(KIWA Staff Photo)
Statewide Iowa (RI) — Governor Kim Reynolds says the two companies she has hired to manage state government computer networks will not have access to Iowans’ personal data.
Iowans provide their Social Security numbers, for example, when they file their state income taxes, and voter registration forms require birthdates and other identification, like a driver’s license number. Reynolds says security issues were resolved during negotiations.
Last week, Reynolds announced that Cognizant will provide technical assistance to state agencies and employees using computers, and Amazon Web Services will move all state government computer networks to the internet.
Reynolds says she signed the contracts with the two companies because IT services are not a core government function.
The governor estimates the state will save more than $500 million over the next decade by having the two companies manage state government computer networks. The contracts call for the State of Iowa to pay Amazon and Cognizant nearly $420 million over the next 10 years.
