Network Essentials provides managed IT, cybersecurity and access control for towns, counties and public agencies in the Charlotte region. Our CISSP-led team helps local governments meet the FBI CJIS Security Policy, North Carolina public records rules and state incident reporting requirements on a small-government budget.
Who we help
- Town and county offices
- Police departments and other agencies that handle criminal justice information
- Water, utility and public works departments
- Libraries, parks and recreation, and other public offices
What local governments need from IT
- CJIS compliance: multi-factor authentication, encryption, audit logs and security awareness training for anyone who touches criminal justice information.
- Public records: email and files are public records under North Carolina law (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132). We set up retention and search so records requests can be answered quickly.
- Incident reporting: North Carolina local governments must report cyber incidents to the NC Department of Information Technology and may not pay a ransom (N.C.G.S. 143-800). We build the response plan and keep backups you can actually restore from.
- Cyber insurance: we help you meet the controls insurers ask for at renewal.
- Access control: door access for town halls and public buildings, managed with your user accounts.
How we work with public budgets
Agreements are month-to-month, so there is no multi-year lock-in to explain to your board. Pricing is a flat monthly fee, and managed IT starts at $2,000 a month. We can also work alongside an existing IT employee as co-managed IT.
Frequently asked questions
Which Charlotte IT companies serve local governments?
Network Essentials provides managed IT, cybersecurity and access control for towns, counties and public agencies in the Charlotte region, with a CISSP-led team that works with CJIS and North Carolina public records requirements.
Can a North Carolina town pay a ransomware demand?
No. North Carolina law (N.C.G.S. 143-800) bars state agencies and local governments from paying a ransom and requires them to report cyber incidents to the NC Department of Information Technology. Tested backups and a written response plan are the main protection.
Is town email a public record in North Carolina?
Yes. Email and electronic files made or received in public business are public records under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 and must be kept according to the state retention schedules.
Do you help police departments with CJIS?
Yes. We set up the multi-factor authentication, encryption, logging and training the FBI CJIS Security Policy requires, and we keep the documentation for your CJIS audit.
Call (704) 206-8900 or book a free IT audit.