California Department of Technology

What California Department of Technology does

The California Department of Technology (CDT) is a California state government agency operating under the California Government Operations Agency, headquartered in West Sacramento, California. Founded in 2005, CDT serves as the State's central IT organization with statutory oversight of IT strategic planning, project delivery, procurement, policy, and enterprise architecture across California state government. The department directly employs 501–1,000 staff and manages or coordinates a statewide IT workforce of over 14,000 employees spanning 100+ state departments, local governments, and tribal entities.

CDT operates a platform-plus-services architecture built around three flagship initiatives: CALNET (the statewide telecommunications program delivering voice, data, and network services under a multi-year contract), the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI), an 8,000+ mile open-access fiber network reaching all 58 California counties with $3.2–3.86 billion in funding, and the Digital ID Framework anchored by the California Identity Gateway. Underlying capabilities include the State Data Center, cloud interconnect, CGEN enterprise network, SOCaaS security operations, identity management, the California Open Data Portal, the State Geoportal, and the Open Source Portal (code.ca.gov). Workforce development products encompass the IT Leadership Academy, Project Management Leadership Academy, Information Security Leadership Academy, Digital Services Innovation Academy, GenAI Boot Camp, and Cybersecurity Boot Camp.

The agency's product portfolio has expanded notably in 2025–2026 with the launch of Poppy (a generative AI assistant deployed across 50 departments to over 2,000 state employees), the DROP privacy platform for consumer data-broker opt-outs (January 2026), and AI vendor certification and watermarking best practices under Executive Order N-5-26. CDT's go-to-market is direct-to-agency: services are delivered through the CALNET contract, the CDT Service Catalog, inter-agency agreements, and customer engagement account leads rather than commercial channels. The agency is funded through California state budget appropriations, with MMBI project funding flowing through state bonds and federal sources, and revenue from CALNET services billed via inter-agency Master Rates Table rather than commercial pricing.

Name

California Department of Technology

Legal name

California Department of Technology

Website

https://cdt.ca.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The California Department of Technology is the State of California's central IT agency, providing statewide IT oversight, telecommunications (CALNET), broadband infrastructure (MMBI), digital identity, cloud, security services, and workforce development to 100+ state departments, local governments, and tribal entities, funded through state budget appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. State Budget Funding: CDT is a California state government agency funded through the state budget appropriation process. Services to state agencies are provided as part of the state's IT infrastructure operations, with costs allocated through the state budgeting process rather than commercial revenue generation.
2. Service Billing (CALNET): CDT provides services through the CALNET contract with agencies paying rates set in the Master Rates Table. Revenue flows through state appropriations and inter-agency agreements for IT services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The California Department of Technology (CDT) is California's central state government IT organization, delivering centralized IT oversight, infrastructure, and digital services to state agencies, departments, local governments, and tribal entities. Its portfolio spans the CALNET telecommunications program, the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (the nation's largest open-access broadband network), cloud and security services, the Poppy generative AI assistant, the Digital ID Framework (including the California Identity Gateway), the DROP privacy platform, and workforce development academies. CDT sets statewide IT policy, approves and oversees major projects, procures technology on behalf of state entities, and operates shared infrastructure including the State Data Center.

Product overview

The California Department of Technology operates a comprehensive platform-plus-services architecture delivering technology infrastructure and digital government services across California state government. The core product portfolio centers on three major initiatives: Poppy (California's Digital Assistant) for AI-powered employee assistance, the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative for statewide broadband infrastructure, and the Digital ID Framework for secure identity verification. CDT's service offerings span telecommunications (CALNET, CGEN, Fiber Ring Service, SD-WAN), cloud services (CCS, cloud interconnect, platform hosting), security (SOCaaS, security assessments, program audits), and professional services (technology consulting, UX consulting, enterprise architecture). Workforce development products include leadership academies (IT Leadership Academy, Project Management Leadership Academy, Information Security Leadership Academy, Digital Services Innovation Academy) and boot camps (GenAI, Cybersecurity, Emerging IT Leaders). Additional services include geographic information systems, digital web services network, project delivery community of practice, open data portal, state geoportal, and open source portal. The organization maintains policy frameworks including Envision 2026 strategic plan, State Digital Strategy, State Digital ID Strategy, and Statewide Information Management Manual.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Poppy: California's Digital Assistant - A Generative AI solution designed by and for California state employees, aiming to enhance government operations through an efficient, secure, and cost-effective AI environment.
• CALNET
• MMBI

Products and services

• CALNET (California Network and Telecommunications Program) The California Network and Telecommunications (CALNET) Program provides telecommunications services, including voice, data, network, and managed services, to California state and local government agencies under a statewide contract administered by CDT.
• Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI) A large-scale public infrastructure program building the nation's largest publicly funded, open-access middle-mile broadband network (8,100-10,000 miles of fiber optic cable) to provide high-speed internet to underserved communities. Available to local ISPs, municipalities, and tribal governments for last-mile service delivery.
• Poppy: California's Digital Assistant A generative AI solution designed by and for California state employees, built on ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, that enhances government operations through efficient, secure, and cost-effective AI assistance for searching policies and answering government-related questions.
• Digital ID Framework (including California Identity Gateway) A comprehensive framework enabling secure online identity verification for Californians accessing government services, including the California Identity Gateway and Access California tools that verify various identity attributes and integrate with federal and state systems.
• DROP (Delete Request and Opt-out Platform) The first government-built platform enabling Californians to submit a single deletion request to data brokers to opt out of the sale of their personal information, developed by CDT in partnership with the California Privacy Protection Agency.
• Cloud Services (CCS) Various cloud services provided by CDT to state agencies, including cloud provider interconnect, platform hosting, and cloud smart initiatives for migrating workloads to cloud platforms.
• CA Government Enterprise Network (CGEN) Statewide government enterprise network infrastructure service providing high-capacity network connectivity for California state agencies.
• Security Operations Center as a Service (SOCaaS) Managed security operations center service providing 24/7 monitoring for advanced cyber threats to California state agencies and entities.
• Tenant Managed Services (TMS) Statewide co-location service offering for state agencies providing managed data center colocation and hosting services.
• Information Technology Leadership Academy CDT's flagship leadership academy for public sector IT professionals, running for over 30 years, developing IT leaders across California state government.
• Project Management Leadership Academy (PMLA) Leadership academy for IT professionals seeking to expand project management and leadership skills within California state government.
• Information Security Leadership Academy (ISLA) Academy preparing candidates for Information Security Officer, Agency Information Security Officer, or expanded security roles within California state government.
• Digital Services Innovation Academy Program introducing tools and skills for transforming business problems from concept to product using modern digital service development principles for California state government staff.
• GenAI Boot Camp Boot camp for public sector professionals building practical GenAI skills with responsible use practices, hands-on applications, and innovative approaches to public sector challenges. FY 2024-25 reached over 1,105 participants across 100+ state departments and local governments.
• Envision 2026 (Statewide Technology Strategic Plan) Statewide technology strategic plan outlining CDT's commitment to being guardian of public data, leader in IT services and solutions, with responsibilities over policy formation, inter-agency coordination, IT project oversight, and technology service delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 vulnerabilities identified in a fraction of normal time using Claude AI
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• AnthropicflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026California joined Anthropic's cyber defense initiative offering up to $15 million in credits to help state, local, tribal, and territorial governments use Claude AI products to identify and remediate system vulnerabilities. California's security team already using Claude to surface 40 vulnerabilities.
• Karuk TribecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Joint-build agreement with Karuk Tribe for 46 miles of broadband infrastructure across tribal lands as part of the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative to expand high-speed internet access to underserved tribal communities.
• Gateway Cities Council of GovernmentscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Partnership for 73-mile stretch in southeast Los Angeles County to build middle-mile broadband network infrastructure connecting underserved communities.
• Bishop Paiute TribecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026The Bishop Paiute Tribe became the first customer to connect to California's Middle-Mile Broadband Network (MMBN), the nation's largest open-access middle-mile network. The tribe independently manages and operates its broadband service, including setting pricing and defining service offerings. The 423-mile segment runs from Barstow to the Nevada border along Highway 395.
• Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)flagshipTechnology or Integration · 16 March 2026Partnership to automate verification for CalFresh recipients applying for the Clipper START transit-discount program in San Francisco. Integration with CDT's Identity Gateway allows new applicants to get same-day approval, reducing administrative costs and enabling future expansion to other mobility programs.
• Spectrum BusinesscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 March 2026Spectrum Business expanded technology offerings under the CALNET contract, adding Managed Network Services, Unified Communications with RingCentral (cloud-hosted VoIP services), and direct fiber connectivity into the California Government Enterprise Network data center.
• CaltranscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with California Department of Transportation for middle-mile broadband infrastructure construction, including joint coordination on rights-of-way and infrastructure deployment.
• GoldenStateNetcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird-party administrator for the 8,185-mile middle-mile broadband network construction in partnership with CDT and Caltrans.
• California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDT leads the Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative in partnership with CPUC, which administers broadband grant programs including CASF Infrastructure Grant Account, Federal Funding Account, and BEAD programs with over $1.2 billion awarded across 122 projects.
• California Government Operations AgencyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDT operates under the California Government Operations Agency. The Secretary of Government Operations Agency oversees CDT. CDT was directed by the GovOps Agency to develop updated AI contracting processes and watermarking best practices per Executive Order N-5-26.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas Department of Information Resources: Texas DIR is the state's central IT organization providing statewide technology services, cybersecurity, and telecommunications to Texas state agencies and local governments—directly analogous to CDT's role in California.
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Technology Services and Security: EOTSS provides centralized IT, cybersecurity, and digital services for Massachusetts state government—a peer state agency serving the same central IT function for its state agencies and residents.
• New York State Office of Information Technology Services: NY ITS consolidates IT services for New York State government, providing shared services, cybersecurity, and digital identity—paralleling CDT's central IT service delivery model for state agencies.
• Colorado Office of Information Technology: Colorado OIT provides statewide IT services, infrastructure, and cybersecurity for Colorado state agencies—mirroring CDT's role as the consolidated state technology organization.
• Ohio Department of Administrative Services - Office of Information Technology: Ohio DAS OIT provides consolidated IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and shared services for Ohio state agencies—a state-government IT counterpart to CDT's central service model.
• Georgia Technology Authority: GTA provides enterprise IT services, network operations, and statewide technology strategy for Georgia state agencies—directly comparable to CDT's CALNET and shared services operations.
• Virginia Information Technologies Agency: VITA operates Virginia's state IT infrastructure, providing cybersecurity, network services, and shared IT services to state agencies—analogous to CDT's comprehensive service catalog and CALNET.
• Washington State Department of Enterprise Services: Washington DES provides consolidated enterprise services including IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and procurement for state agencies—analogous to CDT's central IT, procurement, and broadband roles.

Broad incumbents

• GSA Technology Transformation Services: GSA TTS delivers digital services, shared platforms, and procurement modernization for federal agencies—comparable to CDT's project delivery, procurement oversight, and shared services mandate.
• U.S. Digital Service: USDS leads federal digital service transformation and is led by alumni of CDT's CIO Chris Given, making it a federal-level peer in government digital service delivery and AI/policy leadership.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cadepttech
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/californiacio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-department-of-technology

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Department of Technology