HomeMy WebLinkAbout#15 Information Technology Roadmap AGENDA ITEM #15
Public Utility District m
MEETING DATE: March 6, 2024
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Scott Crow, IT Director/CIO
SUBJECT: Information Technology Roadmap
APPROVED BY:
Brian C. Wright, General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive this report and provide input to staff.
BACKGROUND:
Upon the arrival of the new IT Director/CIO in 2022, with a wide range of experience
and a fresh perspective, a lengthy assessment was performed to ascertain the health
and needs of the Information Technology environment for the District. The discovery
phase included evaluations of the state of current systems, comparisons against best
practices and industry standards, review of existing documentation, and discussions
with many District staff. This assessment was a critical first step to understanding the
current state of the IT landscape to identify potential areas of improvement and align IT
strategies with the District's business objectives, adding value to the community we
serve. The goal of this assessment was to not only identify gaps and inefficiencies but
also to uncover opportunities for innovation and growth, and the insights gained from
this assessment has produced a strategic IT Roadmap that supports the organization's
mission and vision, while ensuring robust, secure, and efficient IT operations.
ANALYSIS AND BODY:
The assessment covered various aspects of the IT environment, including but not
limited to, hardware and software inventory, network and communication infrastructure,
data management practices, systems security and cybersecurity measures, IT
governance, and service delivery models. It also looked at the IT team's skills and
capabilities as well as the organization's IT policies and procedures. Following this IT
assessment, there were many necessary major initiatives identified across four key
categories:
1. District Systems/Applications - Systems and applications that have an effect
on the entire district or are of such importance that a failure would be
catastrophic to a major component of District business. Although there are
many systems/applications at the District that fit this definition, the initiatives
mainly include SCADA, GIS, NISC for financials, operations, enterprise, and
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customer service, as well as the Microsoft 365 environment for Office products,
endpoint detection and response, security, email, and collaboration.
2. Cybersecurity - The protection of hardware, software, and data that are
exposed to the Internet from malicious cyber threats and attacks. This protection
comes in the form of policies, procedures, and systems put into place to prevent
unauthorized access to an organization's data centers and other computerized
systems.
3. Infrastructure - The underlying components that together allow for the systems
and applications to work. These components include the networking
(fundamental), servers, inside/outside cable plant, computer workstations,
storage, and other communication infrastructure such as cellular equipment and
radios.
4. Operations - The support and maintenance functions for all IT systems and user
support. This includes the processes, procedures, as well as the labor that is
used to maintain the network, applications, servers, data centers, and
workstations. The initiatives for this category are focused on productivity
improvements and IT best practices.
The IT Director/CIO's analysis and subsequent initiatives demonstrate a strategic and
holistic approach to guiding the District's Information Technology environment and
positioning the District for success in its mission to serve the community. This
informational workshop will present the IT Roadmap for a future-ready IT landscape.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
District Code 1.05.020 Objectives:
1. Responsibly serve the public.
3. Provide reliable and high quality water supply and distribution system to meet
current and future needs.
4. Provide reliable and high quality electric supply and distribution system to meet
current and future needs.
6. Manage the District in an effective, efficient and fiscally responsible manner.
District Code 1.05.030 Goals:
1. Manage for Financial Stability and Resiliency
2. Environmental Stewardship: Create a sustainable resilient environment for all our
communities.
4. Take the best of private sector thinking to modernize the utility and add value to our
communities.
5. Developing an inclusive culture drives organizational integration and success.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this informational workshop.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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