Concourse

Vermont

IT Status Report & Strategic Plan

February 23, 2026 · Version 2.0

Executive Summary

Governor

Phil Scott (R)

CIO

Denise Reilly-Hughes

CISO

David Kaiser (Acting)

IT Organization

Agency of Digital Services (ADS)

State Agencies

50

Population

648K

✓ Key Strengths

  • Agency of Digital Services (ADS) established in 2017 as a centralized IT authority with six divisions -- Security, Enterprise Architecture, Data Management, Finance, Enterprise Project Management, and Artificial Intelligence -- providing comprehensive governance across state government
  • Vermont AI Council (Act 132, 2022) and dedicated Division of Artificial Intelligence with Director Miles Latham maintaining inventory of 37 AI systems, 'off by default' policy, human-in-the-loop requirements, and Code of Ethics -- one of the most structured state AI governance frameworks nationally
  • Network Modernization Initiative deploying SD-WAN across 320+ state sites to replace aging infrastructure, improving application performance, resiliency, and cost-effectiveness with completion targeted by end of 2025
  • Cybersecurity Advisory Council established via Act 71 (2023) chaired by the CIO with cross-sector membership from IT, public safety, and utilities, developing statewide cybersecurity strategic plans and critical infrastructure protection standards

⚠ Key Risks

  • Chief Technology and Enterprise Services Officer Mark Combs retiring after serving as inaugural CTESO -- leadership transition during critical network modernization and cloud migration initiatives creates continuity risk
  • Vermont Integrated Eligibility System (VT-IES) modernization is a multi-year, high-complexity project replacing legacy healthcare and economic assistance benefits systems serving hundreds of thousands of Vermonters -- procurement and implementation risks are significant
  • Small state workforce (~8,500 employees) competing for IT and cybersecurity talent against private sector and larger states, with Governor Scott's return-to-office mandate (3 days/week effective December 2025) potentially impacting recruitment and retention of remote-capable tech workers
  • BEAD broadband deployment of $229M allocation just received NTIA approval in February 2026 with $93M unlocked -- tight federal timelines for construction across Vermont's challenging rural geography with limited ISP competition

Capability Areas

Capability Radar

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

Current IT Projects

ProjectStatusDescriptionTimeline
Vermont Integrated Eligibility System (VT-IES)In ProcurementMulti-year modernization of legacy healthcare and economic assistance eligibility systems. Modular approach to design, develop, implement, and maintain a new integrated eligibility and enrollment platform with simplified application process, centralized benefits access, and improved case management.2025-2029
Network Modernization Initiative (SD-WAN)In ProgressDeployment of Software-Defined Wide Area Network across 320+ state sites to replace aging network infrastructure. Improving application performance, network resiliency, and cost-effectiveness with enhanced redundancy and diverse internet connections.2023-2025
BEAD Broadband DeploymentApproved$229M BEAD allocation with $93M unlocked by NTIA Final Proposal approval in February 2026. Competitive ISP selection including Comcast, DVFiber, Fidium, and SpaceX to deploy broadband meeting 100/20 Mbps standards to unserved Vermont households.2026-2030
AI Governance and Deployment ExpansionActiveExpanding AI Council governance framework, growing inventory from 37 tracked AI systems, implementing deceptive AI disclosure legislation, and deploying practical AI applications including traffic sign recognition, pavement classification, and cloud operations management.2025-2026
Cybersecurity Advisory Council Strategic PlanActiveCross-sector Cybersecurity Advisory Council (Act 71, 2023) developing statewide cybersecurity strategy, assessing readiness, reviewing critical infrastructure standards, and producing annual recommendations for the legislature.2023-2028
Mainframe Hosting Modernization AssessmentUnder ReviewIndependent review of ADS mainframe hosting to assess cloud migration options, evaluate security implications, and develop modernization roadmap for legacy mainframe workloads supporting critical state operations.2025-2026

100-Day Strategic Plan

Quick-win initiatives for immediate impact

200-Day Strategic Plan

Strategic initiatives for sustained transformation

Sources

  1. Vermont Agency of Digital Services (ADS) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  2. ADS 2025 Annual Report (accessed 2026-02-23)
  3. ADS Organizational Structure and Contacts (accessed 2026-02-23)
  4. Vermont AI Council and Division of Artificial Intelligence (accessed 2026-02-23)
  5. GovTech: Vermont's IT Leadership Will Evolve as Tech Officer Retires (accessed 2026-02-23)
  6. Vermont Cybersecurity Advisory Council (Act 71, 2023) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  7. NTIA Approves Vermont's BEAD Final Proposal (accessed 2026-02-23)
  8. Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) BEAD Program (accessed 2026-02-23)
  9. Vermont Integrated Eligibility System (VT-IES) RFP (accessed 2026-02-23)
  10. VT-IES Modernization Overview (accessed 2026-02-23)
  11. Vermont Network Modernization Initiative (SD-WAN) Presentation (accessed 2026-02-23)
  12. Vermont Deceptive AI Disclosure Bill (2026) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  13. Vermont State Employees Return-to-Office Order (accessed 2026-02-23)
  14. Vermont Department of Human Resources Workforce Report FY2024 (accessed 2026-02-23)
  15. StateTech Magazine: Vermont CIO Denise Reilly-Hughes Cloud Journey (accessed 2026-02-23)
  16. ADS Legislative Presentation (January 2025) (accessed 2026-02-23)
  17. NASCIO 2025 State CIO Top 10 Priorities (accessed 2026-02-23)