City to apply for state cybersecurity protection program — no cost first year

The commission unanimously authorized the city manager to apply for a state-supported cybersecurity-protection program after staff explained the application and service benefits.

According to staff, the program would tie the city into a state vendor network and provide additional monitoring and incident-response services above current firewall protections; the state pays the vendor directly for the service in the initial year. Staff emphasized there is no direct cost to the city for the first year and that the program provides options for extended services the city could elect to purchase later.

Commissioners asked for assurance that the program complements existing Palo Alto firewall protections. Staff confirmed the program is additive and recommended applying before the state deadline.