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Consider approving Resolution No. 2024-030 authorizing the application to the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) through the Office of the Governor; and take appropriate action.
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BACKGROUND:
The Texas Department of Information Services released a reimbursable grant opportunity for local governments to apply for funding to support technology efforts that address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems owned and operated by local governments.
In the past, the City of Farmers Branch Innovation & Technology (IT) has conducted a security assessment and external penetration test through a third-party vendor. It has been several years since the security assessment was completed, and the previous penetration test focused on targeting the City's external assets and perimeter.
This would be the first cyber security grant the City is submitting an application for funding. The project City staff has identified for the grant application is the Farmers Branch IT Security Assessment and Penetration Testing Grant Project.
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) application deadline is March 14, 2024.
If grant funding is awarded, this project would impact the Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 budget.
DISCUSSION:
With this grant application, the City will apply for funding to conduct a project that will review our current cybersecurity threat processes and highlight any areas of focus to improve upon in the coming years. One major goal of the project will be to conduct an internal penetration test to focus on high-risk assets and better prioritize future remediation and mitigation projects.
The grant application is currently open, and the City plans to apply by the March 14, 2024, deadline. Projects awarded under this grant will be eligible to begin after September 1, 2024.
The City plans to start the project, if awarded and accepted, after October 1, 2024, to align with the City's 2024 - 2025 Fiscal Year.
City staff p...
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