Tullahoma approves $50,745 cybersecurity contract to add identity protection and 24/7 coverage

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. — The Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted July 14 to approve $50,745.20 in funding for additional computer and identity security services, citing ongoing attempts to breach city systems. City Administrator (unnamed) and IT staff said the purchase is part of the budget recently approved and will add identity-protection features to the city’s existing computer-security contract and extend 24/7 monitoring. IT staff described the work as a continuation of efforts to “build gates and moats” around the city’s data after identifying vulnerabilities following a recent IT staff hire. The city clarified the purchase is a renewal of existing protections with an additional identity module; the contract includes 24/7 monitoring and access to incident response services tied to the city’s insurance package. Officials said the city’s insurance through Travelers provides an incident-response service covering an initial $100,000–$150,000 for recovery and response if an attack occurs. Board members asked whether the service includes remediation and recovery; staff confirmed response and recovery support are available through the insurer’s contracted team. Staff also said there is one additional IT request that was not funded this fiscal year and will be postponed. The board approved the expenditure on the consent of a motion and second; the vote on the funding carried 6–0.