Cybersecurity is the process of protecting internet-connected computer systems, such as hardware, software, and data, from cyber-threats. Cybersecurity is used by individuals and businesses to protect against unauthorized access to these computer systems when cyber criminals attempt to change, destroy, and steal sensitive data; extort money by making the systems unworkable; and interrupt business operations.
In Texas, cybersecurity is governed by a combination of state statutes and federal laws designed to protect computer systems and sensitive data from unauthorized access and cyber-threats. The Texas Business and Commerce Code, for example, includes provisions that require businesses to implement and maintain reasonable cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive personal information. Additionally, the Texas Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act imposes duties on businesses to protect and properly dispose of personal identifying information, and to notify individuals of breaches that may affect them. At the federal level, laws such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) provide a framework for criminalizing unauthorized access to computer systems and for facilitating the sharing of cybersecurity threat information between the government and the private sector. These laws are complemented by industry-specific regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) for healthcare data, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) for financial institutions, which mandate certain cybersecurity standards to protect sensitive data within those sectors.
