Concourse

Connecticut

IT Status Report & Strategic Plan

February 23, 2026 · Version 2.0

Executive Summary

Governor

Ned Lamont (D)

CIO

Mark Raymond

CISO

Gene Meltser

IT Organization

Bureau of Information Technology Solutions (BITS), Department of Administrative Services (DAS)

State Agencies

62

Population

3.7M

✓ Key Strengths

  • Long-tenured CIO Mark Raymond (since 2011) provides exceptional continuity and institutional knowledge, earning induction into UConn's 2025 Academy of Distinguished Engineers and national recognition as a NASCIO cybersecurity advocate
  • Whole-of-state cybersecurity approach with dedicated CISO Gene Meltser (appointed August 2024), Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC), and proactive advocacy for federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program reauthorization
  • Governor Lamont's $100M+ capital investment in quantum computing and AI through the $50M AI/Q Fund at Connecticut Innovations and $121M QuantumCT initiative positions Connecticut as a national leader in frontier technology
  • CT.gov digital government transformation achieving 99.6% broadband coverage statewide with $144M BEAD allocation approved November 2025 to close remaining gaps across approximately 1,800 unserved locations

⚠ Key Risks

  • Small state IT organization supporting 62 agencies creates resource constraints -- BITS must balance enterprise shared services, cybersecurity, and modernization with limited staff and budget compared to larger states
  • Federal cybersecurity grant program expiration (September 2025) threatens critical funding for local government cybersecurity support, which CIO Raymond has identified as essential for protecting municipalities that lack independent resources
  • AI regulatory framework still in legislative development (SB 1249 proposing AI regulatory sandbox and Open Data Portal expansion) with no enacted comprehensive state AI governance law as of early 2026
  • State employee compensation pressures with 33% salary increases since 2019 ($370M+ in FY2026-27 budget) straining fiscal resources that could otherwise fund technology modernization initiatives

Capability Areas

Capability Radar

Cybersecurity & …AI & AutomationDigital Governme…Data Management …Workforce & TalentCloud ServicesBroadband & Conn…IT Procurement &…Interoperability…Legacy Moderniza…
Connecticut

Current IT Projects

ProjectStatusDescriptionTimeline
BEAD Broadband Expansion ProgramApproved$144M federal broadband program to connect approximately 1,800 unserved locations including 724 homes/businesses and 1,100 Community Anchor Institutions. Managed by DEEP with ISP participation through ConneCTed Communities framework.2025-2028
CT.gov Digital Government ModernizationIn ProgressOngoing transformation of CT.gov portal and state digital services to accelerate online government access, improve citizen experience, and expand self-service capabilities across state agencies.2025-2027
QuantumCT and AI/Q Fund InitiativeActive$121M QuantumCT investment and $50M AI/Q Fund through Connecticut Innovations to establish Connecticut as a national hub for quantum computing and AI, with investments in frontier technology companies and research infrastructure.2025-2030
Whole-of-State Cybersecurity EnhancementIn ProgressComprehensive cybersecurity improvement program under CISO Gene Meltser implementing whole-of-state approach including threat intelligence via CTIC, municipal cybersecurity support, and advocacy for federal grant program continuation.2024-2026
AI Regulatory Sandbox and Open Data ExpansionProposedSB 1249 initiative to create AI regulatory sandbox attracting development in insurance, finance, and healthcare sectors, expand Open Data Portal with AI-ready datasets, and establish DECD AI coordination positions.2026-2028
Tech Talent Accelerator ProgramActiveWorkforce development initiative funding university AI training programs, skills-based hiring reform, and technology workforce pipeline development to address growing demand for tech talent across state government and private sector.2025-2027

100-Day Strategic Plan

Quick-win initiatives for immediate impact

200-Day Strategic Plan

Strategic initiatives for sustained transformation

Sources

  1. Connecticut Bureau of Information Technology Solutions (BITS) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  2. State of Connecticut IT Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 2026 (accessed 2026-02-23)
  3. GovTech: Connecticut's New CISO Gene Meltser Aims to Reduce Risk (accessed 2026-02-23)
  4. UConn Today: Building Curiosity -- Mark Raymond, CIO, State of Connecticut (accessed 2026-02-23)
  5. StateScoop: CIOs Urge Congress to Reauthorize State and Local Cyber Grant Program (accessed 2026-02-23)
  6. Governor Lamont Announces Federal Approval of Connecticut's BEAD Proposal (accessed 2026-02-23)
  7. CT Mirror: CT Got $144M for Broadband -- Federal Changes Could Affect Rollout (accessed 2026-02-23)
  8. DEEP Releases BEAD Program Final Proposal for Public Comment (accessed 2026-02-23)
  9. Connecticut Innovations AI/Q Fund (accessed 2026-02-23)
  10. CBIA: State Pledges $121M QuantumCT Investment (accessed 2026-02-23)
  11. QuantumCT: Governor Lamont Proposes Over $100M in Capital Investments (accessed 2026-02-23)
  12. Hartford Business Journal: Lamont Proposes New AI Venture Fund (SB 1249) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  13. Connecticut Open Data Portal (accessed 2026-02-23)
  14. NASCIO 2025: State Leaders Approach Critical Cybersecurity Challenges (accessed 2026-02-23)
  15. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Connecticut (Population Estimate July 2025) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  16. Trading Economics: State Government Employees in Connecticut (accessed 2026-02-23)