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Pittsburg IT warns cyber risks, proposes phased network redesign and flags deferred maintenance at big facilities
Summary
IT Director Jeff Baer urged investment in cybersecurity and a phased network redesign rather than costly firewalls, citing a 2024 cyber incident, more than 100 weekly help‑desk tickets and deferred facility maintenance at sites including Memorial Auditorium.
Jeff Baer, the city's director of information technology, told commissioners at the work study that cybersecurity now drives his department's priorities and that many of the city's operational systems depend on a reliable network backbone.
"Security first, security first, security first," Baer said, summarizing the department's approach. He described a spike in IT activity after a cyber incident in 2024 that accelerated planned upgrades and said the department handles more than 100 help‑desk tickets a week and supports some 60–plus distinct systems across city operations.
IT and facilities staff listed four priority areas: identity and access management, endpoint protection and management, network segmentation, and data protection and governance. Pat Walker (IT) described a strategy of physically separating networks for remote or lower‑security systems—concession stands, remote buildings and point‑of‑sale terminals—so a compromise there would not permit lateral movement into core systems such as police, fire or financial records.
Baer said that approach can be staged and costed as a multi‑year program: rather than a single large firewall purchase he described as fiscally inappropriate for the city, the department plans phased redesigns that he estimated would fall into five‑digit costs over time instead of six figures at once. He also flagged insurance and compliance requirements (HIPAA, PCI) as drivers of those investments.
Facility maintenance staff said deferred maintenance affects about 50 city buildings and noted examples where single items can cost six figures — elevators, stage lifts and major HVAC replacements. Memorial Auditorium was cited as an example: the last major renovation was in 1984 and staff said the building is approaching its 100th year, making repairs and replacements expensive.
Baer also described practical uses for artificial intelligence in security monitoring: automated log detection and risk‑modeling reduce the time required to review thousands of logs and servers, though he warned attackers also use AI and emphasized responsible deployment.
Commissioners asked for specifics about timing and costs; staff said they will continue to refine estimates and present phased options so the commission can weigh cybersecurity and capital repairs against other budget needs.
