Sec. 2054.512. CYBERSECURITY COUNCIL. (a) The state cybersecurity coordinator shall establish and lead a cybersecurity council that includes public and private sector leaders and cybersecurity practitioners to collaborate on matters of cybersecurity concerning this state.

(b) The cybersecurity council must include:

(1) one member who is an employee of the office of the governor;

(2) one member of the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(3) one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(4) additional members appointed by the state cybersecurity coordinator, including representatives of institutions of higher education and private sector leaders.

(c) In appointing representatives from institutions of higher education to the cybersecurity council, the state cybersecurity coordinator shall consider appointing members of the Information Technology Council for Higher Education.

(d) The cybersecurity council shall:

(1) consider the costs and benefits of establishing a computer emergency readiness team to address cyber attacks occurring in this state during routine and emergency situations;

(2) establish criteria and priorities for addressing cybersecurity threats to critical state installations;

(3) consolidate and synthesize best practices to assist state agencies in understanding and implementing cybersecurity measures that are most beneficial to this state; and

(4) 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.

(e) The cybersecurity council shall provide recommendations to the legislature on any legislation necessary to implement cybersecurity best practices and remediation strategies for this state.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 32 (S.B. 1102), Sec. 1, eff. May 10, 2013.

Redesignated from Government Code, Section 2054.552 by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1236 (S.B. 1296), Sec. 21.001(29), eff. September 1, 2015.

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 683 (H.B. 8), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2017.