In a recent work session of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, the IT department received commendations for its swift response to a significant service interruption caused by a global cybersecurity incident involving Crowdstrike. Agency Director Gordon highlighted the critical role of his team during the crisis, which began just before midnight on August 18, 2024, when systems across the county experienced outages due to a failure in a routine update from Crowdstrike, a leading cybersecurity vendor.

The incident, which affected numerous organizations worldwide, including major airlines and banks, resulted in an estimated financial impact of $5.4 billion, with projections suggesting it could rise to $15 billion. Despite the widespread disruption, Cherokee County's IT team managed to restore 90% of its systems within 12 hours and achieved full recovery by the end of the day, with no significant losses reported.

Director Gordon praised his team for their professionalism and quick action, noting that they implemented contingency plans that allowed critical services, including the 911 center, to continue operating with minimal interruption. The team, consisting of 20 members, worked tirelessly through the night, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining county operations during the crisis.

In addition to the IT update, the meeting also introduced Patrick Bradshaw, the new Roadway Program Director, who emphasized the importance of improving transportation infrastructure in Cherokee County. With a background in transportation planning, Bradshaw expressed his enthusiasm for enhancing the county's road systems to support economic development and manage growth effectively.

The session concluded with presentations from summer interns, showcasing their projects and contributions to the county, further highlighting the ongoing efforts to engage the community and develop future leaders in public service.