Latest news with #DoIT
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Health dept, DoIT to launch mobile app for tracking garbage sites, curb mosquito breeding
Jaipur: To combat the growing threat of mosquito-borne diseases during monsoon, the state health department has joined hands with the department of information technology (DoIT) to develop a mobile application that will help identify and ensure the timely removal of garbage dumps—major breeding grounds for mosquitoes—in urban areas. Stagnant garbage and decaying waste lining roadsides are a common sight in parts of Jaipur and other regions of the state. These unhygienic conditions become prime breeding sites for mosquitoes, contributing to the annual spike in cases of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya during and after the monsoon. Concerned about the rising health risk, the Health Department has rolled out a strategy focused on curbing the source. The upcoming mobile app will allow health teams to geotag, photograph, and report garbage piles in real time. The images and data will be sent directly to municipal authorities, who will be mandated to clear the waste within a defined time frame. "DoIT is developing the application, and our health teams will soon be equipped with it," said a senior health official. While the health department continues efforts like awareness drives, using gambusia fish in ponds, and controlling breeding in rural areas, officials have clarified that garbage collection is outside their purview and lies solely with urban local bodies. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo "We regularly inform municipal bodies about disease outbreaks and request fogging and sanitation in vulnerable areas," said the official. The health department said that hospitals witness a sharp increase in seasonal disease cases during the monsoon, both in outpatient and inpatient wards. With the new app-based intervention, the department hopes to build a responsive system where waste is promptly cleared, reducing mosquito habitats and preventing outbreaks. Officials emphasised that coordinated action by individuals, civic bodies, and the health department is key to tackling monsoon-related health challenges.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Information Technology Department taps new chief information security officer
State officials, in announcing the appointment of James Saunders to be the next chief information security officer for the Maryland Department of Information Technology, said cybersecurity is "more important than ever" in the face of evolving threats. (Photo by) The Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) named a former U.S. Office of Personnel Management information officer Monday as its next chief information security officer. The department said James Saunders started in an acting capacity on Monday. In a statement announcing the appointment, the department said Saunders will lead DoIT's Office of Security Management, which is responsible for securing the state's IT systems, infrastructure and private data. Administration officials called Saunders 'a highly sought-after candidate,' who brings more than '15 years of cybersecurity leadership experience across the federal government and private sector.' 'I'm a big believer in partnership,' Saunders said in the anouncement. 'Whether they are part of my security team or not, I will work hand in hand with those across the State of Maryland to ensure we keep our people and our assets safe, together.' The department said Saunders served as CISO and deputy chief information officer at OPM, where he helped implement 'zero-trust programs and drove a cultural transformation within the agency's security team to enhance inter-agency collaboration.' He also served as CISO for the U.S. Small Business Administration when it was called on to develop secure systems to distribute nearly $700 billion in funds to businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'As public and private organizations face new threats like agentic AI, strong cybersecurity is more important than ever,' said DoIT Secretary Katie Savage. 'James Saunders is an experienced cybersecurity expert who has helped secure some of our nation's most important systems. We are thrilled he is bringing his expertise and leadership to the State of Maryland.' Saunders is the latest federal official to shift into high-ranking state job, as the new administration in Washington brings uncertainty about the future of the federal workforce. He follows the appointments of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker Jr., who previously worked as White House cyber security director; Health Secretary Meena Seshamani, the former administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and former Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz, who is now deputy secretary for external relations at the Department of the Environment. Saunders will serve in an acting capacity until he is formally appointed by the governor and his appointment is approved by the Senate. Gov. Wes Moore called the appointment 'a big deal,' since it is coming at a time 'when Maryland is choosing to bet big on the cybersecurity industry.' He said in the department's statement that with Saunders, 'we will continue to ensure our people are protected, our state is secure, and Maryland sets the standard for leadership in cyber.'
