Senator Nelson to Chair New Cybersecurity Committee

AUSTIN – Texas State Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, will lead an effort to ramp up the state’s cybersecurity efforts under appointments announced today by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.

Senator Nelson will chair the Senate Select Committee on Cybersecurity, which will evaluate the security plans of each state agency; identify risks and vulnerabilities and make recommendations for potential policy changes to the next Legislature. Other members include Senators Burton, Campbell, Hughes and Miles. 

“Our state agencies store a great deal of sensitive information, so it is vitally important that we secure our networks, computers, and data. Given the rising threats that exist, we need to assess our vulnerabilities and protect our state against cyber attacks,” Senator Nelson said.

Senator Nelson was also appointed to the Cybersecurity Council, a panel of public and private sector leaders that will collaborate on best practices to protect Texas against cyber threats. Specifically, the Council will:

• consider the costs and benefits of establishing a computer emergency readiness team to address cyber attacks;
• establish criteria and priorities for addressing cybersecurity threats to critical state installations;
• consolidate and synthesize best practices to assist state agencies in understanding and implementing cybersecurity measures that are most beneficial to this state; 
• and assess the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of the existing information technology and cybersecurity workforce to mitigate and respond to cyber threats and develop recommendations for addressing immediate workforce deficiencies and ensuring a long-term pool of qualified applicants.

SENATOR JANE NELSON represents District 12, including portions of Tarrant and Denton Counties. She is Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the highest-ranking Republican in the Texas Senate.

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