Building a More Secure and Prosperous Texas through Expanded

Cybersecurity

Mary DickersonTexas Cybersecurity, Education and Economic Development Council

April 2013

The Texas Cybersecurity Education, and Economic Development Council (TCEEDC)

Established in 2011 by Texas Legislature (SB 988)9 members from government, academia,

industryCouncil directive - provide recommendations to:

Improve the infrastructure of the state’s cybersecurity operations with existing resources and through partnerships between government, business, and institutions of higher education

Examine specific actions to accelerate the growth of cybersecurity as an industry in Texas

TCEEDC SWOT Analysis

Advancing a Cyber Secure Infrastructure for Texas

• Recommendations:– State level Coordinator for CyberSecurity within the

Office of the Governor

– Business Executives for Texas Security (BETS) partnership

– “Cyber Star” program to foster improvement of cyber resiliency in both private and public infrastructure in the state as well as increasing public trust establishing a baseline for responsible cyber operations

Advancing a Cyber Secure Infrastructure for Texas

• Recommendations (cont.)

– Adopt the Community Cyber Security Maturity Model (CCSMM) as a State-wide guide

– Update the Duties and Powers of the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR)

Proposed CyberStar Program

Benefits of Cyber Star

• Process-driven model that encourages continuous innovation with risk mitigation

• Private and public sector mutually incented, and protected physically and legally

• Enables application of resilience framework across all objectives: protect/deter, detect/monitor, constrain/isolate, maintain/recover, and adapt

Developing CyberSecurity Industry in Tx

• Recommendations:– Develop a comprehensive strategy and roadmap– Increase the number of cybersecurity practitioners in

Texas– Provide a consistent voice for industry– Continue investment in higher education

cybersecurity programs.– Promote collaboration, innovation, and

entrepreneurship in cybersecurity

Creating an Enduring Cybersecurity Culture in Texas

• Recommendations:

– Establish the BETS group to set in motion activities that will create the Texas cybersecurity education pipeline

– Review and sharpen DIR’s leadership role in establishing a sustainable cybersecurity awareness program for all Texans

Proposed Texas Legislation

• SB 1101 - Extends the Council to September 2015 (2 additional years)

• SB 1102 – Establishes the state cybersecurity coordinator position and framework, allows for implementation of the BETS/CyberStar concepts as well as any of the Council’s recommendations

Proposed Texas Legislation cont.

• SB 1134 – Expands DIR roles to include cybersecurity initiatives for state agencies and also to promote public awareness of cybersecurity

• SB 1597 – Requires state agencies to document specific information security plans and submit biannual reports to DIR

For More Information:

TCEEDC: http://www2.dir.state.tx.us/sponsored/SB988/Pages/overview.aspx

Mary E. Dickerson, MBA CISSP, CISM, PMPExecutive Director, IT SecurityChief Information Security OfficerUniversity of Houston | University of Houston Systemphone: 832-842-4679email: mdickerson@uh.edu