Fayette County computers not vulnerable to hacking
Allegations that computers at the Fayette County Courthouse were hacked are untrue, according to the county’s informational technology firm.
At a recent commission meeting, Fairchance resident Maribeth Homistek asked if there was any credence to information being circulated that the courthouse system had been infiltrated.
“It’s flying around out there,” said Homistek.
While Commissioners Vincent Vicites and Dave Lohr responded that they were not aware of any system breach, Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink said she was aware of some concern.
However, Tracey Richardson, Ford Business Machines director of operations, said that the county computers are safe-guarded from any outside threats and monitored to ensure the invulnerability of the system.
“Since taking over in January, we have made extensive changes to the network,” said Richardson, adding that the prior system had no firewall — a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing information. “We put in a Palo Alto, top-of-the-line system that definitely protects (the county computer system).
“They are now more protected than they have ever been.”
When the matter was brought to her attention following the commission meeting, Richardson said the system was immediately scanned to determine if an issue existed. However, no breach was detected.
“There wasn’t even a threat of a hacking,” she said.
Richardson said the firewall system constantly monitors the online traffic and would alert personnel “immediately” to a breach.
“We know anytime, anything goes wrong,” she said.
County department directors and officials also have the ability to contact her, should questions arise.
“No one has called to report any type of a hacking,” said Richardson. “We monitor it in real-time, all the time.”
The hiring of Ford in mid-December drew some controversy as it was being done at the end of the year and supported by two commissioners that would not return in January.
Zimmerlink, the lone returning commissioner, argued, too, at the time, that the county did not allow other firms to participate in a bidding process.
Former Commissioners Al Ambrosini and Vince Zapotosky agreed to a five-year, $169,800-per-year contract with Ford.
Richardson, meanwhile, said the updates are now in place and system is fully operational.
“The county has now moved into this century as far as its informational technology system is concerned,” she said. “They were many years behind. We’re definitely getting them to where they need to be.”
Turning to other business, commissioners have hired a third solicitor to help with a growing workload for the county legal department.
In 2-1 vote, Connellsville attorney Tim Witt was hired and will join chief solicitor Jack Purcell and attorney Sheryl Heid to represent and advise the county in various legal matters.
Each position is part time. Heid has been a part of the legal department for several years. Her current salary is $31,700. Purcell was hired in mid-August at a salary of $36,757. Witt’s salary was set at $27,475.
Zimmerlink said that her no vote was only tied to her stance that the legal department, along with others, should be restructured before additional staff is hired.
“We’re not doing that,” she said. “We had agreed to restructure that office. “
The addition of Witt is the restructuring of the office, said Vicites, with the three now able to divide the workload.
When asked about the office workload, Purcell described it as “hectic,” speculating he has averaged about 20 hours each week to county business.
“(Heid) has been wonderful and we’ve been trying to get to everything,” he said, adding that a third solicitor is warranted. “If this is how it is going to be, we will be hard-pressed with just three.”
Purcell speculated that two, full-time solicitors would likely be sufficient for the county, but added the current positions are only part-time.
Vicites said he has scrutinized the matter and believes the county would be hard-pressed to find an experienced local attorney that would take the position.
“These legal issues are of most concern,” he said. “We want to make sure the taxpayers aren’t paying anymore than absolutely necessary.”