Sugar Land OKs $143,800 cybersecurity expansion funded largely by federal grant

The Sugar Land City Council unanimously authorized a $143,800 contract with SQL Data Systems Inc. on Aug. 5 to expand Cisco extended detection and response (XDR) cybersecurity services using grant funding. Steve Bundy, the city's director of IT, data and security, told council the XDR product aggregates security data from multiple layers, applies behavioral analytics and real-time intelligence, and supports 24/7 monitoring and incident response. "This completes a multi year grant funded effort to enhance our cybersecurity program," Bundy said. Bundy said the purchase is funded through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; staff noted this particular piece requires a 10% local match while other grant-funded elements were fully covered. The contract will be procured under the Texas Department of Information Resources cooperative purchasing agreement identified in the presentation. Council Member Jacobson asked whether the entire project was paid with grant money; Bundy said there is a 10% match for this contract item. Council Member Singhal moved approval; Council Member Miller seconded. The motion passed 7-0. The city said the expanded Cisco XDR service will provide enhanced monitoring, automated response capabilities and continuous incident support as part of ongoing cybersecurity improvements.