IT Security Resources Still Available

 A large group of municipal members of MISA Ontario now has acquired Web access to the world's largest collection of IT security resource materials.

 The opportunity to gain immediate access to this resource remains open to other members

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Photo of Jack, Kathryn, Claire

 In February, MISA Ontario became a member of the International Security Forum (ISF, www.securityforum.org) on behalf of its member municipalities. This enables municipalities of all sizes to establish effective IT security policies and practices by adapting the ISF published materials.

 ISF comprises 284 organizations worldwide, including several Canadian provinces.  All ISF members own the intellectual property for all tools or papers available on the ISF Web site in perpetuity.  Any ISF member - and now, any member municipality of MISA Ontario -- can re-brand anything that is found on the site as their own.

 Claire McKay, manager of technology infrastructure with the Region of Peel, negotiated the ISF agreement and recruited MISA Ontario member municipalities to join an ISF Special Interest Group, with membership fees based on population.  This is the first step in a funding strategy that will ensure that all municipal members will participate and gain benefits.  It will be discussed during the annual conference in the City of Waterloo on June 10-13.

 McKay reports that 33 municipalities have joined the ISF Special Interest Group. They have access by means of a login ID to resources including policy templates, an IT security health check, security tools and worldwide best practices.

 They are also invited to attend a free ISF workshop called "Managing Critical Infrastructure" in Ottawa on July 5.  Details are in the enclosed PDF document.

 Any municipalities still interested can contact claire.mckay@peelregion.ca or 905 791-7800 ext 4451.