Building Inclusive Government Policies: A Roadmap to Equity
Leaders in Government and Critical Infrastructure
Today, we would like to explore how government leaders can champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as foundational principles in their decision-making processes. By prioritizing these principles, leaders can create policies that better reflect the needs of all people and build trust among their constituents.
Diversity
Inclusion and representation from various backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, abilities, etc.
Equity
Fairness, ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources, regardless of their background.
Inclusion
Creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and has a voice in decision-making processes.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
ERGs stand as valuable assets in cultivating inclusive and equitable work environments and communities. They provide a platform for underrepresented employees to connect, gain insights, and advocate for their needs.
ERGs play a pivotal role in DEI initiatives:
Fostering Inclusion: ERGs promote belonging and authenticity among employees, increasing visibility for underrepresented groups and fostering acceptance.
Improving Diversity: ERGs actively participate in talent attraction, showcasing organizations as welcoming communities and communicating the needs of underrepresented groups to leadership.
Promoting External Impact: ERGs assist in recruiting diverse talent pools, diversifying the workforce, and participating in government-led talent attraction events.
Training
Training acts as a catalyst for creating inclusive and equitable environments, addressing individual and institutional aspects.
Key aspects of training in government:
Mitigating Implicit Biases: Training empowers employees to recognize and mitigate unconscious biases in decision-making.
Ongoing Education and Awareness: Training programs keep employees updated on DEI best practices and emerging issues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Interpersonal Relationship Building: Training addresses attitudes, stereotypes, and microaggressions, promoting a respectful workplace.
Institutional Transformation: Training empowers core groups to champion equity initiatives and addresses institutional and structural racism.
Community Engagement
Building connections with diverse community organizations and stakeholders provides invaluable insights into the unique needs and concerns of various populations.
Community engagement is essential for:
Building Relationships and Understanding: Engaging with diverse stakeholders informs policies that truly serve and represent communities.
Enhancing Trust and Transparency: Active listening and collaboration foster trust between government and constituents.
Inclusive Decision-Making: Involving stakeholders in discussions ensures fair and equitable policies.
Effective Service Delivery: Understanding community needs allows for more efficient and equitable service allocation.
Conflict Resolution and Prevention: Open communication helps address issues proactively.
Promoting Civic Participation: Engaging the public encourages active participation in local governance.
State Government Examples
Community-focused racial justice initiatives include:
- Forming a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) task force of community members (State of Rhode Island Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department of Administration);
- Celebrating diversity within the community through proclamations and public-facing events (State of Rhode Island DEI Events)
- Designing outreach strategies to include communities that have not been heard or represented (State of Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board)
- Rhode Island has made impressive strides in criminal justice reform, partnering with the CSG Justice Center to analyze state data and work alongside the Justice Reinvestment Working Group. Together, they develop data-driven policy options to cut correctional expenses and enhance public safety.
- Rhode Island DEI Leadership pipeline (Rhode Island Foundation Equity Leadership Foundation Initiative 2023/2024 Cohort)

Transparency and Accountability
Transparency and accountability are vital in DEI efforts, driving trust, progress measurement, and positive examples.
Public Trust: Openly sharing DEI goals and progress builds trust with the public.
Stakeholder Engagement: Involving the public and organizations invites collaboration and feedback.
Positive Example: Prioritizing transparency sets an example for other organizations.
The journey towards inclusive government policies involves breaking down barriers, embracing diversity, and promoting fairness at all levels. By implementing ERGs, training, community engagement, and transparency, leaders in government and critical infrastructure can forge a more equitable future for all.
Contributors:
Kathryn Peterson, Technical Writer
Chelsea Levesque, Director, Marketing
References:
- Advancing Racial Equity at the Local Government Level
- Effective employee resource groups are key to inclusion at work
- Commitment to DE&I | Governor’s Work Board
- Transparency and Open Government
- Advancing equity and racial justice through the Federal Government
- Rhode Island Office of Division of Equity Diversity and Inclusion
Grant Opportunity: Connect Your Community
By Chelsea Levesque, Director, Marketing and Communications, HCH Enterprises
In a groundbreaking move, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has allocated a staggering $42.45 billion in grants to states, the District of Columbia, and territories. This monumental investment, a key component of the “Investing in America” agenda put forth by the Biden-Harris Administration, aims to provide affordable and reliable high-speed internet access to every American. By bridging the digital divide, this initiative, aptly named “Internet for All,” will reshape our digital landscape, unlocking new opportunities and enhancing competitiveness on a nationwide scale.
Today, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity, indispensable for work, education, and healthcare. The “Internet for All” program will enable communities to connect, fostering economic growth and empowering individuals across the country.
Through the allocation of funds, states, the District of Columbia, and territories can establish grant programs specifically designed to deploy or upgrade broadband networks. This critical step ensures that affordable and dependable internet service becomes accessible to everyone.
For comprehensive information on funding allocations tailored to each state, as well as further details on the Biden Administration’s high-speed internet portfolio, we invite you to visit InternetForAll.gov. Stay tuned for the formal allocation notice, which Eligible Entities will receive on June 30, 2023.
At HCH, we are proud to be a part of this transformative initiative. Our organization champions equity and facilitates the grant process for communities. From acquisition to disbursement, we are dedicated to unlocking the full potential of our nation through the power of high-speed internet.
Join us on this journey as we pave the way towards a more connected and inclusive America. Together, we can harness the transformative power of high-speed internet, bringing us closer to a future where opportunities know no bounds.
#InternetForAll #NTIA #InvestingInAmerica #BroadbandEquity #PublicSectorConsulting #ConstituentsFirst #GrantHelp
SecureWorld Boston — Closing Thoughts
By Donald Borsay, Director of Security Solutions, HCH Enterprises
After a prolonged absence due to COVID-19 lockdowns and contract assignments, I was finally able to return to Boston’s Hynes Convention Center for SecureWorld Boston in late March. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with my New England peers, catch up on the latest products and best practices, and even share my thoughts on the next steps of threat intelligence.
I was reassured to see many of my long-lost friends on the speaker list and on the Advisory Council. One of my colleagues pointed out that I had spent two straight hours on the exhibit floor without moving, — as one longtime colleague departed another came. Each of us is busy working hard to tackle cyber risk.
I spent a significant amount of time on the exhibit floor or in special roundtable discussions within the Advisory Council. I learned a lot about the impact of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity and about the recent SEC rulings that may give the Board greater access to the chief information security officer (CISO). I also discovered new products and vendors that are ready to help in the battle for network security.
I had the privilege of leading a threat intelligence panel discussion on “The State of InfoSec Today.” The main takeaway: that with a clear vision, fewer false positives, and continued effort, we can eliminate threats. I offer special thanks to Katherine Chipdey and Jason Albuquerque for the answers and a packed, lively crowd that built upon the seed questions I offered. It takes a village!
When refining your InfoSec program, it’s important to consider how threat intelligence reveals your critical assets’ exposure. Also, be sure that asset vulnerability and remediation are equally prioritized within threat intelligence. If what you have lacks this clarity, seek the capability to add intelligence.
In the threat intelligence arena, it is important to derive both high-level strategic and operational information, as well as low-level technical and tactical information. The devil is in the evolving technical details, so it’s essential to integrate and transform other domains instead of creating threat management silos.
SecurityBeat: Culture Driven Cybersecurity
By Donald Borsay, Director of Security Solutions, HCH Enterprises
At HCH Enterprises, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cybersecurity. While we all recognize the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements framed within the culture of a particular country, we likely lack a perspective on cybersecurity. As digital transformation takes over every aspect of our lives, the core enabler remains people. HCH knows how to bring cybersecurity into the culture of your business.

According to ISACA’s The Business Model for Information Security, culture is the first factor that makes cybersecurity part of everything we do. Culture improves through a steady emergence of process. Management recognizes the culture gap and supports incremental advancement. According to the Security Cultures Report from Tessian, the proper security culture directly impacts employee behavior.
The people also use technology directly and must have the skills to support their access and instincts to know when something is wrong. These human factors of technology must be part of the plan. As a result, our People embrace the use of technology and operate it securely by applying their newfound awareness and skills and by following policy and procedure where appropriate.
Sounds good, right? Unfortunately, 45% of users don’t know who to report a security incident to and only 30% of employees believe they play a personal role in cybersecurity. We have so much work ahead of us!
Delivering on the promise of cybersecurity can be a daunting task for high-risk startups, small businesses, and local government when faced with the typical one-size-fits-all toolbox persisted by other providers. HCH’s approach is purposefully tailored to fit your culture. We will partner in your journey to a more mature cybersecurity posture.