THOUGHTS & MUSINGS
From the ICAP Team
Another Week of Headlines Dominated by "Cyber Attack"
Another week of headlines dominated by cyber attack - and for good reason. Such attacks are here to stay, and public entities must be prepared for them. Join us for a webinar next Thursday, May 20, to help your entity get started on developing an adequate cyber plan.
I have a bad habit: I allow myself to get lost in the news every morning.
This habit doesn’t exactly feed my soul (where are the “good” headlines recently?!), but it does keep me current on what’s happening locally, as well as around the world.
Over the past week, I’ve observed the headlines, even globally, have largely been dominated by the ransomware attack that struck the Colonial Pipeline last week.
At this point, we all have a general understanding of what ransomware is. We also know such attacks are increasing, both in frequency and severity, and that municipal entities are increasingly becoming targets.
In an interview over the weekend, US Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo, stated, ransomware attacks “are here to stay and we have to work in partnership with businesses to secure- secure networks, to defend ourselves against these attacks.”
This is true for both private and public organizations, including Iowa public entities.
The thing is, it can be overwhelming trying to understand how we can protect ourselves against such attacks. I mean, where do we even begin to start?
Fortunately for the ICAP membership, Colette Klier, ICAP’s Senior Manager of IT Risk Control, will be providing us all a bit of guidance during a live webinar next Thursday, May 20, from 10-11 AM.
At this point, it’s clear all organizations should have a cyber plan. Join us via Zoom next Thursday and let Colette help your entity get started on one.
How to Use the Handbook Builder
I was recently made aware of a really great offering members have access to: an online Handbook Builder, which comes equipped with pre-developed sample documents, policy recommendations and so much more.
In my discussion with ICAP’s Risk Control team, I learned this offering is available to every member via the Pool’s Resource eLibrary (accessible via the “eLibrary Login” link at the top of this page.
I was curious about the offering, and felt I had to know more. Fortunately, Lindsay Gomez, one of ICAP’s Risk Control Specialists, was willing to share.
She put the video below together for us, so members can gain insight into the offering, as well. Take a look!
A Conversation About Marshalltown
After being struck by a tornado two years ago, and the derecho last year, the City of Marshalltown has just reopened its Veterans Memorial Coliseum. While they are celebrating the success, they know there is still much work yet to be done.
Meet Tom, ICAP Board Member and Representative for the City of Bellevue
We had the opportunity to sit down with Tom Roth, a longtime ICAP Board Member, several weeks ago.
Tom has a long history working with public entities, and is currently serving his second consecutive term on the Bellevue City Council. He’s proud of his involvement with the Pool, and is eager to share why.
Check out the video below to learn more!