Allen is making its debut on the list of Digital Cities Survey winners, following investments to improve residents’ lives and make government more secure and efficient.
The Center for Digital Government (CDG) ranked the city seventh in its annual list. Judges applauded Allen’s open government page, which allows citizens to search documents such as the city budget and current health scores. Residents can also use online forms to make public records requests and report issues.
“This year’s leading digital cities are leveraging technology to connect disadvantaged citizens with critical information and services, promote citizen inclusion in important government processes and share government data with the public,” said Teri Takai, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. “Thanks to the efforts of these innovative cities, citizens can now meaningfully interact with city government more easily than in any other time in history.”
In 2017 Allen strengthened its cybersecurity approach by instituting awareness training for employees, as well as launching Tableau-based software to make credit card transactions more secure.
The city also deployed a mobile device policy for employees to make government work more accessible and deployed a microwave network across the city that officers increased connectivity across all city facilities.
“We’re honored to be nationally recognized for the work the entire organization has done to create more productive efficient and secure systems,” said Eric Matthews, Director of Information Technology. “Whether it’s mobile access, open government, citizen engagement or 911 software, Allen recognizes that its technology is a key part of effective service delivery for our citizens.”
Now in its seventeenth year, the Digital Cities Survey recognizes cities using technology to improve citizen services, enhance transparency and encourage citizen engagement. Top 10 ranked cities will be honored at an awards ceremony during the National League of Cities’ annual conference on Nov. 16.