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Macon-Bibb County CIO Tquell Watson outlines cybersecurity push and IT reorganization
Summary
Tquell Watson, Macon-Bibb County’s new chief information officer, said she is prioritizing cybersecurity, staff reorganization and user training after a recent data breach and outlined projects including a phone migration, GIS work and public-safety radio support.
Macon-Bibb County’s newly installed Chief Information Officer, Tquell Watson, said she is focused on building a stronger cybersecurity foundation and reorganizing the county’s information technology operations after a recent data breach.
“I can’t make that guarantee, and I definitely can’t make that promise, but what I can pledge to do is do everything in my power to make it harder,” Watson said, describing the department’s approach to risk mitigation and education.
Watson, who said she started with the county on Feb. 17 and has been in the job for about 75 business days, said her immediate priorities include implementing audit recommendations, launching staff and user training sessions, and improving cross-team collaboration. The department plans periodic "lunch and learn" cybersecurity sessions for county employees and is rolling out a newsletter to keep users informed.
She described several operational efforts already underway: a recent Mitel phone-system migration completed on April 28 that required an "all hands on deck" effort; network and infrastructure support for courthouse renovation work; improvements to radio and public-safety communications; and expanded public-facing GIS mapping services. Watson said the IT department currently comprises 24 staff across administrative, infrastructure, service desk, communications and GIS teams.
Watson emphasized the importance of internal cohesion, citing daily stand-up meetings, first-Friday staff gatherings and a monthly internal awards program to break silos and improve coordination. She also highlighted partnerships with vendors for training and automated tooling to support business processes.
Looking ahead she said she wants Macon to grow as a regional technology hub. “What I want Macon to become is the smart city technical hub of Central Georgia,” Watson said, naming improved cybersecurity and community-focused technology access among her five-year goals. She also pledged to remain accessible to county users.
The CIO said many of the changes are already in progress and that further announcements on public-facing services and website improvements will come as projects reach rollout stages.
