The Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) has announced that it will offer no-cost website hosting for local governments, marking an expansion of a previous program that offered low-cost web hosting to local governments.
“In an era where digital interaction has become a cornerstone of public service, maintaining secure, accessible, and efficient online resources is more important than ever,” IOT said in a press statement. “IOT’s latest initiative seeks to ensure that all local governments, regardless of size or budget, can offer their constituents a safe, trustworthy and user-friendly online experience.”
According to IOT, local governments taking advantage of the free website hosting will be able to choose between three award-winning website designs that are accessible-compliant and mobile-friendly. Additionally, localities can update the sites through a content management system, view analytics, and also receive access to a calendar and events system. IOT said it will also provide the same layer of comprehensive cybersecurity measures that are used at the state level to protect against online threats and ensure the privacy and safety of users.
The ability to offer this free option to local governments comes from Indiana’s Chief Information Officer Tracy Barnes efforts to identify services that could benefit local government, and work to find no-cost or negotiated enterprise rates with the state’s purchasing power to reduce the costs for localities. As part of the state’s new IN.gov contract, local websites are included.
“This strategic move continues to build trust and aims to significantly improve cybersecurity measures and overall user experience on government platforms,” said Barnes.
“We’re seeking to empower local governments to better manage their digital front doors, and improve access to all levels of local government, be it a small township or for our larger communities,” Barnes said. “Hoosiers should expect to have secure, easy to use digital methods to get in touch with their government. By removing financial barriers, we are another step closer to providing an improved, consistent digital experience no matter what level of government a citizen is interacting with.”
IOT also provides local governments with no-cost or pre-negotiated rates for third-party solutions for:
- Access Indiana, single sign-on;
- Cybersecurity assessments through Purdue University and Indiana University;
- Cybersecurity Awareness Training;
- Cybersecurity software;
- Geographic Information Systems;
- Office Productivity Suites software; and
- Payment Processing.
