Case Studies
Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges: Tax Collector Partners with Thrive for Enhanced Protection
In October 2023, the St. Lucie County Tax Collector’s Office (TCSLC), an essential government entity in Florida serving more than 470,000 customers and processing 670,000+ transactions annually, experienced a significant cyber-attack that disrupted services and exposed vulnerabilities in its IT infrastructure. This case study details how Thrive, a leading Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), assisted TCSLC in recovering from the attack, enhancing cybersecurity measures, optimizing IT systems for better protection/resilience and strengthening the office’s defense against future threats.
Why Thrive Was Chosen
TCSLC operates as an independent constitutional officer with a budget that is approved by the Department of Revenue, rather than the Board of County Commissioners. Initially, TCSLC managed its servers locally, but migrated to the county’s virtual network with a goal of improving management and security. This decision ultimately caused many challenges for TCSLC as leaders attempted to maintain a continuity of service following the cyber-attack.
TCSLC got creative in the months that followed, utilizing all available resources including the state of Florida’s FlowMobile buses to complete DMV-related transactions and hotspots with laptops to handle tax payments. Those months proved more challenging for the office than operating during COVID-19.
During this time, TCSLC also prioritized deploying advanced security measures to protect its operations at its three locations. When it came time to seek assistance from an IT security expert, partnering with Thrive was a clear choice because of the company’s strong reputation, explains St. Lucie County Tax Collector, Chris Craft. “I first became aware of Thrive through the company’s involvement with Florida’s Orion state network. I also received a recommendation from a Polk County, Florida official who had first-hand experience with Thrive, which was incredibly valuable. Thrive’s proven track record in dealing with complex security issues made them the obvious choice for us.”
Strategic Deployment of Advanced Security Measures
Thrive was crucial in redesigning the office’s IT domain to bolster security. This involved implementing next generation firewalls and managed detection and response (MDR) solutions for end users, Office 365, network devices and patching services. Additionally, Thrive provided vulnerability scanning services, set up private Cloud infrastructure with secure servers and storage and enhanced data protection measures.
The restoration process involved managing three office locations. The Tradition branch was used as a temporary lifeboat while forensics were completed on the leading network at the main office in Fort Pierce. “The new firewall at our Tradition branch in Port St. Lucie was crucial. It allowed us to isolate the network and gradually restore services while protecting the rest of our operations,” Craft explained. It took about two and a half weeks to reopen the Tradition office, another week to get the Fort Pierce office operational, and another week for TCSLC’s third location, the Walton Road branch, to be back in operation. The phased approach ensured all locations were carefully restored according to the necessary processes and procedures.
“Had we implemented these processes earlier, we might have been able to prevent the entire scenario we just went through. We’re actively spreading this message across Florida, encouraging other tax collectors to examine our new domain and consider partnering with Thrive,” stated Craft.
Thrive’s Impact
The partnership with Thrive significantly enhanced TCLSC’s cybersecurity posture. Thrive’s 24/7 network monitoring added a crucial layer of protection, providing peace of mind by ensuring that any potential threats were promptly detected and addressed. “Since partnering with Thrive, I sleep better at night knowing that their 24/7 monitoring and advanced security measures protect our systems around the clock. Their expertise provides the reassurance we need to manage our operations confidently,” said Craft.
Thrive’s professional guidance and real-life case studies also played a vital role in educating the office about best practices for cybersecurity. Craft noted, “Thrive’s professional guidance and real-life examples have been critical in helping us make informed decisions about our cybersecurity.”
Additionally, the new security measures and redesigned domain improved the office’s ability to withstand and respond to cyber threats, enabling it to navigate future challenges with greater confidence and stability.
“What sets Thrive apart is their expertise — their cybersecurity professionals truly make a difference in protecting our operations.” ~ Chris Craft, St. Lucie County, Florida Tax Collector
About Thrive
Thrive delivers global technology outsourcing for cybersecurity, Cloud, networking, and other complex IT requirements. Thrive’s NextGen platform enables customers to increase business efficiencies through standardization, scalability, and automation, delivering oversized technology returns on investment (ROI). They accomplish this with advisory services, vCISO, vCIO, consulting, project implementation, solution architects, and a best-in-class subscription-based technology platform. Thrive delivers exceptional high-touch service through its POD approach of subject matter experts and global 24x7x365 SOC, NOC, and centralized services teams. Learn more at www.thrivenextgen.com or follow us on LinkedIn.