11 months ago by Scott Hardy
IT Director Corey Dean submitted report to Aldermen about steps taken after the May 7, 2022 attack.
The Quincy City Council have received a report on the state of the city's computer network, just over a year after it was hacked. Scott Hardy has more.
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IT Director Corey Dean submitted a report to the Council before the meeting Monday night, which included an update on the progress his department has made in preparing to prevent another hack. After the meeting, Dean said he has confidence in what his department has done over the past year to get ready.
( Corey Dean :11 )
In a 9-page report given to Aldermen, Dean outlined how the city upgraded both software and hardware after the attack. That included new computers and laptops, upgrading the city's email system to a cloud-based system, a new firewall and implementing multi-factor authentication for all users. Dean also said in the report that part of the training given to city employees involved the IT staff sending out a spoof email showing the dangers involved. After the meeting, Dean said the email opened employees' eyes.
( Corey Dean :15 )
Dean also says in the report that the IT Department's budget is up by 58 per cent, thanks to two new employees, and additional maintenance costs for newly implemented tech solutions. The city lost the use of its' email and billing systems after the cyber-attack last May 7th. Dean's report is available below. The Council approved a short-term loan of up to $2 million to Quincy Transit Lines from the General Fund to cover operating expenses. QTL has taken similar loans in the past, and paid the money back to the city when it received its' state and Federal funding.
