanced equity. Getting New Yorkers what they need from their state government agencies as smoothly as possible. These are the key motivations behind Governor Hochul’s customer experience initiative, which she announced as part of her 2023 State of the State address. As part of this initiative, the governor appointed Tonya Webster as New York’s first-ever Chief Customer Experience Officer. In this role, Tonya is charged with reimaging how New Yorkers interact with government, ensuring that essential services are designed around the lives of our customers, rather than the complexity of bureaucracy.  On this episode, the first of a multi-part miniseries on customer experience, we are fortunate to sit down with Tonya to discuss how to reduce friction when accessing government services, as well as how ITS is poised to help her Office drive the customer experience revolution in New York. Thank you for listening to the IT’S a Tech Podcast. For more information about ITS, visit our website at its.ny.gov. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

  6. Apr 7

    IT'S a Tech Podcast Firewall Chat: DMV DRIVES, featuring Andrea Rohan, DCT

    Welcome to the first IT’S a Tech Podcast firewall chat! This shortform series will allow us to focus on specific people, projects and progress that are moving technology forward for New York State government. On today’s episode, Andrea Rohan, the Deputy Commissioner for Technology for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, talks about the recent launch of the DRIVES application, including how this change will make the DMV experience even better for all New Yorkers. Thank you for listening to the IT’S a Tech Podcast. For more information about ITS, visit our website at its.ny.gov. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

    IT'S a Tech Podcast Firewall Chat: DMV DRIVES, featuring Andrea Rohan, DCT

  7. Mar 19

    Episode 14: Doing Business with ITS

    Procurement. It’s a word that is often mentioned in relation to state government. We’ve referred to it more than once on this very podcast.  Governor Kathy Hochul has talked about improving customer service and cultivating efficiency in government, including improving State procurement. The New York State Office of General Services works closely with the governor, the legislature, and the Division of the Budget to outline guidelines that determine state agency procurement procedures. But what does “procurement” really mean? How does it affect how government agencies deliver crucial services to the people that need them? Why does it work the way it works, and how can it be better? On this episode, David Burmaster, ITS Director of Procurement Services, talks about how this essential government function affects our agency’s mission and vision, including some best practices for doing business with ITS. Thank you for listening to the IT’S a Tech Podcast. For more information about ITS, visit our website at its.ny.gov. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

  8. Feb 19

    Episode 13: AI in New York State

    Over the past few years, generative artificial intelligence, or AI, has been incorporated into a variety of programs and tools, inspiring some to ask what tasks could be streamlined and improved through the use of this technology. In 2024, Governor Hochul included AI in her State of the State address, announcing the Empire AI initiative and a new policy, authored by ITS, to govern the safe and responsible use of AI to benefit all New Yorkers. Over the past few years, as this technology has evolved, ITS has been working behind the scenes, preparing to implement AI where it makes sense, streamlining processes, making tasks easier for the talented New York State workforce and making government services more accessible for the people who need them. On today’s episode, New York State’s new Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Dr. Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, will give our listeners a general overview of what is in store for the future of New York State as the scope and capabilities of AI continue to evolve. Thank you for listening to the IT’S a Tech Podcast. For more information about ITS, visit our website at its.ny.gov. Follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

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About

The “IT’S a Tech Podcast” is an engaging conversation about the game-changing technology solutions being advanced by the state’s Office of Information Technology Services. Learn how we make IT happen for more than 50 state agencies and over 20 million New Yorkers.

Information

  • Creator
    NYS Office of Information Technology Services
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 IT'S a Tech Podcast
  • Show Website
    IT'S a Tech Podcast