Title
Approve and authorize the Director of the Information Technology Department to sign a Product Evaluation and Mutual Confidentiality Agreement with SlashNext, Incorporated to test and evaluate the SlashNext Active Cyber Defense System.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of the Information Technology Department to sign a Product Evaluation and Mutual Confidentiality Agreement with SlashNext, Incorporated to test and evaluate the SlashNext Active Cyber Defense System.
SUMMARY:
The Information Technology Department (ITD) is charged with protecting the security of the County’s network information. To effectively explore technological options available to the County and to plan and complete various projects, ITD would like to test data security products made by SlashNext Incorporated (SlashNext) to ascertain whether it meets the needs of the County. In this process, ITD may release information of a confidential nature regarding County technological systems to SlashNext. Similarly, SlashNext will provide the County access to its confidential, proprietary work product and information during the County’s evaluation. The proposed Agreement establishes the terms of the County’s evaluation process and provides for mutual non-disclosure of each parties’ sensitive information.
DISCUSSION:
ITD is currently working on various projects to protect the County’s technological systems from malware and other malicious intrusions, thereby ensuring the continuing functionality of the County’s systems. ITD would like to test the SlashNext Active Cyber Defense System, manufactured and supported by SlashNext, to ascertain its effectiveness. SlashNext is willing to enter into a Product Evaluation and Mutual Confidentiality Agreement in which both the County and SlashNext agree to safeguard each other’s confidential information. Accordingly, ITD recommends that the Board approve this Agreement and authorize the Director of ITD to execute.
The Board has previously reviewed and approved similar Non-Disclosure Agreements and Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements on an individual basis, as ITD has brought them to the Board on a project-by-project basis.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the attached Product Evaluation and Mutual Confidentiality Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
There is no cost associated with the authorization to use the Product Evaluation and Mutual Confidentiality Agreement and no impact on the County General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Authorizing the Director of the Information Technology Department to execute the recommended Agreement will facilitate improvement of the County’s security technology and information systems.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Sandra Shaffer, Management Analyst III, 759-6957
Approved by:
________________________________________ Date:_______
Eric A. Chatham, Director of Information Technology, 759-6920
Attachments: Product Evaluation and Mutual Confidentiality Agreement