Texas Cyberstar Certificate Program

Overview 

Texas Government Code Section 2054.5181 Cyberstar Program; Certificate of Approval requires the state cybersecurity coordinator to establish a Cyberstar certificate program to recognize public and private entities in Texas that implement the best practices for cybersecurity. The sections that follow explain the requirements for receiving a Texas Cyberstar Certificate, the process for requesting a certificate, and a listing of awarded certificates. 

Approach 

The state cybersecurity coordinator seeks to provide support and resources to strengthen security throughout Texas. The Texas Cyberstar Certificate Program enhances this goal by encouraging cybersecurity best practices and promoting some of DIR's services and recommendations to public and private sector entities.  Entities certified through the program may include the certificate in advertisements and other public communications.  

The Texas Cyberstar Certificate is recognition of an organization's commitment to cybersecurity best practices and to being a good organizational cybercitizen in the Texas cybercommunity. It does not validate an organization's overall cybersecurity program or its ability to withstand an attempted cyber breach, hack, attack, etc. 

Cyberstar Certificate Requirements  

In alignment with Government Code section 2054.5181, the state cybersecurity coordinator, in consultation with the Texas Cybersecurity Council, selected the following five criteria for entities seeking to obtain a Texas Cyberstar Certificate. An entity must:   

  • Adopt a cybersecurity risk management program; 
  • Provide appropriate training and information for employees; 
  • Maintain consistency with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards for cybersecurity; 
  • Incorporate public service announcements to encourage cybersecurity awareness; and 
  • Coordinate with local and state governmental entities. 

There are 12 subcriteria for entities to be awarded a Texas Cyberstar Certificate.  Refer to the Texas Cyberstar Certificate Program Manual for details. 

Certificate Request 

Submit a Texas Cyberstar Certificate request using the link below.  You will be notified within 30 days of the determination of the Texas Cyberstar Certificate status. 

There is no cost to submit a certificate request.  Certificates need to be renewed annually. 

Submit a Texas Cyberstar Certificate request 

Current Texas Cyberstar Certificates  

In accordance with Texas Government Code 2054.5181, the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) has awarded the following Texas Cyberstar Certificates. 

Program/ Product Name

Organization Name

Award Date

Denton County, Texas

Denton County

6/10/2022

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

6/10/2022

Trinity River Authority of Texas IT/OT Security Program

Trinity River Authority of Texas

6/10/2022

Texas A&M University – San Antonio Texas A&M University – San Antonio 7/13/2022
eCourtDate, Inc.  eCourtDate, Inc. 8/18/2022
Corpus Christi ISD Corpus Christi ISD 8/18/2022
Port of Corpus Christi Authority Port of Corpus Christi Authority 9/14/2022
San Jacinto College San Jacinto College 10/04/2022
Round Rock Independent School District Round Rock Independent School District 10/25/2022
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Texas Department of Family and Protective Services 11/03/2022
Centre Technologies, Inc. Centre Technologies, Inc. 12/22/2022
Ironwood Cyber Ironwood Cyber 12/22/2022
City of Bryan City of Bryan 1/10/2023
Texas Association of Counties Texas Association of Counties 1/10/2023
Deer Park ISD Deer Park ISD 1/25/2023
City of Conroe City of Conroe 3/23/2023
Harris Central Appraisal District  Harris Central Appraisal District 3/23/2023

*Certificates are valid for one year from award date

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Public and private entities in Texas, who meet the requirements specified in the Texas Cyberstar Certificate Program Manual, are eligible for a Texas Cyberstar Certificate. 

Certificates are valid for one year. 

The Texas Cyberstar Certificate Program Manual includes a list of resources to help organizations meet the requirements. 

No, this is a voluntary program to recognize public and private entities in Texas that implement the best practices for cybersecurity. 

The Texas Cyberstar Certificate Program recognizes entities in Texas that implement the best practices for cybersecurity.  TX-RAMP provides a standardized approach for security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring of cloud computing services that process the data of a state agency.  Refer to the TX-RAMP webpage for more details.  

Version History

Version

Date

Description

1.0

6/10/2022

Initial posting of Texas Cyberstar Certificates

2.0

7/13/2022

Addition of Texas A&M University – San Antonio

3.0

8/18/2022

Addition of 2 cyberstar certificates and edit to previous certificate

4.0

9/14/2022

Addition of 1 cyberstar certificate

5.0 10/04/2022 Addition of 1 cyberstar certificate
6.0 10/25/2022 Addition of 1 cyberstar certificate
7.0 11/03/2022 Addition of 1 cyberstar certificate
8.0 12/22/2022 Addition of 2 cyberstar certificates
9.0 1/10/2023 Addition of 2 cyberstar certificates
10.0 1/25/2023 Addition of 1 cyberstar certificate
11.0 3/23/2023 Addition of 2 cyberstar certificates

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