DATE: April 15, 2024
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Stefan Chatwin, City Manager
FROM: Diane Pitman, Administrative Services Director
Rob Lasky, IT Manager
DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS FOR AN ENTERPRISE BACKUP SYSTEM
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council of the City of Foster City adopt the attached resolution authorizing staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Enterprise Backup System.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Data backup is a critically important component of Information Technology, and newer Enterprise Backup Systems can provide features that could better protect the City from ransomware. The necessary funding is available within the Information Technology (IT) Internal Services Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
The City currently uses Barracuda Backup as our Enterprise Backup System. The system was originally purchased in 2013 and the hardware has been refreshed three times.
While Barracuda Backup has been a reliable system, enhancements to the software have been sparse in recent years. However, during this same time period, newer ransomware has been increasingly targeting backup systems. Other backup systems
on the market have features to help defend against ransomware and even help recognize and mitigate ransomware incursions.
California Environmental Quality Act
Not Applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no costs associated with the issuance of the RFP. Once the proposals have been reviewed and a recommended reseller is chosen, the purchase will come back to City Council for approval. The estimated cost for the replacement server and software is $75,000 and is included in the Information Technology (IT) Internal Services Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
CITY COUNCIL VISION, MISSION, AND VALUE/PRIORITY AREA
Innovation and Sustainability
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Request for Proposals