Government Technology recently released the results of their 2016 Digital States Survey. Minnesota gets a B+. Here’s what they say…

State: Minnesota
2016 grade: B+
2014 grade: B+
CIO: Tom Baden
To Sum it up: Minnesota’s No. 1 priority when it comes to IT is the development of a strategic cybersecurity plan, with executive support evidenced by Gov. Mark Dayton’s $46 million 2016 budget request. In addition to security upgrades at key agencies, the IT office has developed a Breach Response and Notification manual that aligns with the NIST framework to define roles in the event of a breach and encourage agency-level preparation. The IT agency, MN.IT, also tests preparedness with tabletop events aimed at agency partners. Planning for the Internet of Things is driving some of the security conversation, as the state positions itself to securely manage its ever-growing data inventory. The state has some impressive stats to back up its commitment to a smaller footprint, reducing its data center count from 49 to 29 in the past two years and virtualizing 80 percent of its servers. Minnesota’s move toward a hybrid cloud model will allow it to make the most of existing infrastructure while shifting to as-a-service options on a case-by-case basis when the benefits justify the switch. Another significant accomplishment from Minnesota since the last survey is its GenTax integrated tax system, which brings together all tax functions and offers Web-based filing and processing services for citizens. An online audit room enables taxpayers to interact and share information directly with auditors. The audit room’s first iteration used an off-the-shelf product, but additional functionality is being added continuously using in-house teams. The state has upped its transparency game too, adding an Open Checkbook feature to its website to expose detailed financial information.

B+ is pretty good – but it’s always nice to know what the curve looks like. Here’s what Gov Tech says about the – seems like we’re well above average…

No states received a D or F, and just eight states landed in the C grade range. A growing number of states fill out the top of the curve compared to surveys past — 20 states earned a grade of B+ or higher, and a whopping 10 states earned an A or A-.