DEPARTMENT: Information Technology
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Proclamation Of October 2022 As Cyber Security Awareness Month
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Proclaim October 2022 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance have traditionally designated October as Cyber Security Awareness Month. The National Association of Counties is encouraging member counties to also promote Cyber Security Awareness Month to bring attention to the increasing cyber security threats all levels of governments and residents are facing.
Dakota County provides a wide variety of services that expose the County to many types of sensitive information. Staff work with health care and welfare records, criminal justice data, property and environmental records, financial and social security identifiers, information on veterans, minors and other staff. The nature of the information and data maintained by Dakota County puts Dakota County at significant risk of cyber-attacks.
Dakota County Information Technology Department (IT), with the support of the County Board and Senior Leadership Team, is continually working to improve our security defenses in response to escalating cyber threats. Cybersecurity threats have increased as bad actors try to take advantage of the shift towards remote and hybrid work environments. In response we have increased, and will continue to increase, our monitoring and reporting. All of these changes make the County network more secure from outside threats. Because human error is widely considered the cause of at least a quarter of all reportable security breaches, it is critical that everyone understand their role in securing personal and County information. To that end, the County has a robust training plan that requires employees to stay current on threats and their responsibility in mitigating them. This includes monthly simulated phishing emails to staff.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommend the County Board proclaim October 2022 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in Dakota County. To support the proclamation, staff will be assigned updated cybersecurity training and IT will post cyber security tips and information on DC Works.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, counties recognize the vital role that the internet and information technology play in their county staffs’ and residents’ daily lives; and
WHEREAS, counties understand that critical sectors are increasingly reliant on information systems to support financial services, energy, telecommunications, transportation, utilities, health care and emergency response systems; and
WHEREAS, internet users and the nation’s information infrastructure face an increasing threat of malicious cyber-attack, loss of privacy from spyware and adware, and significant financial and personal privacy losses due to identity theft and fraud; and
WHEREAS, maintaining the security of cyberspace is a shared responsibility in which everyone has a critical role, and awareness of computer security essentials will improve the security of Dakota County information infrastructure and economy; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance have promoted an annual National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and all government entities and citizens are encouraged to learn about cyber security and put that knowledge into practice in their homes, schools, workplaces, and businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims the month of October 2022 as Cyber Security Awareness Month in Dakota County.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☐ Discuss ☐ Involve ☒ N/A
CONTACT
Department Head: Dan Cater
Author: Dan Ferber