TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: March 18, 2024 Report No. FIN-24-008
TO: Council
FROM: Ian Irvine, Director of Financial Services and Information Technology
SUBJECT: Grant Application - Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council direct staff to submit a grant application for $7,000 to the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training Stream and authorize staff to execute any agreements related to a successful grant application, as outlined in Staff Report No. FIN-24-008.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This grant application has been completed to seek support for a cybersecurity tabletop exercise that is essential for enhancing the Township's resilience, improving incident response capabilities, and fostering a proactive security mindset. As part of the application process, UBCM requires a Council resolution confirming their support for the project.
BACKGROUND:
The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) is a suite of funding programs intended to enhance the resiliency of local governments and their residents in responding to emergencies. Funding is provided by the Province of BC and is administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM). The funding stream being applied for is "Emergency Support Services - Equipment and Training."
The Township has never dealt with a cybersecurity incident; thus staff has no experience going through this process. This exercise represents a training opportunity for staff and will result in an assessment of the Township's readiness in handling various cyber threats.
ANALYSIS:
The primary objective of this project is to conduct a cybersecurity tabletop exercise to assess the Township's preparedness against potential cyber threats. This exercise will be facilitated by a third-party consultant specializing in cybersecurity. The exercise is expected to provide valuable insights into our cybersecurity posture and will help t...
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