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:

  1. Recent cyber attacks on water infrastructure systems throughout the nation demonstrate the frailty and inadequacy of existing defenses.
  2. As state water systems become more digitalized, the attack vectors are growing without commensurate growth in cyber security and preparedness.
  3. The history of public policy for critical infrastructure cybersecurity is punctuated by a reactionary, fragmented system of governance.
  4. The Texas Legislature should consider seven policy recommendations in the 89th Legislature to position the state as a national leader in water infrastructure cybersecurity.