Common Council OKs New Cybersecurity System
The Common Council appropriated funds for new cybersecurity services at its April 8th meeting in the wake of a January “ransomware” attack on the city’s information technology operations.
Approved was a three-year agreement with Cowbell MDR (Managed Detection and Response) for information technology (IT) systems at City Hall as part of the restoration and upgrades being implemented by the Sanchez administration since the January 28th attack. The City IT network was breached paralyzing phones and computers across departments. Officials said emergency services were not impaired, only internal systems in the municipal government. The city is providing credit monitoring and identify protection services for employees. To date “the scope of any potential impact remains under active review.”
Immediately after the incident on January 30th, Mayor Bobby Sanchez announced that the IT department responded to contain damage. “We are working closely with state and federal partners, law enforcement, and outside cybersecurity expert. to investigate the incident and restore systems safely and securely,” Sanchez said.
According to the April 8th resolution introduced by Council President and Ward 5 Alderman Francisco Santiago, Cowbell MDR “is a fully managed detection and response service that provides continuous monitoring, threat detection, and response across endpoint, identity and cloud applications.” The MDR “gives 24/7 visibility into potential threats and support to investigate and contain issues before they escalate.”
The Cowbell MDR system aligns with security improvements deemed necessary by the city’s cyber insurance coverage and includes a “$25,000 breach response fund” with the acquisition that adds “an extra layer of protection operationally and financially.” The Council authorized the city to engage the Cowbell MDR service with a three-year agreement at $66,000 a year, funds available in a maintenance contract account in the the Department of Support Services.
New Britain Recognizes Earth Day 56; Re-Commits to Sustainability, Environmental Protection
The city’s commitment to preserving natural resources and sustainability was affirmed this month with a resolution recognizing Earth Day. April 22nd marks the 56th anniversary of the first Earth Day. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson is credited with mobilizing environmentalists to start Earth Day in 1970 after a disastrous oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA and unchecked air ans water pollution. The movement led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Ward 3 Alderwoman Candyce Scott introduced the resolution that “promotes conservation, energy efficiency and
the study of the use of clean energy sources” in municipal government and throughout the community. It notes city actions in recent years to promote conservation including use of solar at the New Britain Water Treatment facility and school buildings as they come up for modernization. The city is also updating its zoning ordinances to reflect environmental concerns when new developments occur.
The resolution encourages partnerships among local businesses, schools and organizations to help raise awareness of preserving the environment and preservation of the city’s parks and open spaces. Toward this end the city in recent years has begun to adopt zoning changes that minimize the risk of flooding amid climate change and to ensure new developments and uses of land promote sustainability.
The renewed local commitment to environmental protection comes as the White House and Congressional Republicans have moved to gut protections and discourage use of alternative energy sources in favor of fossil fuels. Groups such as Third Act Connecticut, an organization of older Americans founded by Environmentalist Bill McKibben, are mobilizing locally on environmental and democracy issues.
Funds for Summer Road Paving Approved
The Department of Public Works (DPW) will be announcing streets selected for the annual paving program soon with funds appropriated by the Common Council this month. A total of $2 million is available from the state town aid program and an additional one percent in the city budget for roads.
Under the state’s cooperative purchasing program Tilcon, Inc. has been awarded $1,175,000 for bituminous concrete materials and installation and Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming another $225,000 for the milling and repaving. According to the DPW the Pavement Management Programs is typically based on assigning roads a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) value in selecting the limited number of the city’s 165 miles of roads that can be upgraded each year because of the limitation of funds. In lieu of re-paving patching and sealing addresses potholes and other problems on a case by case basis. The 2026 schedule is expected to be posted online to alert residents with daily reports on progress during the warm weather months.
Ward 4 Alderman John McNamara is the Common Council Majority Leader. For more information john.mcnamara@newbritain.ct.gov and 860-416-0665
NB Politicus 