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In an era where cyber threats are growing faster than potholes in spring, municipalities can’t afford to let their technology fall behind. Local governments are under pressure to deliver secure, efficient services—often on tight budgets and with aging infrastructure.

At Schilling IT, we’ve worked with city halls, public works, and police departments across Northwest Indiana and beyond. Based on what we’re seeing in the field, here are 8 essential IT strategies every municipality should prioritize in 2025:

🔐 1. Lock Down Cybersecurity (Before a Hacker Does It for You)

Municipalities are prime targets for ransomware and phishing attacks. Why? Because the data is sensitive, and the defenses are often outdated.

Our top tips:

• Enforce multi-factor authentication on everything—email, remote access, even legacy systems.
• Run phishing simulations and cybersecurity awareness training regularly.
• Implement Zero Trust principles: trust nothing by default, verify everything.

Bonus Tip: Make sure your cybersecurity controls align with cyber insurance requirements—this can make or break your claim in an incident.

☁️ 2. Embrace the Cloud (Selective Migration is OK)

Moving your permitting system, utility billing, or document management to the cloud can streamline operations and improve disaster recovery. You don’t have to move everything at once—but move something.

Consider:

• Microsoft 365 Government for email, files, and compliance.
• Cloud-based 311 or public service request platforms.
• Backing up critical servers to the cloud for resilience.

🧠 3. Automate the Mundane with AI

Artificial intelligence isn’t just for big cities. Municipalities can use AI to:

• Summarize council meetings
• Route resident inquiries with AI-powered chatbots
• Auto-tag and organize documents and records

This saves your staff time—and maybe even a few headaches.

📁 4. Rethink Records Retention and FOIA Readiness

Can your team quickly retrieve a year-old text message from a council member? If not, it’s time to update your e-discovery and retention policies.

We recommend:

• Using tools like Microsoft Purview to manage retention and legal holds.
• Training departments on what must be kept (and for how long).
• Ensuring mobile communications are covered by your policy.

🛰️ 5. Upgrade Your GIS Tools for Field and Office

GIS isn’t just for zoning maps anymore. From snowplow tracking to water main inspections, spatial data makes operations smarter.

Pro moves:

• Offer public-facing GIS dashboards for transparency.
• Equip field teams with mobile GIS apps synced to asset management platforms.

🌐 6. Boost Redundancy and Public Connectivity

Internet downtime at city hall or a police station isn’t just inconvenient—it can be dangerous.

• Add fiber or fixed wireless failover connections.
• Apply for state or federal broadband grants to improve community Wi-Fi in parks, libraries, or underserved areas.

🧠 7. Invest in Your IT Team

Your tech is only as good as the people running it. Yet, many municipalities have just one or two IT staffers juggling dozens of responsibilities.

Tips:

• Cross-train on networking, cybersecurity, and cloud platforms.
• Budget for certifications like Azure, CompTIA, or PMP.
• Document your systems—don’t let institutional knowledge walk out the door.

🤝 8. Consider an MSP for Specialized Support

Many municipalities are turning to Managed Services Providers (MSPs) like Schilling IT to:

• Monitor networks 24/7
• Manage backups and cybersecurity tools
• Provide Tier 1 help desk support
• Ensure compliance with CJIS, HIPAA, and more

Ready to Future-Proof Your Municipality?

Schilling IT helps cities, towns, and public agencies build secure, modern IT environments without breaking the budget. If your municipality needs help modernizing infrastructure, strengthening security, or lightening the load for your IT staff—we’re here to help.

📞 Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or infrastructure assessment.