Welcome to the latest edition of the IT Newsletter, your central source for all IT-related information. Our goal is to keep you informed and empowered as we continue to evolve our organization’s technology landscape together.
Photo: Courtesy of Pitkin County Drone Program, Snowmass Falls Ranch
Security vulnerabilities have been identified that could put your workstation at risk if the Google Chrome is out of date. To keep our organization’s data secure, we are requiring all staff to update their Google Chrome browser.
Updating is quick and ensures you have the latest security patches.
How to Update in 3 Steps:
Open Chrome on your computer.
Click the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner.
Go to Help > About Google Chrome.
Note: Chrome will automatically check for the update. Once it finishes downloading, click Relaunch to apply the changes.
If you encounter any issues or don't see the option to update, please submit a ticket to help@pitkincounty.com. Thank you for helping us keep our network safe!
Apple has recently identified critical security vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access to devices through infected websites. To protect your personal and organizational data, all users must update their iPhones and iPads to the latest software version.
How to Update Your Device:
Plug in and Connect: Ensure your device is connected to power and a stable Wi-Fi network.
Open Settings: Go to Settings > General.
Software Update: Tap Software Update.
Download and Install: *If you see an update available, tap Download and Install.
Note: You may see an "Also Available" section at the bottom for older devices; ensure you select the highest version available to you.
Follow Prompts: Enter your passcode if prompted and allow the device to restart to complete the installation.
Pro Tip: While in the Software Update menu, tap Automatic Updates and ensure both "Download" and "Install" are toggled ON to stay protected from future threats automatically.
Depending on your device model, you should be running iOS 26.4 (or higher) or the newly released security patch iOS 18.7.7.
If you have any trouble updating or your device says it is up to date on an older version (pre-iOS 18), please contact the help@pitkincounty.com.
The GIS team is nearing the finish line on the comprehensive deployment of the Pitkin County 2025 Aerial Imagery project. This update provides a crystal-clear view of our landscape, offering invaluable data for planning, safety, and conservation.
What’s New in This Update?
Rural & Remote Coverage: We have captured 6-inch-resolution imagery covering our valleys and mountain peaks across the entire county.
Enhanced Urban Detail: In a notable achievement for the project, we have acquired ultra-high 3-inch-resolution imagery for our cities and towns, providing unprecedented detail for our urban centers.
Official Release
We are currently finalizing the data integration to ensure a seamless user experience. Please stay tuned for the official release of this imagery later this month!
Looking for more? Once live, the new imagery will be accessible through our standard GIS portals and interactive maps. Please reach out to gis@pitkincounty.com with any questions.
We are excited to announce that we are moving into the next phase of our organization-wide rollout of Skedda, our new hot desking and space management software.
Following a successful pilot program with the IT/Assets and Finance suites, we’ve gathered valuable feedback to ensure the system is tuned to our specific needs. Now, we are ready to bring more departments online!
What is Skedda?
Skedda is a cloud-based platform designed to make our workspace more flexible and accessible. Think of it as a specialized booking tool for our physical office space. With Skedda, you can:
View Real-Time Availability: See which desks or workspaces are open before you even head into the office.
Reserve Your Spot: Book a specific desk for the day or a block of time.
Coordinate with Teammates: See where your colleagues are sitting to make collaboration easier.
Who is Included in This Phase?
As of this week, the following locations are officially live in the system:
Where We Are in the Project
We are currently in a phased rollout. By introducing Skedda department by department, we can provide hands-on support and ensure a smooth transition for every team.
If you are in one of the departments listed above, keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation link to set up your account. We appreciate your patience and your feedback as we continue to modernize how we work together!
If you have any questions, please reach out to michaela.higgins@pitkincounty.com.
Due to specific security and data-handling concerns, Read.ai has been designated as a "red-listed" application. Effective immediately, the County will no longer permit the use of Read.ai for any official meetings or business operations.
Why the Change?
IT has identified present risks regarding data sovereignty and unauthorized recording while using Read.ai. We have identified vulnerabilities in how Read.ai manages meeting data and participant consent, leading to the decision to block the service at the network level.
If you currently use a Read.ai account (Free or Pro) associated with your County email or calendar, please take the following steps:
Delete Your Account: Log into Read.ai, navigate to Account Settings > Advanced, and select Delete My Account.
Disconnect Integrations: Ensure you have removed any Read.ai "Apps" or "Add-ins" from your Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Workspace accounts.
Check Your Calendar: Remove any lingering "Read.ai" bots from upcoming calendar invites to prevent them from attempting to join future sessions.
Approved Alternatives
We recognize the value of automated meeting notes and encourage the use of our vetted, secure alternatives. These platforms meet the County's current standards for encryption and administrative control:
Fireflies.ai: Recommended for seamless integration with our existing project management tools.
Sembly: Best for deep analytics and multi-language support.
Otter.ai: Ideal for high-accuracy real-time transcription and collaborative note-taking.
Need Assistance?
IronEdge Group will be actively blocking Read.ai traffic. If you encounter issues migrating your data to an approved alternative or need help closing your account, please submit a ticket to help@pitkincounty.com.
Note: Always notify all meeting participants before using any AI recording or transcription tool to ensure transparency and compliance with privacy expectations.
Regarding the deployment of Gemini and the integrated Google Meet note-taker, Pitkin IT would like to provide an update on our current status and proposed path forward:
Current Testing Phase: We are currently in the middle of active testing for Gemini. Our primary goal is to ensure that all internal communications and support structures are fully intact before we move toward a wider rollout.
The "Note-taker" Timeline: While we have the technical ability to deploy the Gemini note-taker (as a replacement for Read.ai and other notetaking tools) sooner than the full Gemini suite, we believe it is vital to have clear user communication and basic training in place first. We are targeting an early May launch for the Note-taker feature.
Policy & Governance: Before this launch, we are prioritizing an update to our usage policy. We will communicate these changes to the broader organization in the near future.
In short, we are moving quickly to provide an approved alternative to Read.ai, but we want to ensure the rollout is supported by clear guidelines to avoid any confusion or security oversights.
Key Takeaways for the Organization Update:
In short, we suggest focusing on these three pillars:
Intent: We are transitioning to Gemini as our primary, integrated AI tool.
Pilot Success: We are currently in the testing phase to ensure a smooth user experience.
Phased Approach: The Google Meet note-taker is slated for a May release, with further Gemini features to follow once policy and training are finalized.
