Governor Greg Abbott of Texas announced the creation of the Texas Cyber Command, positioning it as an urgent priority during his State of the State address. The command will serve as a centralized hub focused on defending the state’s critical infrastructure against growing cyber threats from foreign adversaries and cybercriminals. Texas faces an increasing risk to its economic, military, and energy infrastructure, making the need for enhanced cybersecurity especially urgent. With critical sectors like energy, transportation, and military operations increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, the state is taking proactive measures to safeguard these key systems.
The Texas Cyber Command will be headquartered in San Antonio, strategically located to collaborate with The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and other state, federal, and local cybersecurity resources. This location will facilitate the command’s role in identifying, mitigating, and responding to cyber threats. Texas Cyber Command will play a crucial role in bolstering cybersecurity across both public and private sectors by providing resources to address and neutralize cyber risks. The command’s mission will include protecting critical infrastructure, anticipating cyberattacks, and responding to potential threats swiftly and effectively.
Governor Abbott’s initiative is driven by Texas’ prominent position as both an economic powerhouse and a target for cyberattacks. The state ranks as the eighth-largest economy globally and the top oil and gas producer in the U.S., sectors that are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats. With 15 major military installations and a significant role in international trade, Texas holds high-value assets that are attractive targets for cybercriminals and hostile foreign actors, including China, Russia, and Iran. The Cyber Command is tasked with shielding these critical areas while enhancing the state’s overall cybersecurity readiness.
The Texas Cyber Command will operate by focusing on five key strategic areas: detecting threats before they affect critical systems, promoting cybersecurity education and workforce development, preparing for cyberattacks through simulations, defending against and mitigating cyber threats, and providing post-attack forensic analysis. Collaborating with Texas’ universities, federal agencies, and Regional Security Operation Centers (RSOCs), the command aims to foster a comprehensive, coordinated approach to cybersecurity. Governor Abbott’s proposal is currently moving through the legislative session, where lawmakers will determine how to fund and allocate resources for the initiative.
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