Title
Approval of Contract for General Services, Agreement No. AGR 25-949 with Artic Wolf Networks, Inc. and Order Form No. QT-000084792 from Advanced Network Management (ANM) in the Amount Not To Exceed $517,735.08, plus Applicable Gross Receipts Tax, for the Purchase of Artic Wolf Cybersecurity Software and Services
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve agreement no. AGR25-949 with Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc. and Order Form No. QT-000084792 from Advanced Network Management (ANM) in the Amount Not to Exceed $517,735.08, plus Applicable Gross Receipts Tax, for the Purchase of Artic Wolf Cybersecurity Software and Services.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve this Contract for General Services as requested.
Body
The cyber threat landscape is rapidly evolving in attack scenarios (vectors) and sophistication. Organizations, such as Los Alamos County, face an increasing risk of sophisticated cyber-attacks that can compromise sensitive data, disrupt critical operations, and incur substantial financial losses. To safeguard our organization against these threats, the County will contract with Advanced Network Services for a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) software solution. MDR is a suite of advanced cybersecurity services that combine cutting-edge technology with human expertise to provide comprehensive threat detection, investigation, analyses and response capabilities. An MDR solution can effectively identify and mitigate cyber threats in real-time, minimizing the risk of data breaches and ensuring the continuity of our operations.
Artic Wolf is a state-of-the-art MDR solution that will enhance the County's current cybersecurity posture and provide comprehensive protection against advanced persistent threats (APTs), ransomware, malware, and other sophisticated cyber-attacks. This MDR solution offers the following key features and capabilities:
1. 24/7 Threat Monitoring and Detection: Continuous monitoring of the IT infrastructure, endpoints local and remote, hard-wired and wireless networks, and over multiple and expanding cloud environments to detect and respond to cyber threats in real-time.
2. Advanced Threat Analytics: Leveraging machine learning and AI-powered analytics to identify complex attack patterns, anomalies, and indicators of compromise (IoCs).
3. Threat Hunting and Investigation: Dedicated security analysts will proactively hunt for threats, investigate potential incidents, and provide in-depth analysis and recommendations while staying current on the threat landscape.
4. Automated Response and Remediation: Automated response capabilities to contain and mitigate threats, minimize damage, and accelerate incident response and recovery efforts.
5. Comprehensive Threat Intelligence: Access to up-to-date threat intelligence and security research for staff to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
6. Compliance and Regulatory Support: Guidance and assistance in meeting regulatory requirements and industry-specific compliance standards.
Los Alamos County Emergency Management has helped Information Management (IM) apply for and secure a State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) grant. This grant would cover 50% of the first-year costs for the Arctic Wolf cybersecurity solution. The County is currently waiting for the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) to give final approval on agreement AGR25-949. This DHSEM approval is required to use the grant funding for this purchase. As a backup plan, in case the grant is not approved, IM has already set aside the full first-year cost in their Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget to ensure they can proceed with purchasing this essential cybersecurity software and service.
ANM is a reseller for Artic Wolf Networks, Inc. with authorized cooperative purchasing via the Carahsoft Technology Corporation New Mexico Statewide Price Agreement.
Alternatives
Maintain current suite of cybersecurity tools, while each very capable on their own, the lack of a comprehensive oversight opens the County to increased cyber threat vulnerabilities. The increasing sophistication of threat actors and their evolving set of tactics necessitates the next generation of cyber defense.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
If New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) approves this agreement then year one will be split between the Information Management (IM) CIP budget and a DHSEM SHSGP grant. In the absence of DHSEM approval, total year one cost has been budgeted in IM's CIP. Additional years will be budgeted in the IM operational budget.
Attachments
A - AGR25-949 Artic Wolf
B - AGR25-949 ANM Order Form QT-000084792
C - Carahsoft New Mexico Statewide Price Agreement NM Contract 80-000-18-00046AE
D - NM DHSEM Request for Approval