Yankton County signs Dakota State University MOU to join Secure South Dakota cybersecurity program

Yankton County approved a memorandum of understanding with Dakota State University to participate in the state’s Secure South Dakota cybersecurity program, allowing state‑approved vendors to conduct vulnerability probing and recommend infrastructure upgrades.

Ryan summarized the program: "This is the Secure South Dakota program. This is the money that, South Dakota has the state has provided for cybersecurity. This money is going to be available only through their approved vendors. This is just allowing them also to start doing work with probing our networks and stuff like that, doing some white hat activities and making sure that we're secure," he said.

Commissioners discussed a clause in the standard MOU that listed Hughes County as the venue for legal disputes. One commissioner proposed changing the venue to the "first judicial circuit in Yankton County, South Dakota," but others said the change was not required for signature and that the county could seek change of venue later if necessary. After discussion the board approved the MOU "as presented." The board also noted the county could pursue common domain and other IT improvements through the program and that state funds for cybersecurity were time‑sensitive.

Ryan said the MOU was an initial step and staff will coordinate with the county’s chosen IT partner and Dakota State University to pursue security assessments and possible infrastructure upgrades.

The board’s motion to approve the MOU passed with no recorded opposition.