The Information Technology Division (ITD) provides the District Attorney’s Office with technology tools and services. The 27 employees that make up this unit are responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of all information technology hardware, software, business applications, and websites. They also provide support for prosecution in the courtroom and community outreach efforts. In addition, ITD provides direct support to the City Attorney’s Office in their use of the District Attorney’s Case Management System for criminal prosecution.
The team is responsible for supporting the organization’s data network and servers where information and applications are stored and accessed such as data files, email, the DA case management system and the new eDiscovery system. The data network links 10 DA offices and more than 1,400 desktops, laptops, and printers to more than 200 servers and other networks including the County of San Diego, ARJIS, the Sheriff’s Department and the Internet.
Servers and Infrastructure
In 2015, the team successfully finished implementing the new trusted system, enabling the office to transfer paper files to digital format, which saves storage burdens and guarantees quality and security of information. The server and infrastructure unit is also in the process of completing the infrastructure of the fail over (disaster recovery) site in North County. Moving from tape backups to disk backups will save tens of thousands of dollars per year. In addition, disk backup is faster, more reliable and more secure than the traditional tape backup. We are also testing backup to the government cloud, which provides reliability, security and availability all day every day.
Network and Security
The team successfully negotiated and is in the process of upgrading cross sites bandwidth and Internet connection from 100 MB to 500 MB saving money on monthly services and at the same time enhancing the connection speed by five times. This will enable the office to use mobile applications and remote connections without any drop in speed or performance. The team also evaluated and implemented multi-layer security on desktops and laptops in light of the increased cyber security threats and attacks across all industries. The team also enhanced the security of the DA’s networks by implementing newer technologies and hardening it with a multi-layer protection system.
Web Design
The application development team manages the content and design of the DA’s public website, which receives thousands of views each week from around the world. In addition, the web team manages the DA’s intranet and a growing portfolio of browser-based applications and is researching portal-based solutions to serve external customers more effectively. The team developed a browser based application that allows Deputy DAs access to the DA’s case management system in the courtroom through laptops and tablets. The team has also finished designing and implementing the new DA websites to enhance the experience of our external and internal users. In anticipation of the increased number of mobile device and tablet users, the web development team is enhancing and updating the DA web portal to become universal with all browsers.
Technical Assistance
The support team provides technical assistance to all DA employees via phone, email, self-service portal or on-site service. In 2015, the IT Division resolved more than 12,365 incidents for assistance through its service desk. An upgrade of desktop and laptop hardware and software is ongoing to provide improved performance, reliability, and security. Other projects include document scanning, technical support for defense attorneys using eDiscovery, and a continuous effort to improve computing capabilities and services and to utilize new technologies. The team was effective in controlling and reducing costs dramatically to save more than 50 percent in mobile phone costs through monitoring and eliminating unneeded equipment and re-negotiating contracts and plans on regular basis.
The team is also testing the possibility of using office 365 on the cloud with possible implementation by January 2017.
A new ticket and inventory system based on Microsoft System Center was implemented, which enhanced control and resulted in cost savings on equipment and services.
The IT division, with the Sheriff’s Department and the San Diego Superior Court, initiated a project to eliminate the old mainframe that gracefully served for more than 40 years. The mainframe will be migrated to a more modern platform with minimal maintenance cost that will save the office and the county millions of dollars in maintenance and support. The project began in December 2015 and is expected to wrap up by January 2017.
