The deals are live, and so are the scammers. This Black Friday, OCTO's Chief Information Security Officer Suneel Cherukuri and Chief Technology Officer Stephen N. Miller are here to help you shop safely online. Suneel reveals why cyber criminals never clock out and walks through the three essential security habits that protect you from fraud.
You'll learn the "Golden Rule" that could save your bank account, understand why those deal emails are dangerous, and get straightforward advice on passwords, payments, and keeping your devices secure.
OCTO's Digital Inclusion Coordinator Adrian Sutton also shares how MPD's Safe Exchange Zones provide safe locations for in-person marketplace pickups. Get the expert strategies you need to stay protected and keep the holidays enjoyable.
30 Sept 2025
Harnessing AI for Smarter Government: Launching Procurement AI in DC
OCTO has led the charge to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in DC government under the leadership of Mayor Muriel Bowser and her February 2024 Mayor’s Order Defining DC’s AI Values and AI Strategic Benchmarks.
Since then, OCTO has created the Handbook for AI Values Alignment -- the blueprint that guides agencies through the careful consideration of AI tools against the District’s six AI values, chief among them clear benefits to residents.
In sync with pioneering innovations to positively impact the DC residents and agencies, OCTO has released a new AI tool for DC government.
This new AI tool -- Procurement AI -- was created in partnership with the generative AI platform – Morfius.
We are excited to have Morfius AI Vice President of Business Development, Tabassum Jahangir, to discuss this new AI tool.
We are also joined by OCTO's Chief Operating Officer Tehsin Faruk and OCTO’s Chief Data Officer Matt Sokol.
6 Mar 2025
Making tech accessible to all with Department on Disability Services (DDS)
Today, we’re excited to have Program Development Specialist, Donald Clark, join us with the DC Department on Disability Services (DDS).
Making tech accessible to all, is a core OCTO principle that always informs our work – which is why having DDS as a guest is so important.
The District's Tech Plan is focused on Unleashing the Possible. OCTO knows everyone can’t unleash the possible – unless everyone has tech access. Whether it’s our Web Team using tools to scan all DC Government websites for accessibilityor deploying the full suite of Microsoft Accessibility Solutions, when OCTO leads or supports initiatives, we strive to effectively serve people with different hearing, sight and neuro-diverse needs.
In the works now is an exciting collaboration with ODR to require DC Government agencies to ensure that their websites are fully accessible…so having DDS’ Donald Clark – as our guest today is perfect!
31 Oct 2024
Cybersecurity in the age of AI: OCTO Chief Information Security Officer, Suneel Cherukuri
Today, we’re excited to have the Chief Information Security Officer for the Office of the Chief Technology Officer –Suneel Che rukuri -- joining us.
Suneel Cherukuri provides leadership and day-to-day coordination for securing and protecting Washington, DC’s information resources from external and internal threats.
A recipient of the StateScoop 50 Award in the “State Cybersecurity Leader of the Year” category, he has 20-plus-years of industry experience in leading large enterprise network environments, specializing in cybersecurity architecture, design, engineering, and operations.
16 Sept 2024
Fueling Innovation & Gratitude in DC with the Innovation Team at OCTO
We’re excited to have the OCTO Innovation Team joining us! Started in 2021, by a partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Innovation Team – or iTeam –was created to enhance public services and create an exceptional digital experience for District residents.
Key takeaways:
Gratitude Powers DC: Discover how this art and community engagement project is celebrating what DC residents love and is also shaping improvements to the District’s recruitment and hiring process.
Data-Driven Storytelling: Learn how Lindsay and Matt are leveraging data to weave compelling narratives about DC government services and their impact on residents' lives.
Cherished Cityscapes: From parks to coffee shops, the podcast highlights the places and experiences that make DC special, showcasing the deep bond between residents and their city.
Supporting Educators: Gain insights into the Innovation Team's focus on community engagement and their upcoming event designed to uplift District educators and school administrators.
Mark Your Calendars: The Gratitude Powers DC initiative will culminate in a special celebration honoring DC's teachers and education administrators on Tuesday, October 8th, at 6:00 PM at the Deanwood Recreation Center. Event details can be found at Gratitude Powers DC. (https://innovate.dc.gov/gratitude)
8 Mar 2024
DC Business Portal Unveiled: New DLCP Director, Tiffany Crowe
Get the scoop on the DC Business Portal and how DLCP is making a difference in the District.
The DC Business portal is your one-stop destination for turning dreams into reality. In its first year, entrepreneurs and owners have logged into business.dc.gov over 13,000 times to kickstart and manage their businesses effortlessly.
More than a thousand Washingtonians with big dreams started their own businesses using the portal.
The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection – where dreams take flight, businesses flourish, and the future is bright
3 May 2022
Episode 9 - Tech Talk with Capitol City Robotics
OCTOpod Adrian interviews the Capitol City Robotics Director and three members of the team that will represent the District of Columbia at the VEX Robotics World Championship in May 2022. The Capitol City Robotics is a robotics and coding educational program that exposes K-12 students to science and technology while inspiring them to pursue a STEM career. We learned about the different roles on a robotic team and how the team made it to the Vex Championship and how community members can support Capital City Robotics.
Guests: Michael Ryan Daza | Read more about Michael at https://www.capitolcityroboticsdc.org/about (https://www.capitolcityroboticsdc.org/about)
5 Mar 2020
Episode 8 - Women's HERstory Month with DC MOWPI
In honor of Women’s History Month, we have Joya Matthews, Associate Director of the Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives (MOWPI). She comes to MOWPI after years of public service in workforce development and here to talk to us about this year's Women's HERstory Month and "the why" behind the creation of an agency that specifically focuses on women's initiatives and policies.
For more information visit women.dc.gov (https://t.co/xNZGtgU5Fu?amp=1) or tag and follow MOWPI on social media @DCMOWPI (https://twitter.com/DCMOWPI).
And as always, make sure to follow us for new episodes of the lastest #OCTOpod @octodc (https://twitter.com/octodc)!
26 Feb 2020
Episode 7 - Community, Innovation, and #BlackHistoryDC with The Mayor's Office of African American Affairs
In honor of Black History DC, we are sitting down with Director Ashley Emerson, the Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of African American Affairs (MOAAA) to talk about how innovation impacts Africans Americans in the DC area, the community, #BlackHistoryDC, and more!
Follow @MOAAA_DC (https://twitter.com/MOAAA_DC) and visit http://MOAAA.dc.gov (https://t.co/XRz6dziuK6?amp=1) for the city-wide calendar of events.
And as always, make sure to follow us for new episodes of the lastest #OCTOpod @octodc (https://twitter.com/octodc)!
31 Oct 2019
Episode 6 - Building, Maintaining and Sustaining DC with DGS
From parks and recs to building modernization, OCTOPod sits down with the Director of DC Department of General Services (DGS), Keith Anderson to talk about school modernizations, tech lounges, Percent for Art Programs and more!
Learn more about the DC Department of General Services:
Visit dgs.dc.gov (dgs.dc.gov)
Follow @dcdgs (https://soundcloud.com/dcdgs)
Guest:
Keith Anderson
Co-Hosts:
Mike Rupert
Nina Liggett
Editor/Producer:
Serena Ieng
Co-Producer:
Shinada Philips
Adrian Sutton
Thank you for listening to the OCTOPod! Follow us @OCTODC and tag us #OCTOPOD.
3 May 2019
Episode 5 - All Hands on Tech with Connect.DC
From FREE tech support to Senior tech workshops, OCTOPod sits down with Director of Connect.DC, Delano Squires to talk about bridging the digital divide! Connect.DC making technology easier to use, more accessible, more affordable, and more relevant to the everyday lives of District residents.
Learn more about all the Connect.DC programs:
connect.dc.gov/ (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fconnect.dc.gov%2F&token=2c6c47-1-1556901393633)
connect.dc.gov/free-tech-support (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fconnect.dc.gov%2Ffree-tech-support&token=9578e3-1-1556901393633)
connect.dc.gov/seniors (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fconnect.dc.gov%2Fseniors&token=538d4a-1-1556901393633)
connect.dc.gov/spark (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fconnect.dc.gov%2Fspark&token=d4cbaa-1-1556901393633)
Guest:
Delano Squires
Co-Hosts:
Mike Rupert
Nina Liggett
Michele Roseman
Editor/Producer:
Serena Ieng
30 Apr 2019
Episode 4 - Tech and Taxis with DC For Hire Vehicles
The new DC For Hire Vehicles (DCFHV) CIO, Eric Fidler joins OCTOPod to talk about tech and taxis! Discussing his transition to DC government, DC taxis vs. Rideshare apps, "Where Are the Taxis" digital platform and more!
Guest:
Eric Fidler
dfhv.dc.gov/ (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdfhv.dc.gov%2F&token=25966d-1-1556634862580)
Co-Hosts:
Mike Rupert
Nina Liggett
Michele Roseman
Editor/Producer:
Serena Ieng
20 Mar 2019
Episode 3 - Let's Make It Official with DC CTO
Having been confirmed just two weeks ago, meet DC's new Chief Technology Officer, Lindsey Parker as she sits down with team OCTOPod to talk about tackling tech and innovation in the nation's capital and more.
Guest:
Lindsey Parker
https://octo.dc.gov/biography/lindsey-parker
Co-Hosts:
Mike Rupert
Nina Liggett
Michele Roseman
Editor/Producer:
Serena Ieng
11 Mar 2019
Episode 2 - Talk Trash with DPW
OCTOPod team Mike, Nina and Michele sit down with Acting Director of the Department of Public Works, Christopher Geldart to "talk trash" about all things DPW. Discussing the new launch of the MyDPW App, smart waste collection solutions, Zero Waste DC and more!
Guest:
Christopher Geldart
https://dpw.dc.gov/biography/christopher-geldart
MyDPW App:
https://dpw.dc.gov/es/node/1388026
The mobile app can be downloaded from the AppStore and GooglePlay, and can be found using the search terms “MyDPW” or “MyDPW DC.”
Zero Waste DC:
https://zerowaste.dc.gov/
Co-Hosts:
Mike Rupert
Nina Liggett
Michele Roseman
Editor/Producer:
Serena Ieng
By the Numbers Source(s):
https://wapo.st/2T0OMel
https://dpw.dc.gov/service/trash-container-repair-and-purchase
11 Mar 2019
Episode 1 - Let's Tech About Cybersecurity!
In the inaugural OCTOpod Mike and Nina interview DC’s newly hired Chief Information Security Officer, and grill him about why passwords need to be complex, why emails are a big risk, and how DC agencies can work with us to stay innovative but also cyber secure.
Guest:
Suneel Cherukuri
Read more about Suneel: https://octo.dc.gov/release/dc-names-new-chief-information-security-officer-ciso
Co-Hosts:
Mike Rupert
Nina Liggett
Editor/Producer:
Serena Ieng
By the Numbers Source:
https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/636083/10-alarming-cybersecurity-facts/
11 Mar 2019
OCTOPod Teaser
The OCTOPod is the place to track government techies, geeks and innovators who are making a huge difference in the nation's Capital. There are a lot of cool people in the DC Government tech space and on OCTOPod you can meet them all. Let's tech it out!
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