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City staff recommend managed detection-and-response service to bolster network security; council supports January 2025 start
Summary
Minnetrista staff proposed purchasing an MDR (managed detection and response) cybersecurity service (recommended vendor: Perch) with a one-time implementation fee (~$675) and recurring monthly charge (~$827.50). Council discussed funding sources and supported starting the service in January 2025.
City staff briefed the council on a proposal to add a managed detection and response (MDR) service to the city’s cybersecurity defenses.
Staff said the city’s IT managed-services vendor (Loeffler) recommended an MDR to detect unusual activity, flag possible intrusions and isolate compromised devices. Staff presented Perch as the cost-effective vendor option (one-time implementation fee of about $675 and an ongoing monthly cost of about $827.50); Arctic Wolf was noted as a higher-cost alternative with broader market recognition. Staff emphasized MDR is an additional layer of monitoring and not a replacement for existing multi-factor authentication and other security practices.
Council members discussed whether the recurring cost could be shared across departmental funds and whether it could be absorbed in communications/cable or the general fund for 2025. Several council members voiced support for implementing MDR to reduce the risk of ransomware or financial fraud, and staff said they would plan to start the service in January 2025 if the council approved funding. "You don't wanna wish you had it in hindsight," one council member said.
Next steps: staff will identify exact funding sources for the recurring cost and present a purchase agreement or contract for council approval during the budget cycle or an upcoming meeting.
