Developing a Cloud Smart(er) Strategy

As agencies move ahead on bigger, bolder, more foundational cloud migration efforts, it’s critical for them to develop a comprehensive strategy. The right approach can help keep cloud migration projects on track, on budget and within scope. And it can help government leaders identify new opportunities for cloud solutions. In this conversation from the Center for Digital Government, we’ll look at the key elements of a smart strategy for migrating mainframe government operations to the cloud.

Our panel of public sector leaders will cover topics including:

The critical components of a comprehensive strategy for large-scale cloud migration
The biggest mistakes organizations tend to make – and how to avoid them
How a holistic strategy can help manage cloud costs and build trust with legislators and budget leaders

Speaker and Presenter Information

Rosa Akhtarkhavari, Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Chief Information Officer, City of Orlando, FL

Rosa Akhtarkhavari is Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer, a member of the City of Orlando executive management team overseeing technology, finance, and internal business services for the City.

Rosa is a visionary and result-oriented IT leader with over 30 years of experience in municipal government. She is experienced in organizational transformation, strategic planning and alignment, user experience, Information Security, Enterprise Architecture, GIS, development, contract negotiation, and implementation of leading-edge technology solutionsthat align technology plans with business requirements.

Brian Tardiff, Chief Digital Officer & Chief Information Officer, Rhode Island

Brian Tardiff serves as the Rhode Island Chief Digital Officer and Chief Information Officer. He is also currently serving in his previous role as Chief Information Security Officer as the search for a candidate continues. Prior to State service, Brian served 26 years in both the Active Army and Rhode Island Army National Guard, with diverse experience across all IT domains and leadership positions. Some of his military career highlights include developing a cybersecurity strategy for the Royal Bahamian Defense Force, National level cybersecurity exercise evaluator for the National Security Agency, (2) deployments to Baghdad, Iraq; where he was responsible for country wide top secret communications network architecture, deployment and support; and as a Cyber Defense Officer, successfully responding to a State ransomware incident in 2017, which introduced him to the State Division of IT, resulting in his hire in 2018. Since joining as DoIT’s Information Security officer, Brian was promoted to Chief Information Security Officer, defining, and executing on a state cybersecurity strategy that has resulted in a measured 20% reduction in cyber risk Statewide. Brian has also served as IT Chief of Staff and Chief of Infrastructure and Operations, leading IT improvements, modernizations, and operational support during the pandemic and beyond.

Bill Rials, Ph.D. — Moderator, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

William (Bill) Rials, Ph.D., is a professor and associate director (department chair) of the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement IT and Cybersecurity Program, where he focuses on continually delivering and updating the program curriculum based on innovative and emerging technologies. Before transitioning to academia and higher education, he had a diverse gov tech career delivering value to state agencies, local governments, and law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Mississippi. He has served in CIO, CTO, and CISO roles for local governments and also in various leadership positions within the state of Mississippi’s IT organization as a deputy to the state CIO.