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City CIO outlines DTS reorganization, third‑party cybersecurity contract and plan for cameras during staffing transition
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Summary
City CIO Gerald Neal told council the Department of Technology Services is reorganizing and the city has contracted a third party (Fortress SRM via Carahsoft/Fulcrum IT Partners) to provide interim cybersecurity and operational support while DTS hires and stabilizes.
The city’s Department of Technology Services (DTS) is undergoing a strategic reorganization intended to expand capacity and modernize service delivery, and administration officials told council they have retained third‑party support to maintain cybersecurity and continuity during the transition.
Gerald Neal, chief information officer for the City of Chattanooga, said continuity of service is a priority and that he has "third parties that I have engaged in specifically for security." Neal named the contracted vendor as Fortress SRM, arranged through Carahsoft and as part of Fulcrum IT Partners, and described the engagement as a standing contract the city can end as the in‑house team is rebuilt. Neal said the lead advisor on the firm has decades of experience in federal, state and local government and private industry.
Council members pressed staff about transition risks, especially for public safety and camera systems. Neal acknowledged existing operational problems — notably recurring public‑safety camera outages — and said he planned to create a dedicated five‑person team (a manager plus engineers and specialists) focused full time on the city camera network to reduce task switching and improve reliability. Neal said the third party will also perform a full assessment of the cybersecurity posture and can supply hands‑on support until DTS staffing is stabilized.
Council members asked about the contract type and duration. Neal said the arrangement is a yearly contract with the option to extend or terminate and that the procurement was made via Carahsoft. He described the intent as using the third party for assessment, advising and interim operational work while recruiting and onboarding new staff; the administration said it aims to complete the reorganization and staffing transition within about a year.
Council members requested a written transition plan and a more detailed timeline for camera reliability work, cybersecurity assessments, and hiring. Administration staff said they will follow up with a comprehensive implementation document and additional operational detail for council review.
