Awards granted in SecureSD initiative
April 9, 2025
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and Dakota State University (DSU) announced the vendor selections for the firewall configuration review component of the SecureSD: Cybersecurity for Municipalities and Counties Initiative.
Following a competitive request for proposals (RFP) process, 11 proposals were submitted from cybersecurity providers across the region. With support from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), each proposal was reviewed for quality, technical capability, and capacity to serve local governments.
Six vendors have been selected to deliver firewall configuration reviews for South Dakota cities, counties and municipalities:
- Golden West Technologies
- High Point Networks, LLC
- Infotech Solutions, LLC
- Riverside Technologies, Inc.
- Vantage Point Solutions, Inc.
- Xigent Solutions, LLC
Firewalls are a first line of defense, controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Misconfigured or outdated firewalls leave systems vulnerable to attack. The SecureSD firewall review service will identify weaknesses, recommend improvements, and help local governments implement stronger cybersecurity protections.
“This effort is about strengthening the digital walls that protect our communities from cyber attacks,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley. “We are proud of the robust and competitive process led by DSU and reviewed in partnership with CISA. These firewall reviews are a critical step in giving cities and counties the protection they need from cyber threats.”
Local governments will now have the ability to coordinate with SecureSD to select the vendor they wish to work with, ensuring they receive the right fit for their needs and network environments.
“We’re taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity across the state,” said Mike Waldner, director of SecureSD at Dakota State University. “These reviews will give municipalities and counties practical, expert insights into their network security, and allow them to make data-driven improvements. This work helps prevent breaches before they happen.”
SecureSD is funded through SB 187 (2024) and is a joint initiative between the Attorney General’s Office and DSU to enhance cybersecurity resiliency across South Dakota’s local governments. The firewall reviews are one of several planned technical cybersecurity services being offered.
The next step for the program will be to sponsor an RFP focused on a secure email solution, which is another high-priority target for attackers. Utilizing a secured email system will improve and enhance the security of communication, collaboration, and productivity of South Dakota’s cities, counties, and municipalities.
In parallel, SecureSD continues to remediate known cybersecurity vulnerabilities and schedule cybersecurity training for government staff, helping them understand threats, improve their response readiness, and build a culture of security across departments.
“Cybersecurity is more than just technology, it’s about readiness and resilience,” said Dr. Ashley Podhradsky, vice president for Research & Economic Development at DSU. “We’re proud to partner with the Attorney General’s Office and CISA to bring this initiative to life and help local governments protect their most critical digital infrastructure.”
For more information on SecureSD, including participation details, visit: https://madlabs.dsu.edu/securesd.