The city of St. Joseph is going to be getting a cybersecurity audit.
At a meeting this week, City Manager Emily Hackworth said she isn’t aware of such an analysis ever being done in the community. She said they’re going to look at the current IT structure to identify any vulnerabilities or risks.
“I want to make sure that city staff and that I as a city manager understand what’s happening on our backend and ensure that we are as efficient as possible as well as as secure as possible,” Hackworth said.
Hackworth said it wasn’t easy to find a firm to conduct the audit, but staff eventually found CBIZ Cybersecurity and Audit Services, which does such work nationwide.
“They recommended conducting an assessment using the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework. They also recommended taking advantage of this opportunity to also look at the water plants operating technology.”
City Commissioner Michael Sarola said taking a look at the water plant’s IT security is a good idea, considering how it affects the entire community’s health.
Hackworth said the IT audit will cost $36,000, with $8,000 of that to be paid by the water plant and the rest from the city general fund. Commissioners then approved the contract.
