Case Study:
Modernizing IT Infrastructure for a Growing Municipality: City of Southport and Katalyst
Case Snapshot
- Client: City of Southport, NC — approximately 5,000 residents, multiple departments
- Partnership since: February 2024
- Trigger: 15+ years with a single IT contractor; growing compliance requirements and security risks
- Engagement type: Full managed IT + centralized infrastructure modernization
Key Outcomes
- All departments unified under a single centralized management platform
- Security vulnerabilities addressed and new cybersecurity compliance regulations met
- Endpoint management solution deployed — all devices managed from one system
- No more data loss risk when employees turn over
- AV equipment upgraded to enable streaming of town hall meetings
- Cybersecurity reimbursement grant compliance and reporting supported
Client Testimonial
— Allayna Dail, Director of Community Relations, City of Southport
“They’ve done a really good job bridging the gaps, there’s no longer that fear of information being lost when an employee leaves.”
About Our Client
The City of Southport provides essential municipal services to about 5,000 residents. As a small coastal town, they strive to maintain a high level of service across multiple departments with the resources available. With fragmented and outdated systems and a single contractor managing all technology needs, the City faced increasing risk of disruptions to critical operations and non-compliance with emerging cybersecurity regulations.
Business Challenge
The City of Southport had relied on a single on-site IT contractor for over 15 years. Different departments were handling IT issues independently, resulting in data silos, miscommunication, and security risks with no visibility into vulnerabilities. New cybersecurity regulations added compliance urgency.
Key challenges included:
- 15+ years relying on a single on-site IT contractor — no scalability or redundancy
- Departments handling IT independently — data silos and no cross-department visibility
- No centralized management platform or visibility into security vulnerabilities
- New cybersecurity regulations creating compliance urgency
- Access controls insufficient — staff unable to perform needed functions
Katalyst's
Solution
Katalyst centralized the City's IT management across all departments, implemented security measures to address vulnerabilities and compliance needs, and deployed endpoint management. Katalyst also handled complex technology projects including AV upgrades for town hall meeting streaming and grant compliance reporting — communicating in plain language tailored to non-technical staff.
CONNECT — INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONNECTIVITY
- Centralized IT management platform across all city departments
- Endpoint management solution — all computers, laptops, and mobile devices managed from a single system
- AV equipment upgrade enabling online streaming of town hall meetings
- Access control workarounds built to unblock staff from needed capabilities
PROTECT — SECURITY AS AN OPERATING DISCIPLINE
- Security vulnerability assessment and remediation
- Cybersecurity compliance implementation for new regulations
- Cybersecurity reimbursement grant compliance and reporting support
OPERATE — ONGOING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OUTCOMES
- Ongoing remote support and strategic technology guidance
- Centralized management eliminating data silos across departments
- Proactive management reducing reactive IT burden on city staff
SUPPORTS RECEIVED
Business
Results
Partnering with Katalyst transformed Southport's IT operations from a fragmented system into a centralized, secure, and efficient environment. The City now has the technology foundation to support its growth and meet new compliance standards.
All systems unified under a central management platform
Security vulnerabilities addressed — new cybersecurity regulations met
All devices managed from a single endpoint management system
No data loss risk when employees leave
Town hall meetings now streamed online via AV upgrade
Staff freed to focus on community services rather than technology issues
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