Port of San Francisco outlines disaster recovery improvements in audit response

During a recent San Francisco County government meeting, the Port of San Francisco addressed critical audit findings regarding its disaster recovery and information systems. John Wu, the accounting reporting manager for the port, highlighted the need for a well-defined backup plan and a designated recovery site, which have been flagged in audits since 2008.

Wu acknowledged that while the port has been active in disaster recovery efforts, the lack of a formalized plan has raised concerns. "We have not identified a site to bring our backup tapes," he stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The port's IT team, consisting of just three members, has struggled to prioritize the establishment of a "hot site" for data recovery, despite the increasing demands of their computerized systems.

In response to the audit, Wu noted that the port is now seeking additional budget resources to address these deficiencies. He mentioned past opportunities to leverage federal grants for vulnerability assessments, which have since passed, pushing the port to rely on internal funding.

Monique Zemuda, a representative from the city’s planning and IT department, reassured that the port is part of a broader initiative for data center consolidation. This effort aims to create redundant, recoverable sites for various departments, including the port, which will help mitigate risks associated with data loss.

The discussions underscored the importance of improving the port's disaster recovery capabilities, especially given its critical role in the city's transportation infrastructure. As the port works towards these improvements, the timeline for establishing a backup site remains uncertain, but the commitment to rectify the audit findings is clear.