From annoying-but-harmless spam emails to insidious malware that can steal data and bring an organization to its knees, cyber threats are a relentless part of life. Governments are a favorite target for hackers, and Wilton Manors is no exception.

During their meeting on Oct. 10, city commissioners were given a brief overview of planned upgrades. Due to the sensitivity of the subject, much of the Internet Technology Master Plan is confidential.

The city’s goals are to increase bandwidth, redundancies, and cybersecurity safeguards. There will also be increased reliance on cloud computing. Systems moving to the cloud include email and the city’s financial software. They also are developing a GIS, Geographic Information System. A GIS is integrated hardware and software that stores, manages, analyzes, edits, and visualizes geographic data.

All of this will be overseen by a new IT Steering Committee. None of it will be cheap. While some money has been approved in the budget, the city plans to aggressively pursue grant funding to absorb much of the cost.

With so much development trying to come to the city, as well as new businesses moving in and established ones looking to expand, city commissioners opted for continuity on one of Wilton’s most important organizations, the Wilton Drive Improvement District.

Claudia Castillo was reappointed as the board’s tenant business member, and Matthew Dreger will continue serving as the resident member.