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County IT outlines security and hardware upgrades, pilots public‑use laptops at community centers
Summary
Doña Ana County information‑technology staff described a series of security upgrades, device replacement plans, and pilot public laptop access at community centers. Commissioners asked about ADA accessibility, camera features and sharing access with outside agencies.
Doña Ana County’s IT support manager, Andrés Martinez, briefed the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 25 about a multi‑year program to modernize county IT systems, increase security and shift the service desk from reactive support to more proactive management.
Martinez told the board the IT team handled roughly 10,800 support tickets in 2024 (up from about 9,300 in 2023) and is responsible for more than 800 desktops, 400 laptops, 400 cell phones and 600 desk phones countywide. Key security steps already implemented, he said, include strengthened password policies, multifactor authentication and a new cybersecurity administrator start in January.
Infrastructure plans include replacing aging desktops and laptops on a four‑year cycle, upgrading vehicle and Axon cellular connectivity for patrol vehicles, replacing legacy access-control systems across county facilities and installing higher‑quality security cameras (about 70 cameras installed in the administration building this year and roughly 70 more planned for remote sites). Martinez said new camera software will support features such as AI‑assisted detection and heat maps later this year. “We’re moving toward becoming more proactive, not just reactive,” he said.
Martinez said the department has piloted a “public use” laptop program at the Dolores Wright Community Center so residents lacking a computer or adequate internet can check a device out to apply for jobs, complete training or prepare resumes. Commissioners expressed support for expanding the pilot and asked staff to consider offering digital‑literacy training alongside the laptops.
Commissioners also asked about accessibility and security features. Martinez said the access‑control hardware supports ADA capabilities and that the camera platform can be configured to identify persons of interest and alert other sites where the same individual appears; he said some AI detection features are enabled now and others will be phased in. County staff said they can share access to exterior cameras with partner agencies if the board directs that step.
Ending — next steps IT will continue the hardware replacement program and expand the public‑use laptop pilot. Staff will follow up with details on ADA options for access controls, schedule for Windows 11 upgrades and rollout of camera analytics, and on training modules for county employees and community‑center users.
