Agenda Item Wording:
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Information Services Department Grant Authorization - Confirm the submission of a grant application for the 2024 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for updated security appliances and applications in an amount not to exceed $250,000, to accept the grant and appropriate the amount, up to $250,000, if the grant is awarded.
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Deadline for Action: 10/7/2024
Submitting Department: Finance and Technology Services
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Chris Terry, Information Systems Analyst, 559-713-4018 chris.terry@visalia.city
John Howson, IS Manager, 559-713-4122 john.howison@visalia.city
Renee Nagel, Finance & Technology Director, 559-713-4375 renee.nagel@visalia.city
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends City Council confirm the submission of the submission of a grant application to apply for the 2024 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) administered by California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for updated security appliances and applications in an amount not to exceed $250,000, to accept the grant and appropriate the amount, up to $250,000, if the grant is awarded.
Background Discussion:
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) provides state and local governments and federally recognized tribal nations, with funding to address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems and improve security of critical infrastructure and resilience of the services these entities provide to their communities.
On August 29, 2024 staff were notified that this grant was available through Cal OES. After reviewing the grant proposal staff identified two existing CIP projects that overlapped with the grant requirements. The grant would potentially provide funding to replace and update the City’s firewall appliances and security logging and monitoring systems. The grant had a submission deadline of September 27, 2024. Staff submitted a tentative proposal to be considered for ranking and scoring. If the proposal scores high the grant would be awarded. Selected grant applications will be awarded an amount up to $250,000. Because of the tight timelines between notification of the grant and the submission deadline, the application was submitted without formal Council approval. When this does occur, staff comes to Council and requests confirmation of the submission.
In an increasingly online world, protecting digital infrastructure is vital to the City’s ability to deliver essential services to residents. Maintaining up to date security equipment and having systems in place to log and monitor threats help identify and combat a range of cybersecurity threats. New systems are better equipped to detect and thwart malicious actors and identify and reduce attack vectors.
Fiscal Impact:
If awarded, staff requests appropriation of the grant amount, up to $250,000, from the General Fund to purchase security equipment and software. This amount will be reimbursed by the 2024 2024 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: Deny the request and do not appropriate funding if the grant is awarded. These projects would be funded by the CIP project already established.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to confirm the submittal of a grant application for the 2024 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) administered by California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) for updated security appliances and applications in an amount not to exceed $250,000, to accept the grant and appropriate the amount, up to $250,000, if the grant is awarded.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: FY 2024_SL Program CFO_VisaliaCity.pdf