IT RISK ASSESSMENT
The client, a local city government, comprised of various departments including administration, public works, and the police force, is a critical entity serving a diverse community through its 125 employees spread across five locations. Engaged directly with both city officials and the alderman, our task was to address a significant challenge: the absence of a formal IT Risk Assessment for over a decade. This period of oversight had resulted in no documented IT processes or plans, a situation exacerbated by a high turnover rate within their IT department. Recognizing the urgent need to evaluate their existing IT infrastructure and practices, the city aimed to conduct a thorough assessment before committing to any substantial IT investments.
Faced with a decade-long lack of formal IT evaluation and the challenges of high departmental turnover, the city government had three primary objectives for the IT Risk Assessment. First, they sought to ensure that their IT landscape was secure and free from vulnerabilities that could disrupt municipal operations. This was critical in safeguarding the data integrity and operational continuity of vital city services. Second, the assessment aimed to thoroughly evaluate the risks associated with the current IT infrastructure and explore the potential benefits of transitioning to a cloud-based infrastructure. This shift was considered as a means to enhance flexibility, scalability, and possibly reduce costs. Lastly, the city intended to benchmark their IT spending against similar-sized organizations to determine if their current investment levels were appropriate and efficient. By addressing these goals, the city hoped to gain a clear understanding of their IT environment, enabling informed decision-making for future technology investments and strategies.
By clearly defining these objectives, the city hoped to achieve a comprehensive understanding of their current IT framework and make informed decisions that would strengthen their technological infrastructure and governance, paving the way for a more efficient and compliant future.