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Leesburg IT director outlines FY26 priorities, elevating AI policy and cybersecurity
Summary
Scott, the town's information technology director, told the Technology and Communications Commission that governance, an AI policy, enterprise cybersecurity and improved customer service are the department's top priorities for the coming year.
Scott, Information Technology Director for the Town of Leesburg, told the Technology and Communications Commission that governance, a formal artificial intelligence policy, enterprise cybersecurity and improved customer service will be the department's top priorities entering the FY26 cycle. The presentation took place during the commission's regular meeting (date noted in commission materials).
Scott said the department is pursuing an internal technology working group to review incoming requests (including requests to adopt large language models), to develop governance policies and to ensure departmental buy-in. "We have to have involvement from all of our business units," Scott said, adding that the working group would not be limited to AI review but would advise on a range of policies and projects.
The director said IT is working to create a single pane of truth for project management so town projects are tracked in a common dashboard rather than in multiple disparate places. He described that work as part of a broader governance foundation that will inform strategic planning across town departments.
Cybersecurity and risk management were emphasized as operational priorities. Scott said the town currently uses vulnerability testing and engages the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for pen testing, and he expressed a goal of more frequent pen testing. He also said the department is developing incident response playbooks and wants to move toward quarterly exercises to build "muscle memory" for staff when incidents occur.
On customer service, Scott reported that the town recently deployed Freshservice for ticketing and that additional modules (contract management, asset tracking and related functionality) will be implemented to improve oversight and interdepartmental communication. He said IT will work with departments to establish service-level expectations for critical systems, noting that some systems (for example, 911 and water-treatment controls) cannot be taken offline for maintenance without careful coordination.
Scott also updated the commission on audiovisual upgrades to the council chambers and the use of a virtual studio for live YouTube broadcasts. He said meetings will continue to be uploaded to the town's Granicus portal for later review and that local cable head-end distribution (Fios/Comcast) is not available at the temporary studio location.
The director asked commissioners for feedback and resident input on website and portal design as IT prepares a townwide strategic plan. He asked commissioners to provide a short list of relevant skills and a photo for an upcoming boards-and-commissions networking presentation. The commission also discussed using the working group and resident input to design better public surveys and citizen-facing tools.
Scott closed by inviting feedback and questions as the department finalizes governance documents and moves toward a fuller IT strategic plan.
