In 2016, the city experienced a network attack where a number of city servers were "locked" with the Crypto Virus.  The attack was contained and services were restored as quickly as our technology at the time allowed.  The only data loss was to PC at the Police Department.  After the event was over, city staff began searching for a solution to mitigate an incident like this in the future.  After testing a number of systems, Arctic Wolf Security Operations Center "SOC-as-a-Service"  was identified as the best option to help manage the city's internet security.  During fiscal year 2018, city staff moved our internet connection from Washoe County to the city's own connection.  Arctic Wolf became the city's first line of defense and has been succesful in stopping or mitigating cyber threats to the city.  

For several years the security team at Arctic Wolf has been quick to respond to problems and call as soon as a potential threat is identified by their systems.  After each incident, city staff meets to analyze the threat and risk of reoccurrence to identify and evaluate potential solutions. which is why we now track all logons to Office 365 outside of the United States.  The engineers work with city staff to keep our firewalls and security solutions working at the optimum level. 

The city added a redundant fire wall with an Arctic Wolf sensor to help keep our connections to the internet secure in the event of a firewall failure which allows city staff to switch to the backup firewall without waiting for equipment to ship next day from Arctic Wolf.  Cost for shipping emergency replacements are included in the city’s annual support.  The redundant sensor affords the city limited internet downtime due to security equipment failure.   

City staff continues to monitor our relationship with Arctic Wolf and add solutions and other options as need and suggested by the security engineers at Arctic Wolf.

NRS Chapter 332.115(h) exempts computer hardware and software items from competitive bid, and these purchases utilize the joinder provision allowed under NRS 332.195 and NASPO ValuePoint Contract (formerly known as the Western States Contracting Alliance or WSCA). The funds for the purchases described herein were approved by the City Council as part of the FY2020 IT General Fund budget.

Staff recommends that the city authorize purchasing our FY20 maintenance contract and licensing with Arctic Wolf in the amount of 54,302.40

1. City Council may choose  to approve purchasing from Arctic Wolf for the fiscal year 2020 maintenance contract and software licensing renewal.

2. City Council may choose not to approve purchasing from Arctic Wolf and provide further direction to the City Manager.

I move to approve the purchase of the fiscal year 2020 maintenance contract (AC-5593) and software licensing renewal from Arctic Wolf in the amount of $54,302.40