A study of Dallas County’s computer systems detailed a habit of overspending — a revelation that comes two months after a cybersecurity attack on the county.
Gartner Consulting presented its findings from a 91-page report Tuesday to the Dallas County Commissioners about its computer systems, as The Dallas Express reported.
The 91-page report compared Dallas County to similar areas, finding that “significant spending (ranging from $15-$20 million) on hardware and software both results in higher than peer spending in IT overall and limits the ability to address key gaps in staffing,” according to KERA News.
The consulting group also noted that Dallas County does not have a proper head of IT. The presentation claimed the “lack of a clear governance structure has resulted in decisions being made or influenced without full understanding of the impact of those decisions, leading to increased costs and, in some cases, delayed or failed projects.”
Bob Jirgal, a senior executive with Gartner, said the commissioners should increase communications with the IT department to better ensure the efficiency of its equipment.
“Did you make sure that it fit?” he said. “Do you make sure that it works? Do you make sure you got the right people involved in the project so that it’s successful?”
Gartner was hired in August to conduct the report.
Dallas County confirmed that it experienced a cybersecurity attack in October, The Dallas Express reported. The County said it hired a cybersecurity firm to investigate the scandal.
A ransomware cybercrime organization called “Play” claimed responsibility for the attack. The group had another ransomware attack this year in Oakland, California.
The City of Dallas experienced a separate ransomware attack in May, as reported by The Dallas Express.