As technology advances, so do cybercrime threats and we must continue to enhance our measures to safeguard our City's sensitive information. Introducing Abnormal Security as an advanced email security tool will provide the following:

• Advanced Threat Detection: Utilizes cutting-edge AI technology to analyze email communications in real-time, enabling the detection of sophisticated email threats. Its AI models are trained on vast amounts of global threat data, allowing it to identify evolving attack patterns.

• Behavioral Analysis and Anomaly Detection: Leverages AI algorithms to understand email sender behavior and communication patterns. By analyzing contextual signals, it can detect anomalies indicative of malicious activities, such as spoofed email addresses or unusual attachment behavior.

• Automatic Incident Response: Abnormal Security's platform automatically triggers incident response actions based on customizable policies when a potential security threat is detected.

• Robust Compliance and Data Protection: Aligns with industry standards and regulations. It helps us maintain compliance by preventing the exposure of sensitive information through email and ensuring that data privacy requirements are met.

The growing sophistication of cyberattacks poses a significant challenge to maintaining the security and integrity of our email systems. Technology Solutions recommends purchasing an advanced email security tool that can detect and automatically stop email threats, a solution provided by Abnormal Security and its implementation partner Freeit Data Solutions, Inc.  This technology is a cloud-native email security platform that leverages AI-based behavioral data. The tool can be pivotal in mitigating threats and fortifying our defense.  Services will be paid on an annual basis in the amount of $69,443 for the first year and $69,442 for the following two years, for a total estimated amount of $208,327 for three years of services.

The City is authorized to purchase from a cooperative purchasing program with another local government or local cooperative organization pursuant to Chapter 271 Subchapter F of the Texas Local Government Code and by doing so satisfies any State Law requiring local governments to seek competitive bids for items.  (TIPS Contract No. 220105 and City of Plano Contract No. 2023-0519-O) 

Funding for this item is available in the 2022-23 Technology Improvements CIP Fund for the initial purchase, in the estimated amount of $69,443, which will leave a remaining balance of $1,910,029 for other project expenditures.  Future year expenditures, in the annual estimated amount of $69,442, will be funded in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 Technology Solutions Information Security Budget, and will occur within council approved appropriations.

Approval of this item relates to the City of Plano’s Strategic Plan Critical Success Factors of Excellent, Innovative, and Accountable City Government.