DeKalb Innovation, Tech Department Ranked 2nd In Nation

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — DeKalb County won national recognition as a leader in the innovative use of technology for the fifth consecutive year, including its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.

The Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACo) ranked DeKalb second in the nation among counties with a population between 500,000 and 999,999 in the 19th annual Digital Counties Survey, the release said. Of the 88 counties in this category, three were from Georgia: DeKalb, Gwinnett and Cobb counties. Gwinnett ranked No. 8 and Cobb ranked No. 10.

DeKalb County has been recognized in the top 10 counties nationally in this category each year since 2017.

“The DeKalb County Department of Innovation and Technology, under the leadership of John Matelski, is the unsung hero in our fight against this terrible virus,” DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said.

Over the last year, DeKalb County has enhanced its technology services in the following ways, according to the release:

• Expanded and enhanced cybersecurity systems to protect county systems and
  data, including establishing a 24/7 virtual security operations center and expanding the cyber security education program.
• Digitally transformed citizen and constituent engagement channels, increasing participation and transparency.
• Coordinated with the Board of Health and provided them with real-time language translation devices to help facilitate health related services in more than 400 languages.
• Enabled and supported important governmental services to ensure continued and expanded delivery of services including courts, public safety, community services, youth services and health.

“On behalf of the 4,000 members of the National Association of Counties, I am proud that DeKalb County’s Innovation and Technology Department has been recognized on a national level for its response to the COVID-19 crisis,” NACo President and DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson said.

The list of recognized counties in the 500,000-999,999 population category are as follows:

1. Prince George's County, Maryland
2. DeKalb County, Georgia
3. Snohomish County, Washington
4. San Joaquin County, California
5. County of San Mateo, California
6. County of Sonoma, California
7. New Castle County, Delaware
8. Gwinnett County, Georgia
9. Polk County, Florida
10. Cobb County, Georgia