Town Hall Needs New Computers to Avoid a Security Breach

Most desktop computers used at Monroe Town Hall and Edith Wheeler Memorial Library use Windows XP and Microsoft plans to discontinue security updates for it by April 8, 2014, according to Technology Dir. Jack Zamary.

"Hackers will have a field day," he said.

Zamary expressed concern over security being compromised for sensitive financial and employee records kept at town hall and he's asking town officials to approve a plan to buy or lease 42 new computers there.


It would cost $25,513 to buy the computers outright, according to Zamary, who also gave estimates for leasing plans — one with the option to buy at the end. Though he says it is up to municipal officials to decide how much to spend and how to fund it.
 
Zamary called the town hall computers "the highest priority", but says upgrades are also needed for Edith Wheeler Memorial Library's 54 machines. The school system has machines that use XP in grades K-2, which is not as much of a concern, according to Zamary.

Though the police department has 25 new computers as part of the building project, Zamary suggests that it be included in a five-year refresh cycle for all town computers to avoid having a similar problem down the road.

The town owns a total of 142 computers and with a five-year refresh cycle, Zamary says 20% or 28 computers would be purchased each year — costing $16,996 at the current $607 rate per computer.

"Staff time is expended more efficiently, and, budgeting is more predictable, minimizing large variations year to year," Zamary wrote in a presentation for the Town Council.

The clock is ticking, but town officials have around 270 days to debate, get estimates, crunch numbers and decide what they want to do.