Senate Hearing on IT Staffing Issues Highlights Cybersecurity Concerns in Virgin Islands
July 23, 2025 | 2025 Legislature, Virgin Islands
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Virgin Islands Legislature's Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance meeting on July 23, 2025, spotlighted critical staffing and cybersecurity challenges facing the Bureau of Information Technology (BIT). Director Ross emphasized the pressing need for a business relationship manager, a position currently vacant, which has hindered effective communication and project alignment with various agencies. The absence of this role has led to increased workloads for existing staff, raising concerns about potential burnout and service delivery.
Senator Maurice James raised pertinent questions about the impact of staffing vacancies on agency operations, highlighting the significant role of the business relationship manager in advocating for agency needs. Ross explained that the loss of this position has disrupted information gathering and project tailoring, essential for meeting agency requirements.
The discussion also touched on the agency's budget, which has seen fluctuations, with a drop from $12.9 million in FY '24 to $11.8 million in FY '25. Ross noted that this reduction has led to the scaling back of key contracts and resources, particularly in cybersecurity and IT support, which are crucial for maintaining the territory's infrastructure.
Senator Frederick emphasized the need for BIT to adopt a more proactive stance in cybersecurity, urging the agency to enhance its capabilities to protect all government entities from cyber threats. He expressed willingness to allocate more funding to ensure that BIT can effectively safeguard the territory's IT systems.
The meeting underscored the urgency for BIT to fill critical vacancies and bolster its cybersecurity framework to prevent future incidents. As the territory grapples with increasing cyber threats, the call for enhanced staffing and resources has never been more crucial. The committee's discussions signal a pivotal moment for the Virgin Islands' IT landscape, with potential implications for the efficiency and security of government operations moving forward.
Senator Maurice James raised pertinent questions about the impact of staffing vacancies on agency operations, highlighting the significant role of the business relationship manager in advocating for agency needs. Ross explained that the loss of this position has disrupted information gathering and project tailoring, essential for meeting agency requirements.
The discussion also touched on the agency's budget, which has seen fluctuations, with a drop from $12.9 million in FY '24 to $11.8 million in FY '25. Ross noted that this reduction has led to the scaling back of key contracts and resources, particularly in cybersecurity and IT support, which are crucial for maintaining the territory's infrastructure.
Senator Frederick emphasized the need for BIT to adopt a more proactive stance in cybersecurity, urging the agency to enhance its capabilities to protect all government entities from cyber threats. He expressed willingness to allocate more funding to ensure that BIT can effectively safeguard the territory's IT systems.
The meeting underscored the urgency for BIT to fill critical vacancies and bolster its cybersecurity framework to prevent future incidents. As the territory grapples with increasing cyber threats, the call for enhanced staffing and resources has never been more crucial. The committee's discussions signal a pivotal moment for the Virgin Islands' IT landscape, with potential implications for the efficiency and security of government operations moving forward.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting