Seattle IT, Author at Tech Talk

Need help with internet costs? Discounts of up to $50 per month now available through the national Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to qualifying low-income households

May 14, 2021

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in collaboration with internet service provider companies, has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households (and up to $75 per month… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Broadband and Cable, Digital EquityTagged With: Internet for all

Seattle Parks utilizes Webex to bring their services to the public

May 12, 2021

Seattle Parks and Recreation (Seattle Parks) needed to make the same change a year ago as many organizations: how do they deliver in-person services to the public, without being in person? Due to the pandemic, Seattle Parks was required to shut down in-person trainings, classes, and social hours at all their community centers.   By utilizing Seattle Information Technology’s… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Tech TalkTagged With: martial arts, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Webex, Yoga

PROVAIL expands assistive technology lab with Technology Matching Fund grant

May 3, 2021

Each year Technology Matching Fund (TMF) grants are awarded to organizations that endeavor to help close the digital divide. They use grants, of up to $25,000 to provide digital skills training for underserved communities. The Technology Matching Fund partnered with the Verizon Foundation to provide $25,000 for PROVAIL’s project in 2020, allowing us to support one additional project in 2020. The 2021 Technology Mathing… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Technology Matching FundTagged With: #TechMatchingFund, Internet for all

2021 Technology Matching Fund grant recipients announced

April 1, 2021

The City of Seattle today announced the recipients of the 2021 Technology Matching Fund. With an investment of $343,000, 15 organizations will receive funding for community-led projects which aim to increase access to technology and provide digital skills training for underserved communities. The grants range from $11,000 to $25,000, and organizations… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Funding, News, Technology Matching FundTagged With: #TechMatchingFund, Internet for all

Beware of Tax Season scams

March 16, 2021

Tax season is officially underway way. Taxes are due on May 17 this year. During tax season, the risk of scams increases with scammers targeting taxpayers and their data in order to file fraudulent tax returns, collect refunds, and engage in other identity theft schemes. Seattle Information Technology’s Security Team… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: NewsTagged With: tax identity theft, tax scammers, tax season, tax season awareness

Open Data Day 2021

March 3, 2021

by Seattle Information Technology Chief Privacy Officer Ginger Armbruster The City of Seattle has been a national leader in municipal data transparency since we first introduced our Open Data Portal in 2010. Seattle IT worked with a local company, Socrata, to partner in this vision, supported by a 2016 executive… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: NewsTagged With: #OpenDataDay2021, open data

Seattle IT joins Seattle Promise program in mentorship project

January 29, 2021

We are pleased to announce that Seattle Information Technology (IT) department has partnered with the Seattle Promise Program in a pilot mentoring project for the 2020-2021 academic year.  The past year has proven to be a time of unprecedented change — from the global COVID-19 pandemic to the uprisings for racial justice– we are all facing challenges in how we interact, work, and learn.  Mentorship is a powerful… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: NewsTagged With: #Seattle, Mentorship, opportunity, technology, youth guidance

Data Privacy and Data Security – Which is which and who does what to protect the City’s critical data?

January 25, 2021

By Ginger Armbruster, Chief Privacy Officer Reflecting on this past year of change and turmoil, it is clear that the enormous volume of personal information involved with the increase in telework, transition to distance learning, and overall rapid switch to remote interactions with the world, has served to highlight how… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: NewsTagged With: #DataPrivacyDay

How to avoid online holiday scams

December 21, 2020

Tis’ the season for online holiday shopping AND holiday scams! Be vigilant for any sketchy or unexpected calls, texts or email. Additionally, with so many of us working from home it’s important to keep our work and personal digital lives separate. Here are some tips that may help you avoid… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: News

CTAB has elected its 2021 leaders