President Trump Issues Executive Order Enhancing Role of Agency CIOs

President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order enabling Federal Agency Chief Information Officers ("CIOs") to more effectively control and improve upon their agencies' information technology systems and programs. The Order was issued under an Executive policy to "(a) empower agency CIOs to ensure that agency IT systems are secure, efficient, accessible, and effective, and that such systems enable agencies to accomplish their missions;" and (b) modernize IT infrastructure within the executive branch and meaningfully improve the delivery of digital services; and (c) improve the management, acquisition, and oversight of Federal IT."

The Executive Order will, among other actions, provide that agency CIOs:

• report directly to heads of their agency;

• function as voting members of bureau-level IT governance; and

• hire qualified IT personnel.