Governor Signs Bill to Create AI Cybersecurity Collaboration Playbook
Governor Newsom has signed AB 979 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), which requires the California Cybersecurity Integration Center to create a statewide AI Cybersecurity Collaboration Playbook to help agencies share cybersecurity threats and protect against attacks. The bill also calls for mandated reporting of threats by state AI contractors while ensuring confidentiality protections.
Legislature Sends AI Cybersecurity Playbook Bill to Governor
The California Legislature has passed a bill that would create a statewide AI Cybersecurity Collaboration Playbook aimed at helping agencies share cybersecurity threats to protect against attacks. AB 979 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) would require the California Cybersecurity Integration Center to create the playbook, mandating reporting of threats by state AI contractors while ensuring confidentiality protections. The bill now awaits the governor’s action.
Eva Robinson Appointed AIO of CalVet
Eva Robinson has joined the California Department of Veterans Affairs as its new Agency Information Officer (AIO), the department has confirmed. Previously, she served as the Project Controller for the $1.2 billion EDDNext modernization project, where she managed project governance, budgeting, contracts, and financial oversight while providing strategic guidance to stakeholders on fiscal matters and expenditures.
Legislative Update
With the September 12 deadline looming for bills to pass out of both chambers, several high-profile technology-related measures have been sidelined for the year, including multiple bills aimed at regulating data privacy and artificial intelligence. Others are moving forward. See a list of selected bills tracked by TechCA here.
Ohanian Named Policy Advisor for Data Exchange at DHCS
John Ohanian has been appointed Policy Advisor for Data Exchange at the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Gov. Newsom’s office announced on Tuesday.
AI Regulation Bills Advance
As June 6 marked the deadline for bills to pass out of their house of origin, lawmakers are continuing to advance legislation aimed at regulating artificial intelligence and automated decision systems. Here’s an update on selected bills.
Assembly Advances Zero Trust Cybersecurity Bill
Assembly Bill 869, authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), passed the Assembly Floor on Monday (6/2/25) without opposition and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. The legislation would require state agencies to adopt Zero Trust architecture across all data, hardware, software, internal systems, and essential third-party software.
Lightning Talk: Sanjib Nayak – From Complex and Chaos to Simplicity and Cohesion
In this session, Sanjib Nayak, CEO of xAQUA, introduces the Smart Data Strategy—an AI-powered, no-code platform that empowers public sector teams to turn raw data into actionable insights. He discusses how semantic and augmented intelligence are transforming how data is accessed, analyzed, and shared, including real-world examples of how the strategy is delivering results.
CDT Product Lead Outlines California’s Digital Identity Initiative
Anirban Sen, Senior Product Manager at the California Department of Technology, outlined the state’s Digital Identity Initiative, which enables residents to verify eligibility for services securely and instantly. The state platform uses identity providers like login.gov, minimizes data collection, and deletes information after use. In 2024, it scaled to over 4,000 verifications per second and integrated with other systems, such as CalFresh, Medicare, and Sacramento Regional Transit. He presented at the Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2025.
Panel Discussion: Leadership and Collaboration: Advancing California’s Technology Governance
At last year's Forum on Emerging Technologies, Agency Information Officers Ron Robinette (Government Operations Agency), Brian Wong (Labor and Workforce Development Agency), Adam Dondro (California Health and Human Services Agency), and Marcie Kahbody (State Transportation Agency) engaged in a discussion on governance and innovation across state agencies, moderated by State Chief Information Officer and CDT Director Liana Bailey-Crimmins.
Lightning Talk: Transforming California’s Project Approval with Speed, Precision, and Innovation
Ben Hafer, President & Founder, The Digital Services Group, Former Director of Technology, CWDS and Carl Engel, CEO, Elyon Strategies – Transforming California’s Project Approval with Speed, Precision, and Innovation, presented at the TechCA Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2024.
Lightning Talk: ODI Deputy Director Kim Hicks on Data Accelerators
Kim Hicks, California Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) Deputy Director for Advanced Analytics & Evaluation, spoke about unlocking state departments’ potential with data accelerators at the TechCA Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2024.
Anthony Harvey – Answering your 4 biggest questions about generative AI security
Anthony Harvey, Sr. Security Specialist Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services – Answering your 4 biggest questions about generative AI security. Presented at the TechCA Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2024. Watch the 10-minute lightning talk.
Lightning Talk: Deputy State CTO Chaeney Emanavin on Service Design
At the Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2024, Chaeney Emanavin, deputy state chief technology officer at the California Department of Technology, talked about human-centered design as the key to innovation.
Harnessing the Next AI Wave: Copilots and Agents for Transforming Government Operations
Nick Curia, VP of Technology Strategy and Architecture at Launch Consulting, explores how AI copilots and intelligent agents are transforming government operations. Presented at the TechCA Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2024.
Lightning Talk: Covered California Deputy CIO David Krause on Health Benefits System Overhaul
David Krause, Deputy CIO of Covered California, detailed the state’s overhaul of its health benefits system, CalHEERS, at the TechCA Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2024. Facing performance issues and a cybersecurity crisis, the agency moved to AWS cloud, adopting microservices and AI-driven monitoring. The modernization cut processing times, eliminated system throttling, and enabled new consumer-focused innovations like real-time A/B testing and AI-powered customer support. Krause talked about the project’s impact on improving access to healthcare while maintaining system resilience. Watch the lightning talk below:
Lightning Talk: Solutions Architect on Data Quality, GenAI
Amanda Baker, Specialist Solutions Architect for Databricks, talked about how large language models and generative AI applications are particularly valuable for organizations seeking to leverage their unique data assets in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Baker spoke at the Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2024.
Panel Discussion: Opportunities and Challenges in Data Governance
Featuring Mary Ann Bates, Executive Director, California Cradle-to-Career Data System, Jason Lally, State Chief Data Officer, California Office of Data and Innovation, Katie Regan, State Data Services Manager, California Department of Technology and Agnieszka Rykaczewska, Deputy Director, Insights Lab at CalHHS Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII), the panel explored the evolving role of the chief data officer as state programs increasingly rely on enterprise data to enhance digital services while safeguarding privacy and navigating complex data-sharing regulations. The 45-minute discussion was moderated by Michael Wilkening, former Special Advisor on Innovation and Digital Services to Governor Gavin Newsom, presented at the Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2024.
Lightning Talk: Government Digital Transformation Success Story – Department of Managed Health Care CIO Ralph Cesena
Watch Cesena's talk about how the California Department of Technology’s Technology Modernization Fund (TMF), and cutting-edge low-code custom software development technology, improved user experience and scheduling efficiencies. Presented at the TechCA Forum on Emerging Technologies on December 5, 2024.
State Launches Innovation Challenge for LA Wildfire Recovery
California state officials are calling on technology vendors to propose innovative solutions to aid survivors of the recent Los Angeles wildfires. The California Department of Technology (CDT), Department of General Services (DGS) and Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) hosted a Vendor Forum on Wednesday, February 19, to launch the effort to "break out of the status quo and find better solutions" while aiming for an expedited response to speed recovery.
