[ST. PAUL, MN] The Center for Digital Government has awarded Minnesota an A- in the 2026 Digital States Survey, recognizing the state's strong use of technology to improve services, strengthen operations and advance statewide priorities. 

Minnesota has earned an A-range grade in three consecutive surveys, following A grades in 2022 and 2024. The biennial survey evaluates how state technology organizations align their work with policy priorities, apply leading practices and deliver results for the people they serve. 

“We’re using technology to make government work better for Minnesotans: making services easier to access, strengthening our cybersecurity defenses, and responsibly embracing innovation,” said Governor Tim Walz. “This recognition reflects the talent and dedication of public servants across our state who are modernizing government, delivering results, and keeping Minnesotans at the center of everything we do.” 

“This grade reflects the expertise and commitment of employees across state government,” said Jon Eichten, commissioner of Minnesota IT Services and state chief information officer. “We’ve made meaningful progress by working together to modernize services, strengthen cybersecurity and approach emerging technology responsibly. This recognition is something to be proud of, but it also pushes us to keep improving how we serve Minnesotans.” 

Minnesota's 2026 survey response highlighted measurable work across the executive branch, including: 

• Achieving the state's 40 by 2027 digital self-service goal one year early. 

• Funding 51+ modernization projects across 28 agencies through the Technology Modernization Fund. 

• Expanding whole-of-state cybersecurity services to protect about 120,000 endpoints, including more than 65,000 outside the executive branch. 

• Growing cloud adoption from 12 servers in 2021 to more than 4,400 by May 2026. 

• Applying responsible artificial intelligence to improve government operations, including a tool that analyzed more than 6,500 bills with 99% accuracy. 

The Digital States Survey helps states benchmark their use of digital technologies to improve service delivery, boost capacity, and achieve policy goals. A full national overview of all 50 states and their grades is available on the Center for Digital Government’s website. Minnesota received recognition at the National Association of State Chief Information Officers Annual Conference in San Diego, CA on Sept. 27. 

About Minnesota IT Services

Minnesota IT Services, led by the state’s Chief Information Officer, is the Information Technology agency for Minnesota’s executive branch, providing enterprise and local IT services to over 70 agencies, boards, and commissions. MNIT employs more than 2,800 people. Together, we build, maintain, and secure the State’s IT infrastructure, applications, projects, and services. MNIT sets IT strategy, direction, policies, and standards for enterprise IT leadership and planning. We also serve Minnesotans by connecting all 87 counties, 300 cities, and 200 public higher education campuses across the state on the MNET network. Through public-private partnerships, our team proactively protects the state’s information systems and the private data of 5.7 million Minnesotans. 

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