Cybersecurity policy aims to inhibit access to resident, township information

by Melissa Martin

Sept. 23 township trustees meeting

Keeping residents and township information safe online is the idea behind a resolution Hinckley Township Trustees unanimously approved in accordance with a new state law.

Trustee Cyntia Engleman said the township was required to establish a cybersecurity policy as a result of Ohio H.B. 96. The law mandates that local government entities implement a basic cybersecurity program, including annual cybersecurity training for employees, a cyber incident response plan, practices to assess and remediate cyber risks and reporting cyber incidents to the Ohio Cyber Integration Center and the Ohio auditor of state’s office.

The township was required to establish the new policy by Sept. 30; however, implementation of the full policy is set to take effect on June 30, 2026, Engleman said.

“The idea [behind this piece of legislation] is to strengthen the protection of public data, technology systems and tech resources for cyber security risks and threats,” she added. “[This shows that] Hinckley Township recognizes the importance of safeguarding confidential information entrusted to the township.”

Engleman added that in the process of evaluating some of its fiber network components in September, the township discovered out-of-date equipment that is noncompliant with the state’s new requirements. As a result, she requested the board approve a second resolution that allows for the purchase of new equipment and the establishment of a tighter firewall. The purchases are not to exceed $11,000.

“It is very important that this [technology] is current and actively managed, which is the idea behind this whole cybersecurity initiative,” Engleman said.

Township audit

In other news, Fiscal Officer Richard Fay told the board the township’s records from 2023 and 2024 will be audited by the state in the first half of November.

As Fay was recently appointed to his position and the previous fiscal officer, Martha Catherwood, died earlier this year, Fay said he was not privy to information shared during those years. As a result, he said the board and the township’s department heads would have to be more involved in answering questions posed by auditors. 

“I will be able to provide you with more specifics as we get closer,” Fay said, noting that auditors are expected to be on site at town hall for approximately two weeks.

The audit is required by state law.

New iPads

Trustees also approved the purchase of eight new Apple iPad A-16s for use by the fire department at a cost of $2,181. The iPads will replace outdated tablets.

Trustee Monique Ascherl said the department has sold approximately $2,300 of used equipment this year on the government auction website, gov.com. Because of those sales and the revenue generated, she said the township is able to purchase this new equipment without incurring any additional expenses.

Accordingly, the fire department has also finalized contracts for cell service for each of the new iPads at a cost of $160 a month with Verizon Wireless. That cost includes service for all eight iPads, Ascherl said. 

“The cost of that service was actually reduced by doing this,” she said.

Comprehensive plan

Engleman told the board the township’s Comprehensive Plan Committee, which is currently conducting a 10-year update of the plan, will host two public information sessions in the coming weeks to generate resident feedback that will be used as part of a resident survey in early 2026.

The first of those meetings will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Hinckley Town Hall. The second will take place at the same location on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m.-noon.

“Residents who attend will be able to share their views about the direction of the township over the next 10 to 15 years,” Engleman said. “These meetings were set up specifically for the committee to listen to what residents have to say.”The township’s comprehensive plan serves as a “blueprint” for the township’s future growth and development, guiding land use and physical development decisions.