Millions wasted: Why Florida’s info tech projects keep failing [Tampa Bay Times]
TALLAHASSEE When it became clear this month that multiple state agencies shared a single password for their emergency messaging systems and that the password was posted online some observers were not surprised.
It was just the latest in a series of high-profile information technology failures to roil the Sunshine State.
For more than two decades, Florida has struggled when it comes to information technology. Officials have created, abolished, and recreated a state technology office at least three times. Many of the state’s biggest projects have been marred by scandal and incompetence and cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Hereâs why Floridaâs information technology projects keep failing
âWeâre still doing things the way it was done 20, 30 years ago,â one of the stateâs former tech officers said.
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Gov. Jeb Bush signing the Information Technology bill at the headquarters of Fusive.com in Deerfield Beach, Fla., Friday, May 26, 2000. Attending the signing from left are Roy Cales, Julia Johnson, Sen. Mario Diaz-Balart, Sen. Ron Klein, Rep. Luis Rojas and the daughters of the president of Fusive.com Ali-6, and Paige, 8, Finklestein. [ GARY I. ROTHSTEIN | Associated Press ]
Updated Dec. 22, 2020
TALLAHASSEE â When it became clear this month that multiple state agencies shared a single password for their emergency messaging systems â and that the password was posted online â some observers were not surprised.