Council renews cybersecurity contract as software support nears expiration

Columbia Borough Council on Feb. 10 approved renewal of a contract for infrastructure firewalls and network switches to maintain software support scheduled to lapse in March.

Manager Brahma told council the project has been pending for more than two years and that the borough must act quickly or lose vendor support. The quoted amount discussed at the meeting was $23,000; staff said the vendor’s quote expires Feb. 28 and that ordering hardware now could require a down payment or credit arrangement. Several councilors said they were concerned about cash-flow timing and preferred staff seek payment terms that allow payment after installation if possible. Others stressed the borough must protect sensitive police and municipal data and that network security cannot be deferred.

Council moved to renew the contract; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Council asked staff to coordinate timing with anticipated incoming grant/draw funds so as to minimize immediate cash impact.