DeKalb Department of Innovation & Technology ranked No. 2 in nation for third consecutive year

DECATUR, GA—For the third consecutive year, DeKalb County Government has won national recognition as a top national leader leader in the innovative use of technology, including its work enhancing the county’s cyber security. 

The Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties (NACo) ranked DeKalb County second in the nation among counties with a population of 500,000 to 999,999 in the 19th annual Digital Counties Survey. Out of the 88 counties in this category, only three were from Georgia, including Gwinnett and Cobb that ranked seventh and ninth, respectively.   

Since 2017, DeKalb County has been recognized annually in the top 10 counties nationally. 

“On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and the citizens of DeKalb County, congratulations to the Department of Innovation and Technology, under the leadership of John Matelski, for improving services and protecting the county from cyber threats year after year,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “This award is for a job well-done.”  

Over the past year, DeKalb County has enhanced its technology services in several ways, including: 

• Established a 24-hour cybersecurity operations center and expanded its cloud-first strategy for most departments and rolled out multifactor authentication requirements for all employees.
  

• Improved fleet management capabilities with a cloud-based system that supports vehicle maintenance for emergency vehicles and garbage trucks, police surveillance functions, and E-911 technology upgrades.
• Began shifting from mobile apps to website chatbots and more “portal of portal” functions that make it easier for constituents to pay bills, apply for permits or obtain court documents online

The list of recognized counties in the 500,000-999,999-population category included:

1st Prince George’s County, MD
2nd DeKalb County, GA
2nd Jefferson County, CO
3rd New Castle County, DE
3rd San Joaquin County, CA
4th County of Chester, PA
5th Snohomish County, WA
6th County of Ventura, CA
7th Gwinnett County, GA
8th Polk County, FL
9th Cobb County, GA
10th County of San Mateo, CA