The City of Norman has received a grant of nearly $700,000 through the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity Grant Program. The City Council approved the grant last Tuesday. The funds will be used to strengthen the city's cybersecurity defenses and improve key infrastructure and services in Norman, according to the City of Norman.
Kari Madden, who leads the Information Technology Department’s cybersecurity efforts, shared that this is the first time Norman has received such a grant. "We were really excited to hear news of being selected," Madden said. The grant will allow the department to purchase backup programs and hire a Cybersecurity Technician to strengthen the city's digital security, as reported by the City of Norman.
The Information Technology Department in Norman is responsible for safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring the security and reliability of the City’s systems. The department is working to replace outdated data backup systems as part of its efforts to strengthen these defenses. Tim Powers, the Director of Information Technology, expressed confidence in the impact of the funding: "This funding will put us in an even better position to continue supporting public officials and community members in terms of providing topnotch cybersecurity and seamless digital services." Additionally, the City plans to hire a new Cybersecurity Technician to address potential security threats and protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its network and systems, as stated by the City of Norman.
