Longboat’s first security analyst protects town government from online threats

Ron Scott is like the town’s online bodyguard. 

“My job is to protect the town,” Scott said. 

The town of Longboat Key recently hired Scott full time for one of the seven new positions created this fiscal year: security analyst. The position was budgeted for $65,000 in salary, $100,566 with benefits.

For about six months before he started on Oct. 1, Scott was working as a contractor for the town. It was a natural progression to take the full-time role. 

As the town’s security analyst, Scott implements policies that protect the town from cyberattacks. The goal is a system of checks and balances that prevents an incident like the cyberattack at MGM, or one closer to home in North Port. 

These “checks and balances” can be as simple as setting up two-factor authentication for town accounts, which Scott recently completed. 

Scott wasted no time stepping into the role and going above and beyond. 

The town encouraged him to test for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional certificate. The certification tests a person’s knowledge of many IT security processes and is intense with a 20% pass rate, Scott said. 

Scott passed and earned the certification. 

The new certification adds to Scott’s more than 20 years of experience in IT. He moved to the Sarasota area from Wisconsin, where he worked in IT for construction companies. 

This is Scott’s first government job, which means a lot of learning about the regulations and departments, but he’s getting the hang of things. 

Moving back to Florida, Scott is excited to take in the nicer weather. 

“Have you ever been to Wisconsin?” Scott joked when asked why he made the move to Florida. 

One thing that did surprise Scott about Florida was the sparse availability of volleyball, contrary to what he’s used to in Wisconsin. There, he played for 15-20 years, but now he said it’s been difficult to find a good place to play. 

He also often does missionary work in Kenya, helping with K-8 education and community projects. 

Back at work, his days vary but usually start with checking emails and helping town employees with technical issues. But when something pops up, he’s quick to respond.

Usually, he avoids calling in backup through another contractor.

Like last week, when Scott thought a task would take him five minutes, but it ended up being a job that required replacing a wire and connecting it between two buildings.

“I am a doer versus an outsourcer,” Scott said. “If it’s something I can do and I can save the town money and help protect the town, I would rather do that myself.”