MWRD Cybersecurity Concerns Continue

 Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting  - April 4, 2017  

Major Item Discussed:

• The Board approved a purchase order to CDW Government LLC, to furnish and train on FireEye Web Security.   FireEye provides real-time threat protection for web, email and files, against cybersecurity attacks. Commissioners asked questions regarding training, particularly since 41% of cyberattacks are related to employees.  They were told that people will be trained to monitor 24/7 to try to stay ahead of “bad thinks” and that both incoming and outgoing traffic will be monitored. (Agenda Item #17-0326) 

Highlights from the Meeting:

• The meeting started with the Mayor from Crestwood as a public speaker discussing leasing 7 acres of land from MRWD at a reduced cost 6% vs 10%. (I was unsure what the base amount the 6% would be paid from.) The Mayor shared that the Village of Crestwood would take over development of the area itself, using all union labor, and the sight would include retail shops/restaurants, a retention pond and Veteran’s Park. The Mayor stated that the debt would be paid off in 8 years.  The lease of the land is for 60 years and it is estimated to generate 2,500 job. I believe it was approved. (Agenda Item #17-0385)
• Another resolution was recognition of Mohammed Ali Shabbir the leader of a group from India who has been reviewing MWRD sewage treatment systems. Interestingly, it was noted that Mohammed Ali Shabbir is from the opposition party, but he works with everyone to improve the conditions for 7.5 million people in his city. (What a great idea!)
• Resolution #17-0380 authorized an intergovernmental agreement between MWRD and the Cook County Assessor’s Office. The resolution deals with properties outside of the district that are contributing to stormwater run off, but are not fee accessed on those properties. David St. Pierre stated that they are still working on this issue and it is complicated.

Final Comment:  The meeting was adjourned for an executive session to discuss human resource issues. One of the commissioners graciously shared with me that I would need to exit  due to the executive meeting breakout and kindly offered that I could wait in her office.  She was not able to tell me how long the meeting would last and after waiting 20 minutes, I left the building.

Observer - Laura Davis                                               Time observed - 40 minutes