When I was first called in to conduct an IT audit for a mid-sized city, what I uncovered was concerning – but not uncommon.
The city’s IT infrastructure had been cobbled together over time, with limited documentation and no clear policies in place for security, disaster recovery, or incident management. Critical systems were exposed:
- No enterprise-grade antivirus, antimalware, or antiransomware protection
- Backups stored on the same hardware as live files — and never tested
- No offsite or cloud backups
- Network and server environments undocumented
- Licensing expired on key systems
- No disaster recovery plan. No incident response plan.
I compiled a detailed report outlining the risks. I warned city leadership that in the event of a ransomware attack or hardware failure, they could face catastrophic data loss, service interruptions, and exorbitant recovery costs.
Then It Happened
A ransomware attack struck. Systems were locked down. Operations halted. Panic set in.
Fortunately, the city reached back out — and I immediately got to work:
- Remediation support to contain and mitigate the attack
- Cybersecurity upgrades, including enterprise endpoint protection and network hardening
- Implementation of robust, tested, offsite backup systems
- Development of disaster recovery and incident management policies
- Partnership with a managed service provider to ensure documentation, proactive monitoring, and responsive support
This wasn’t just damage control — it was the beginning of a transformation. Today, the city is better prepared, more resilient, and less vulnerable to future threats.
The Lesson: IT Audits Aren’t Optional — They’re Essential
IT issues don’t always announce themselves until it’s too late. Many local governments and organizations believe their systems are “fine” — until a cyberattack, hardware failure, or human error reveals otherwise.
An IT audit is the first step toward:
- Understanding your current infrastructure
- Identifying vulnerabilities before attackers do
- Creating a roadmap to improve performance, reliability, and security
And if the worst does happen, you need a partner who can respond quickly, minimize damage, and guide your recovery — not just technically, but strategically.
How I Can Help
If you’re responsible for technology in a city, nonprofit, or organization, I offer:
- Comprehensive IT audits
- Cybersecurity assessments
- Disaster recovery and incident response planning
- Backup and continuity solutions
- Remediation and recovery consulting
- Vendor selection and oversight for MSPs
Don’t wait for a disaster to force action. Let’s make sure your systems — and your city — are ready.
Contact me today to schedule a consultation or learn more about my services.