Texas House Bill HB4597

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to cybersecurity of state agencies.

Impact

One of the key provisions of the bill involves the creation of a 'cyber range,' a training environment where state employees responsible for cybersecurity can enhance their skills in defending against cyber threats. This initiative is designed to improve the overall cybersecurity capabilities of the state's public sectors, thereby fortifying the state's defense mechanisms against potential cyber incidents. Additionally, the bill provides for a program that allocates dedicated cybersecurity resources to aid state agencies in managing their information security more effectively.

Summary

House Bill 4597 focuses on enhancing the cybersecurity protocols of state agencies in Texas. The bill amends existing laws to classify specific cybersecurity-related information as confidential, ensuring sensitive data and vulnerabilities detected in computer systems or networks are protected from public disclosure. This measure aims to bolster the security posture of state agencies by preventing unauthorized access to critical information that could be exploited by malicious actors.

Contention

The bill also proposes the establishment of a bug bounty program intended to incentivize external individuals to report security vulnerabilities in state websites and applications. This program would offer financial rewards for those who identify and help resolve security issues, thereby encouraging a proactive approach towards cybersecurity. However, there may be contention regarding the eligibility of participants for the bounty, as state employees and contractors are excluded from receiving these rewards, which could promote debates about fairness and community engagement in cybersecurity efforts.