In a significant move to shore up cybersecurity, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expanded the list of technologies prohibited for use by state employees, citing concerns over espionage, data harvesting, and other nefarious activities by foreign actors, particularly those associated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The added restrictions, which cover a range of hardware, artificial intelligence (AI) advancements, and software entities, were established in consultation with the Texas Cyber Command (TXCC) and its Chief, Vice Admiral TJ White (USN, Ret.).
"Rogue actors across the globe who wish harm on Texans should not be allowed to infiltrate our state's network and devices," said Governor Abbott, as announced in a press release. Governor Abbott noted the importance of mitigating risks and safeguarding the privacy of Texans against "the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and any other hostile foreign actors who may attempt to undermine the safety and security of Texas." These initiatives reflect the state's commitment to preemptively block potential cybersecurity threats.
Tasked with identifying technologies that pose a risk to the state's sensitive information, the TXCC, headed by Chief White, has been designated the principal agency in this effort. "The Governor and the Legislature gave a clear mission for the Texas Cyber Command - protect Texans from hostile foreign nations and cyber threat actors," Chief White emphasized the agency's duties, as Texas paves the way in creating the largest state-based cybersecurity department in the United States.
Following a thorough threat assessment by TXCC, Governor Abbott directed the inclusion of multiple entities on the list, including both well-known global players and more niche technology firms. Among them, companies like Alibaba, Xiaomi, SenseTime, and Megvii now find themselves banned for Texas state employees and devices. With the goal to prevent cyber attacks that could result in the exfiltration of sensitive data to "bad actors across the globe," says Chief White, reflecting on the broader cybersecurity strategy put into place since June, when TXCC was established by Governor Abbott.
The move is the latest in Governor Abbott's campaign to beef up digital defenses and comes at a time when concerns around cybersecurity and data privacy are at an all-time high. The decision is expected to impact a broad range of sectors within the state that rely on technology, both from an operational standpoint and compliance with the new regulations. The full list of prohibited technologies can be found on the Governor's official website.
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