Ben Hafer Joins TechCA Advisory Council
TechCA announced that Ben Hafer, a longtime state and federal technology leader and the founder of The Digital Services Group, has joined the association’s Advisory Council.
Legislature Sends AI Cybersecurity Playbook Bill to Governor
The California Legislature has passed a bill that would create a statewide AI Cybersecurity Collaboration Playbook aimed at helping agencies share cybersecurity threats to protect against attacks. AB 979 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) would require the California Cybersecurity Integration Center to create the playbook, mandating reporting of threats by state AI contractors while ensuring confidentiality protections. The bill now awaits the governor’s action.
Eva Robinson Appointed AIO of CalVet
Eva Robinson has joined the California Department of Veterans Affairs as its new Agency Information Officer (AIO), the department has confirmed. Previously, she served as the Project Controller for the $1.2 billion EDDNext modernization project, where she managed project governance, budgeting, contracts, and financial oversight while providing strategic guidance to stakeholders on fiscal matters and expenditures.
Legislative Update
With the September 12 deadline looming for bills to pass out of both chambers, several high-profile technology-related measures have been sidelined for the year, including multiple bills aimed at regulating data privacy and artificial intelligence. Others are moving forward. See a list of selected bills tracked by TechCA here.
Ohanian Named Policy Advisor for Data Exchange at DHCS
John Ohanian has been appointed Policy Advisor for Data Exchange at the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Gov. Newsom’s office announced on Tuesday.
Readout: Cybersecurity Forum – July 9, 2025
The forum featured a discussion with State CISO Vitaliy Panych, moderated by Chris Cruz, focused on California’s cybersecurity posture and strategic initiatives. Panych detailed the responsibilities and operations of the Office of Information Security (OIS), the collaborative structure of the California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC), audit and maturity metrics, and forward-looking priorities outlined in Cal-Secure, the state’s overall roadmap and framework to enhance the cyber resilience across departments and agencies, a preview of Cal-Secure 2.0, AI governance, and post-quantum security preparedness.
Video: CIO Forum with California Department of State Hospitals
On May 7, 2025, TechCA hosted an online forum featuring Chad Corrin, DSH Deputy Director of Technology Services and CIO, Lucas Palusko, DSH Chief Technology Officer, and Joan Arthur, Chief of IT Business Management.
