Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast Scott Houston

Texas Government Code Section 2054.5191 mandates cybersecurity training for local government employees, elected officials, and appointed officials who have access to a local government computer system or database and use a computer to perform at least 25 percent of their duties. The training must be certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) – both this podcast and the YouTube video linked to the left are DIR-approved. 
 
This episode isn’t some boring episode. Instead, join the Risk Pool Cyber Guy – Ryan Burns – and his buddy – Hacker Hank – as they discuss ways that “Hank Hacks” trick local government employees into sending money, downloading ransomware, and more!
 
A local government has two ways to track and report completion of the training: (1) a local government can keep track of participants internally and certify its compliance by August 31, 2024, using the Cybersecurity Training Certification for State and Local Governments form; or (2) DIR has developed an optional tool, Texas by Texas (TxT), for a local government to track compliance of participant’s training compliance. 

In this episode, Scott talks about Robert Greenleaf’s seminal essay “The Servant as Leader.” Servant leadership is not about a personal quest for power, prestige, or material rewards. Instead, from this perspective, leadership begins with a true motivation to serve others. Scott is joined by a special guest – his Dad (hey, the price was right) – who speaks about one man’s experience practicing the philosophy over 50 years in business.
 
Further Information
The Servant as Leader Download (Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership - $4.99)
Ten Principles of Servant Leadership from Indeed
Business Insurance New Names TML Risk Pool to 2020 “Best Places to Work” List
TDIndustries “What Does Servant Leadership Mean?”
Strategic Government Resources

In this episode, Scott explains some of the practical and legal issues related to hiring remote employees, whether in Texas or out-of-state, and interviews several Risk Pool employees with expertise in the subject. 
 
Further Information:
Department of Labor Employee v. Independent Contractor FAQ

In this eye-opening episode, Scott interviews City of Tomball Assistant City Manager Jessica Rogers. Cyber-criminals hacked Tomball at the end of 2022, and the city is still – one year later – dealing with the aftermath. In this episode – which should be required listening for every city manager in Texas (and beyond) – Jessica explains exactly what it’s like to have essentially every computer system go down, including 9-1-1 dispatch, utility metering and billing, permitting, and everything in between. She’ll also describe the long road to getting everything up-and-running. Don’t miss this chill-inducing story.
 
       Further Information:
Texas City Management Association’s “TCMA Messenger” Newsletter article: “There and Back Again, An ACM’s Journey”Center for Internet Security’s 2022 Nationwide Cybersecurity ReviewTML Risk Pool’s Cyber Liability Home Page

The year 2023 has seen multiple city employee struck by fatalities on Texas roadways. The TML Risk Pool’s goal is to reduce that to zero in 2024, and we’ve developed a program to do just that. R.O.A.D. Ready is a Risk Pool program designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising member awareness of dangers on and near roadways, and January is R.O.A.D. Ready month. Listen in to learn how you can participate and stop one of your employees from being a statistic.
 
FURTHER INFORMATION:
R.O.A.D. Ready Web Page
Find You Safety and Loss Control Consultant
Safety @ Your Fingertips Sign Up

In this episode, Scott interviews Dripping Springs City Attorney and Texas City Attorneys Association Board Member Laura Mueller. In it, Laura explains how the law limits the circumstances in which a city or other local government can drug test its employees. Lots of entities are improperly drug testing employees, and this short interview can help set them straight. Check out the podcast as usual or watch the interview by clicking on the video to the left of this episode.

Further Information:
“Weeding Out Bad Employees: Random Drugs Testing and Cities 2023 Update” prepared by Laura Mueller and recently presented to the Texas City Attorneys Association.