Grant sought for cyber security

County commissioners approved a plan Monday to pursue grant funding to help cover costs and potential improvements to the county’s cyber security system.
The unanimous vote to proceed came after a brief presentation by Ryan Wineteer, business development manager at Hamilton Telecommunications. Wineteer noted that Nebraska was awarded $2.5 million in federal funding to address cyber security concerns, a certain percentage of which is earmarked for local government.
“Their objective for funding this year is to get an assessment of where you are (in terms of cyber security) and then fix any areas of concern, so that’s the funding model the state is looking to for state and local government,” Wineteer explained. “Bad actors are always finding a way to get in so you never meet your peak.”
The process begins with an assessment of the county’s cyber security, which includes checking the computer firewall to try and determine who might be able to get into the system, and how, he explained. That assessment includes a look at internal vulnerability, reviewing that if someone were to get into the county’s system what information would they have access to.
“Our assessment would include a list of remediation,” he reported, listing possible solutions as including hardware, software, backups and error gaps to the cloud. “We’ve done this with other government entities (including 911 networks) and helped remediate all of those. No matter how well you run your network, you probably have some vulnerability.”
Wineteer advised the board that preliminary grant application work has already begun on what he called a multi-jurisdictional funding model. He estimated the cost for phase one assessment would be approximately $25,000.
“With this grant funding the first phase will pay up to 90 percent, with the remaining 10 percent of that local match,” he said. “The tricky part is the scoring.”
Wineteer explained that the grant requires multi-jurisdictional coverage, which means the county cannot be the sole beneficiary. He then asked if the county would be willing to include the city and/or area villages in the assessment and grant application, since a broader scope of service could improve the score, and ultimately the chances of receiving grant funds.
“I would suggest you reach out to the city if that gives us a better chance with the more jurisdictions that get involved,” said Commissioner Nichole SaBell.
Commissioner Francis McDonald also suggested that the area village offices be contacted.
Wineteer also noted that the application is due at the end of April, with the application itself not to cost the county, city or villages any money, as Hamilton is providing that service free of charge.
After commissioners voted to proceed with Hamilton’s grant application, county administrator Scott Stuhr confirmed that the item qualifies as professional services, thus the county does not need to seek bids. He also reported that he has learned of a push to migrate government entities toward .gov computer domains, especially in an effort to prevent voter fraud. He also noted recommendations to shift move toward a Microsoft 365 environment, which sets up strong password requirements, including two-factor identification.
In other action, Kirt Smith have commissioners an update on the county’s emergency services, noting that last week was Severe Weather Awareness Week. He reported a number of efforts to address emergency preparedness, including an exercise at the Aurora hospital last week, with a full-scale emergency exercise also scheduled at the Koch plant in June.
Smith said work has begun to convert the local emergency operations plan from a paper copy to an online document. He also said he is working on combining emergency training with various departments, including EMS, fire and local law enforcement.
In other action, the board:
* approved a contract with Ahearn to inspect and test the courthouse sprinkler system;
* approved reimbursement to International Sensor Systems Inc. for $111,651. It was reported that the company has now received $552,802 toward it’s $1 million matching grant.