Resilient Infrastructure​

Summary of objective implementation status (achievements or progress over last year; significant delays or issues, etc.)

FOCUS AREA ONE: COMMUNICATIONS TOWER AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS

Public Infrastructure has been working on several projects to improve infrastructure needs at various locations.  The County’s system of communications sites are critical to relaying communications signals for law enforcement agencies, fire and emergency services. For example, in 2023 the County retrofitted the tower on Mt. St. Helena, negotiated with AT&T to improve cell service in underserved areas, and installed generators at communication towers. In 2024 the County will upgrade the communications equipment on Pine Mountain, and continue expanding the digital mobile radio program.

FOCUS AREA TWO: TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

The Information Systems Department has focused on several initiatives to enhance infrastructure resiliency as well as address the heightened Cybersecurity threat landscape that continues to target government agencies. The Information Systems Department is focused on the following initiatives that are currently underway:

• Microsoft Office 365 Deployment – On track for completion by June 2024. Details regarding this project are highlighted in Resilient Infrastructure Implementation Plan 1.3.
• Hybrid Cloud Design Advisory
  • This is a multi-phase project to develop a road map for integrating cloud services with the County of Sonoma network.
• Cybersecurity
  • To meet the ongoing and increasing demands in the realm of Cybersecurity, the following RFPs have been completed:
    • SIEM and 24/7 Cybersecurity Monitoring
      • Deploy a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system and implement a 24/7 incident and response managed service.
    • IT Security and Consulting Services
      • Being a resource to provide best practice guidance and other cybersecurity-related advice, including cloud computing, business continuity, and risk management.
      • Consulting on architecture, industry trends, technology, etc.
      • Supporting ISD with both strategic and tactical planning.
      • Guidance and assistance with researching and applying for grants.

Key milestone update (include relevant metrics, if applicable)

FOCUS AREA ONE: COMMUNICATIONS TOWER AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS

Mt. St. Helena Tower Retrofit – Complete

Base Station Radios: Complete

Network Management System: Complete

FOCUS AREA TWO: TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

The following are key milestones that have been achieved:

• Microsoft Office 365 Deployment
  • E-mail migration completed June 8, 2022
  • Teams, OneDrive, Sharepoint Online, and Office 365 Desktop Suite deployment completed June 2023
  • Data migration to Teams and Sharepoint Online is in progress with a projected completion date of June 2024

• • • Focus will be on the highest priority data as identified by County departments

• Hybrid Cloud Design Advisory
  • Phase 1 focused on discovery and documentation of current state architecture. This has been completed.
  • Phase 2 focused on strategic goals, hybrid cloud technology solutions, cost analysis, and development of a road map for future state technical architecture. This has been completed.
  • Phase 3
    • Phase 3 to begin Jan 2024
    • Review proposed technical architecture and financial impact
    • Begin Proof of Concept (PoC) phase to test and evaluate the proposed technology
    • Future activities contingent on the outcome of cost analysis and PoC
  • Cybersecurity
    • SIEM and 24/7 Cybersecurity Monitoring RFP successfully awarded.

• • • Awarded April 18, 2023

• IT Security and Consulting Services RFP successfully awarded.

• • • Awarded Nov 7, 2023

Coordination and partnership update

FOCUS AREA ONE: COMMUNICATIONS TOWER AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS

The County continues to coordinate closely with fellow agencies and communications service providers to maximize investments in communications infrastructure.

FOCUS AREA TWO: TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

Several ISD executive and management level staff attended the California Counties Information Services Directors Association (CCISDA) conference from Oct 29 to Nov 1, 2023. This conference is attended by IT executives from 58 counties within California to share ideas and solutions with our peers on common challenges and initiatives. Several discussions and workshops detailed the challenges that Counties are facing regarding resiliency and Cybersecurity. Future goals include collaboration with cities within Sonoma County to share lessons learned with the Microsoft Office 365 deployment and discuss projects related to Cloud services and Cybersecurity.

Community, equity and climate update

The goal of the Resilient Infrastructure Pillar is to ensure that essential services will be provided to Sonoma County residents – and the agencies that serve them – in the event of disaster. Communications infrastructure, collaboration tools, critical applications, and many more require the ability to be available at all times, regardless of the circumstances. Additionally, these objectives will reduce the carbon footprint of the data center as services are shifted to a Cloud-based infrastructure. The effort to shift additional data center services to the Cloud will begin in Jan. 2024.

Funding narrative (If this objective received Strategic Plan funding in year 1 or year 2, please provide a status of expenditures to date.)

FOCUS AREA ONE: COMMUNICATIONS TOWER AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS

The Board of Supervisors awarded the Sheriff’s Office $356,000 for the Emergency Base radio project, $136,000 for the Network Management System Replacement and $70,000 for the Microwave Backhaul Replacement. The Microwave Backhaul Replacement project will not move forward due to a lack of suitable technology solutions.

FOCUS AREA TWO: TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

The recommendations from the Hybrid Cloud Design Advisory have been reviewed to determine the potential fiscal impact and financial needs for future initiatives. Funding associated with the Hybrid Cloud Design Advisory for Fiscal Year 23-24 has been approved with the following allocations:

• $240k for One Time Costs
  • Utilized for Professional Services and software/hardware as needed
• $130k for Ongoing Costs
  • Utilized for subscription costs associated with Cloud services and telecommunications circuit charges

Funding associated with the Cybersecurity Monitoring and IT Security and Consulting Services currently exists within ISD’s budget and provides the appropriate revenue source for these services. No additional funds are requested to complete this initiative.