TribalHub's 2026 Tribal Technology & Infrastructure Readiness

TribalHub's 2026 Tribal Technology & Infrastructure Readiness Survey
PURPOSE

This survey aims to benchmark the current state of technology across Indian Country to advocate for better resource allocation and infrastructure support. Results will only be shared in a de-identified, aggregate format (e.g., '60% of respondents plan to invest in AI-driven cybersecurity'). By participating, your tribe maintains ownership of its specific data. The aggregate report belongs to the collective respondents.

WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THIS SURVEY

This survey is best completed by an IT leader, with minimal support or input from a tribal administrator as needed. Only representatives of a tribe or tribal enterprise may participate.

INCENTIVE TO PARTICIPATE

Each participant who fully completes the survey will receive a digital, customized “Peer Tribe Comparison Report” showing where they sit relative to similar tribes across the nation.

INFORMATION

Please complete all questions to the best of your knowledge, and for any/all the tribal verticals/sectors that you are representing in your responses (see question #1 below for verticals/segments).

For any questions using “scale of 1-5”: “1” will always be the lowest/worst/least, and “5” will indicate the highest/excellent/most.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Job Title*
Tribe*
Account ID
1. Which primary Tribal sectors are you representing in your responses? (Select all that apply)*

Tribal Government / AdministrationHealth & Human Services (IHS/638)Gaming & HospitalityEconomic Development / Other Enterprises (Retail, Ag, Energy)
2. Top Technology/IT Leader Reports Directly to:*

Tribal Board/CouncilTribal AdministratorCEOGMCFOOther
3. Estimated Number of Total Employees across all sectors you are representing:*

1 - 100101 - 500501 - 10001001 - 2500Greater than 2500Don’t Know
4. Estimated Number of full-time Technology/IT Employees across all sectors you are representing:*

01-56-2021-4041-7576-150More than 150Don't Know
5. Which statement best describes the current state of technology and service delivery that your technology resources are able to provide:*

We are mostly fighting “fires” and break-fix focused each dayWe have achieved solid stability and have mostly maintenanceWe are stable, trusted and beginning to shift to professionally delivered strategic technology projectsWe are stable, trusted and IT leadership is mostly able to focus on innovation and strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals
6. Access to Broadband and Connectivity: How would you rate the current access to broadband/fiber infrastructure on a scale of 1–5 for Tribal Citizens on tribal land/property & Enterprises*

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Worst, 5 is Best
7. Which best describes your current Hardware & Cloud environment and stance?*

Primarily On-Premise ServersHybrid Environment (Mix of cloud and on-prem infrastructure)Full Cloud whenever possible (Azure, AWS, Google)Don't Know
8. Technology Budgeting: Our Technology Budget for 2026 is (select the best response):*

About the same as 2025LESS than 2025Slightly higher than 2025Significantly higher than 2025Don’t Know
9. Technology Budgeting: Most of our total technology budget is designated towards (select the best response):*

People - Our own technology employeesHardware/Software/Maintenance costsThird-Party Technology Services and SupportA fairly even distribution between all of the aboveDon't Know
10. This next section covers Critical Systems and Infrastructure Status. Which technology platforms are currently in a "Renewal", “Add”, or "Replacement" phase for 2026? (Complete these next sections for the tribal sectors you are representing and select all that apply):

10a. Core Technology Systems (across any/all tribal verticals/sectors):*

Rows	Select
ERP / Financial Systems
Purchasing Systems
Facility Management Systems
Core Network Infrastructure (Routers/Switches)
Wi-Fi Infrastructure (inside or outside facilities)
Backup and Restore Hardware or Software
None
Don't Know

10b. Cybersecurity Infrastructure:*

Rows	Select
Next-Gen Firewall
Security Operations Center (SOC) - internal or outsourced
Identity and Password Management (IAM)
Security Awareness Products and Services
Penetration Testing Services
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Business Email Compromise (BEC) Solutions
Data Governance Software
End-Point Detection Response (EDR)
Third Party Outsourced Cyber services of any kind
None
Don't Know

10c. Health Specific Technology Systems:*

Rows	Select
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
Contract Health and Related Systems
Social Services Management Systems
Pharmacy
Dental
TeleHealth Systems
None
Don't Know

10d. Gaming & Hospitality Specific Technology Systems:*

Rows	Select
Casino Management Systems (CMS)
Multi-Function Kiosks
Property (Hotel) Management Systems
Point-of-Sale
Table Games Management Systems
CRM and/or Data Analysis Systems
Cashless or Digital Wallet Systems
Mobile Marketing and Customer Apps
Digital Content and Distribution Management Systems
Loyalty Platforms
None
Don't Know

10e. Tribal Government Specific Technology Systems:*

Rows	Select
Citizen Portals / Enrollment Software
Police or Fire Management Systems
Tribal Court Management
Emergency Management and Response
Document or Contract Management
Grant Management Systems
Security and Surveillance Systems
Broadband and Fiber infrastructure
None
Don't Know

11. Do you currently have a clearly communicated clean/green energy plan, initiative, or policy in place?*

YesNoDon't Know
12. Do you currently produce at least some of your own energy, or is there a strategy to begin to do so in the next 12 months:*

YesNoDon't Know

12a. Please check all methods implemented/planned for energy production and delivery to tribal infrastructure:*

Rows	Select
Wind
Solar
Coal
Oil & Gas
Geothermal
Nuclear
None
Don't Know

13. On a scale of 1-5, please rate your assessment of your cyber readiness and maturity level across all your tribe’s sectors:*

1

2

3

4

5

1 is Worst, 5 is Best
14. Dedicated Resources: How many dedicated cybersecurity full-time resources do you currently employ?*

01-23-56-1213 or moreDon't Know
15. Cybersecurity Frameworks: Does your organization closely follow a specific framework? (check the best answer):*

NISTCISZero-TrustISONo Specific Framework AdoptedHybrid/CombinationDon't KnowOther

16. Cybersecurity Measures: Which of the following do you have currently deployed?*

Rows	Select
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) across all sectors
Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR/MDR)
Security Operations Center (SOC) – Internal or Outsourced
Security Awareness Training
Incident Response Plan
Table-Top Training and Testing Exercises
Third-Party Vulnerability and/or Penetration Testing
Data Classification and Governance Program
None
Don't Know

17. Cyber Insurance: Have you been denied coverage or have your premiums increased by more than 20% in the last 24 months? (Yes/No/Don’t Know):*

YesNoDon't Know
18. AI Adoption State: Which best describes your Tribe's current stance on Artificial Intelligence?*

Exploring: Researching use cases but no implementation.Piloting: Testing AI in one or two areas (e.g., Health diagnostics or Gaming marketing).Operational: Actively using AI in multiple daily workflows.Cautious: Intentionally avoiding AI due to sovereignty/privacy concerns.Don't Know
19. Have you created and implemented an organization-wide AI “Acceptable Use” policy?*

YesNoDon't Know

20. Planned AI Investments for 2026: *

Rows	Select
AI-powered Cybersecurity (i.e Threat Hunting)
Generative AI for Administration Services (Document drafting, Translation, etc.)
Personal Assistant Services
Predictive Analytics for any customer type data
Virtual Health Assistants or Patient Triage
Other
None
Don't Know

21. Workforce Needs: What is your biggest IT and/or Cybersecurity resource hurdle?*

Rows	Select
Recruiting specialized technology talent
Budgeting for competitive salaries
Retaining current technology resources
Upskilling current staff
Other
None
Don't Know

22. Training Goals: Does your 2026 technology budget include investment in any of the following? (Please select all that apply)*

Rows	Select
Technology Team Leadership Development (e.g., CTTP program)
Team Member Specific Product/Software Certifications
Purchase of Online Training
Other
None
Don't Know

Should be Empty:

TribalHub's 2026 Tribal Technology & Infrastructure Readiness Survey