Despite the cybersecurity vulnerabilities that exist throughout Texas’ water infrastructure, the state can streamline operations and adopt policies to be a national leader in cybersecurity for critical infrastructure.
Key points:
- Recent cyber attacks on water infrastructure systems throughout the nation demonstrate the frailty and inadequacy of existing defenses.
- As state water systems become more digitalized, the attack vectors are growing without commensurate growth in cyber security and preparedness.
- The history of public policy for critical infrastructure cybersecurity is punctuated by a reactionary, fragmented system of governance.
- The Texas Legislature should consider seven policy recommendations in the 89th Legislature to position the state as a national leader in water infrastructure cybersecurity.