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Higher education requests $4.1 million for Palo Alto cybersecurity as funding hops between NDIT and system office
Summary
The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division heard that the North Dakota University System needs a $4.1 million increase to maintain Palo Alto security services; officials described the request as having moved between the state information-technology agency (NDIT) and the higher-education appropriations bill during the session.
The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division heard that the North Dakota University System is seeking a $4,100,000 increase to maintain Palo Alto security solutions used across higher-education campuses.
Corey Quirk, deputy CIO for the North Dakota University System’s central IT office, told the committee the request represents additional licensing and service costs for an established security toolset. “So what you have in front of you there is a $4,100,000 increase in those Palo Alto security solutions for higher ed,” Quirk said.
Quirk summarized a legislative history in which the funding request moved between the state information-technology agency (NDIT) and the higher-education bill multiple times during the session. He said staff proposed placing the increase in NDIT’s bill originally to reduce administrative overhead, but that representatives requested moving the amount back into the higher-education appropriation so the system office would pay NDIT for the services.
Quirk said the final figure he provided to the committee reflects later adjustments to earlier estimates and that he did not have a full line-item breakout with him. “Initially back in June when we put this information together, that was the initial cost. As the end of the year came closer, it came down to $4,100,000… I do not have the detail break out. I just have the final amount which is down to 4.1,” he said.
Committee members pressed on necessity and consequences. When the chair asked whether the service was essential, Quirk replied the tool is a core part of the security toolset and that a funding shortfall would force the system to seek alternatives. “Obviously for us not to get the funding, we'd have to go find other alternative solutions, which would have a devastating effect for higher ed,” he said.
No formal vote occurred during the committee discussion. Committee staff said the item would be added to the list of budget topics to address in further deliberations.
Clarifying details provided in the hearing: the requested increase was stated as $4,100,000; the precise internal cost breakout was not provided at the meeting; committee staff will carry the item forward for further review. The committee did not record a formal action on this request during the session.
