Concourse

South Carolina

IT Status Report & Strategic Plan

February 23, 2026 · Version 2.0

Executive Summary

Governor

Henry McMaster (R)

CIO

Nathan Hogue

CISO

Ben Willis

IT Organization

Department of Administration -- Division of Technology Operations (DTO)

State Agencies

103

Population

5.4M

✓ Key Strengths

  • Proactive AI strategy with 'Bradley' AI-powered virtual assistant for citizen services and establishment of a state AI Center of Excellence combining government, academic, and private sector expertise
  • Strong cybersecurity investment with new South Carolina Center of Cybersecurity announced by Governor McMaster, backed by South Carolina Research Authority study and multi-year strategic plan
  • Near-complete broadband deployment -- reduced unserved locations from 300,000 (2021) to approximately 29,000 (2025) with $400M ARPA investment delivering fiber to 99% of connected areas
  • Centralized IT governance through Department of Administration providing statewide IT strategies, security policies, and cloud computing frameworks across 103 agencies

⚠ Key Risks

  • Post-breach institutional memory: South Carolina's 2012 Department of Revenue breach (3.8M tax records exposed) remains a defining event -- while it drove security investment, organizational knowledge of lessons learned may be fading as staff turns over
  • BEAD allocation of $551.5M is vastly oversized relative to remaining need ($41.4M for 20,480 locations) -- lack of clarity on how remaining $510M will be deployed creates planning uncertainty
  • Workforce gap of approximately 6,000 cybersecurity professionals identified by SCRA study threatens the state's ability to staff its new cybersecurity center and protect expanding digital services
  • DOJ WCAG 2.1 AA website accessibility compliance deadline of April 24, 2026 approaching with no published statewide audit results across 103 agency web properties

Capability Areas

Capability Radar

Cybersecurity & …AI & AutomationDigital Governme…Data Management …Workforce Develo…Cloud ServicesBroadband & Conn…IT Procurement &…Interoperability…Legacy Moderniza…
South Carolina

Current IT Projects

ProjectStatusDescriptionTimeline
Bradley AI Virtual AssistantIn DevelopmentAI-powered virtual assistant for citizen services including notary applications, tax payments, and government service navigation. Part of broader AI Center of Excellence initiative.2025-2026
South Carolina Center of CybersecurityLaunchingStatewide cybersecurity hub established through SCRA to implement multi-year cyber strategic plan, strengthen protections for local governments, businesses, and schools, and address 6,000-worker cybersecurity gap.2025-2027
BEAD Broadband Last-Mile DeploymentPending Federal Approval$41.4M BEAD deployment to 16 ISPs serving 20,480 remaining unserved locations. Mix of wireline (51.3%) and LEO satellite (48.7%). Construction expected early 2026 pending NTIA approval.2026-2030
AI Center of ExcellenceActiveCross-sector initiative bringing together government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector partners to evaluate and implement AI proposals for state government.2025-ongoing
Statewide Digital Accessibility ComplianceIn ProgressWorking toward WCAG 2.1 AA compliance across state web properties ahead of DOJ April 24, 2026 deadline. Accessibility measures being incorporated into ongoing digital services.2025-2026

100-Day Strategic Plan

Quick-win initiatives for immediate impact

200-Day Strategic Plan

Strategic initiatives for sustained transformation

Sources

  1. GovTech: South Carolina AI, Cyber Initiatives Reshape Services (accessed 2026-02-23)
  2. South Carolina Department of Administration Leadership (accessed 2026-02-23)
  3. SC Department of Administration Governance and Resources (accessed 2026-02-23)
  4. Spectrum News: S.C. to Strengthen Cybersecurity Efforts with New Center (accessed 2026-02-23)
  5. WRDW: South Carolina Unveils Plans to Launch Its Own Cybersecurity Hub (accessed 2026-02-23)
  6. SC Broadband Office: Broadband Investment Nears Completion (accessed 2026-02-23)
  7. SC Broadband Office: BEAD Program Overview (accessed 2026-02-23)
  8. Broadband Breakfast: Does South Carolina Need a Dime from the BEAD Program? (accessed 2026-02-23)
  9. SC.gov Official State Portal (accessed 2026-02-23)
  10. SC State Employees by Agency (February 2026) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  11. NASCIO 2025 State CIO Survey (accessed 2026-02-23)
  12. NASCIO 2026 CIO Priorities (accessed 2026-02-23)
  13. SCITDA: South Carolina IT Director's Association (accessed 2026-02-23)
  14. The State: McMaster's Final Budget Proposal for State Employees (accessed 2026-02-23)
  15. DOJ Title II Web Accessibility Rule -- WCAG 2.1 AA (April 24, 2026 deadline) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  16. NTIA BEAD Public Resources and State Plans (accessed 2026-02-23)