In a recent conversation with StateTech Magazine, Naples' Chief Information Officer, Hunter, outlined the city’s immediate IT priorities, highlighting a significant push towards enhancing their technology infrastructure with a focus on resiliency and redundancy. This strategic direction comes as Naples continues to grapple with challenges posed by natural disasters, particularly hurricanes, as well as the constant threat of cybersecurity breaches.
Hunter has emphasised the necessity of modernising Naples’ ageing IT equipment. “We are really on a theme of resiliency and redundancy,” he stated, detailing the city's plans to invest in contemporary technology that not only replaces outdated systems but also ensures sustainable operational continuity for the future. The city is actively creating redundancy within its data centre operations, including the establishment of a mirrored data centre. This initiative aims to safeguard vital city data from both natural and man-made disruptions, which can range from hardware failures to cyberattacks.
In discussing the importance of resilience, Hunter noted the inherent risks associated with Naples’ geographical location. As the tropical storm season approaches, these considerations become even more critical. “Before I joined this call, I was looking at the forecast for the next system that’s in the Gulf of Mexico,” he said, underlining the reality that the city must remain prepared for potential emergencies. He pointed out that in previous years, the city had not made significant investments in its IT infrastructure, which highlighted the need for improved backup processes and contingency plans for its primary data centre. The focus on resiliency transcends hurricane preparedness; it encompasses various scenarios that could jeopardise the city’s operations, including technological failures and cybersecurity events.
The conversation also touched on Naples’ approach to cloud computing. Hunter noted that the city employs a hybrid model for its IT resources, retaining data-intensive operations on-premises while exploring cloud solutions as they become viable. “When we look at the costs of the cloud for us, it’s the cost of shipping large amounts of data to and from the cloud,” he explained. Certain essential data—like planning documents and security camera footage—is kept on-site due to the high costs associated with data storage and transmission in the cloud. However, Hunter indicated that as technology evolves, the city is increasingly migrating services to the cloud, recognising the advantages of scalable infrastructure and the expertise that cloud providers bring to application management.
Hunter's perspective shed light on the dual-edged nature of cloud applications regarding cybersecurity. While acknowledging that cloud solutions are susceptible to cyberattacks, he also pointed out that investing in multiple cloud environments can mitigate risk: "An attack may not take down your entire infrastructure. You spread your risk throughout multiple clouds." This layered approach is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Naples not only keeps pace with emerging technologies but also fortifies its data against a landscape of evolving threats.
As Naples continues to adapt its technology infrastructure in response to both environmental and technological challenges, the city’s focus on improving resiliency and embracing cloud technology reflects broader trends across municipalities seeking to enhance their operational capabilities in an increasingly digital world.
Source: Noah Wire Services