Tong, who served as CIO from 2016 to 2021, will lead an agency with oversight of human resources, pensions and IT.

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Tong, who's been the state CIO since 2016, to lead the California Office of Digital Innovation.

State CIO Amy Tong said the plan is a "fundamental effort" to improve and standardize cybersecurity across a sprawling government enterprise.

In addition to insufficient oversight of the state's major IT projects, an audit also found weak information security practices across California.

Amy Tong was one of several California officials to speak at a Stop Asian Hate event in Sacramento.

In an online event, IT officials said enabling entire state workforces to work from home stirred unexpected lessons about culture, cybersecurity and training.

It's the latest step in the state's effort to simplify its digital services and encourage development of new tools for public safety, public health and beyond.

As the state's technology agency dials in to daily meetings for emergency response for fires and power outages, Amy Tong says her role remains one of support.

California Chief Information Officer Amy Tong says digital transformation should focus heavily on business needs to be effective.