Case Study: Port Lavaca’s Transformation from IT Uncertainty to Future-Ready

The City of Port Lavaca, Texas may be small, but its IT and cybersecurity needs are sophisticated. As a government entity, the municipality requires secure, compliant, and predictable technology. However, their previous IT provider struggled to grasp their specific needs. This gap became evident after a cyber scare in 2020, which exposed several weaknesses in both security and infrastructure.

Following this incident, city leadership led the search for a new managed IT services provider. As they weighed their options, they were drawn to VC3’s experience with local governments and their understanding of municipal IT and cybersecurity needs.

“We needed to take the next step and be proactive in making sure our technology was managed and maintained properly,” explained a city representative. “None of us had the expertise to even know what we didn’t know.”

Security and Stability Prioritized

VC3’s full package of services and strong reputation in the municipal space made the choice clear. Improvements began immediately, with onboarding focused on security and a thorough review of vulnerabilities across all city departments.

One of the first steps involved moving the city to Microsoft 365, which improved security, consolidated email, and simplified office applications. Utilization of the Microsoft 365 environment also gave the city access to a suite of enhanced security features, fully backed by VC3’s Security Operations Center.

Compliance and Efficiency Improvements in Police Operations

VC3’s support has proven to be a game-changer for the police department, especially during a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) audit, which they passed with flying colors. The team had the right answers for the auditor because they had the right technology in place.

The benefits of having VC3 as Port Lavaca’s technology partner extend beyond compliance for the police department. Staff save hours of work by digitally pushing caseloads to the District Attorney’s Office instead of printing and delivering documents by hand. They have also upgraded to a new system that integrated the city’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management Systems (RMS) with the county’s—a critical step in building cross-jurisdictional efficiency.

“It was a huge project to get the city and county integrated,” said a city representative. “It went really great. Everybody worked well together.”

No Hesitation for Exploring New Initiatives

These improvements demonstrate how VC3’s organized and collaborative approach to IT and cybersecurity management has benefited the entire municipality. Before working with VC3, the city lacked a clear understanding of its technology and security setup. Now, with a solid grasp of their current infrastructure, leadership feels prepared to make informed decisions as they explore new initiatives.

“Sometimes I don’t know enough to know what questions to ask, so I need VC3’s expertise to guide me and make recommendations,” a city leader said. “Tell me what I need to do, and I’ll take it from there.”

This partnership has become so valuable that any new IT-related project—from setting up an HR system to streamlining permitting processes with an online platform—now includes input from their VC3 Strategic Advisor. Because they have a solid IT foundation and VC3’s deep expertise, city leaders feel confident investing in technology, knowing that VC3 will help drive projects to completion.

“We would be more hesitant to invest if we didn’t have the confidence that we’re going to be able to make this work,” a representative noted. “It’s one thing to have the software; it’s another to make sure it’s properly set up and doing what it’s supposed to be doing.”

Proactive Defense Against Emerging Threats

City leadership values VC3’s proactive guidance, particularly with the latest security technology—a support that was evident during the recent upgrade to a new Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution.

“I was pleasantly surprised when we went through the EDR upgrade,” a city official said. “I didn’t even know I needed it. But the cyber bullies are out there advancing all the time, so VC3 needs to be advancing too, and I don’t even have to ask about it.”

Empowered to Use Technology to Serve Residents

With VC3 as a trusted partner, city leaders and staff can focus on their priorities with peace of mind, knowing their technology is in capable hands. This partnership has given them more than reliable IT and security solutions—it’s given them the confidence to plan, innovate, and use technology to better serve their residents.

The City of Port Lavaca may be small, but thanks to VC3, their approach to IT and cybersecurity is anything but. VC3’s proactive support, expertise, and understanding of municipal needs have empowered city leadership to not only meet today’s challenges but position them to tackle tomorrow’s as well. For city officials, that’s the real measure of a partnership built to last.