1. Authorize the use of IT Innovation funds for the purchase Okta, an identity management system that will provide an additional layer of identity verification for County systems;
    
2. Adopt budget resolution adjusting the General Services Department, Information Technology Division 2018-19 budget to reflect an increase of $63,704; and
    
3. Approve amendment to the General Services Department 2018-19 authorized equipment list.

 

Major retail chains, banks, health insurers, local, state and federal government: All are recent victims of data breaches putting confidential and private information at significant risk.  With the recent crippling attacks against Baltimore and Imperial County we need to embrace new innovative ways to strengthen our security posture.  As the county adopts more cloud based services and our traditional IT footprint expands, we must deliver a platform that can unify these disparate systems, improve security, and enhance user experience all without impeding progress and innovation.

We are recommending Okta to enhance our identity management practices within the county in 3 distinct areas.
 

• The majority of confirmed breaches are due to weak or stolen passwords.  With Okta we will be able to fortify this vulnerability by providing an additional layer of identification known as a one-time password.  This will significantly reduce the risk associated with the use of just username/password combinations.
   
• Okta will give us the ability to consolidate multiple different identification systems into one master system.  Known as Single Sign On, users will no longer need to remember separate passwords for separate systems.  This will reduce the risk of writing down passwords and the risks associated with using the same password across several systems.


• Okta will provide a one stop user portal for access into any system that supports modern day authentication.