Information Security
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. For 2023-2024, there are no new criteria. Refer to the Texas Cyberstar Certificate Program Manual for detailed criteria.
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 biennially.
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 |
| San Antonio ISD | San Antonio ISD | 5/31/2023 |
| Datamax, Inc. | Datamax, Inc. | 6/06/2023 |
| Denton County | Denton County | 7/07/2023 |
| Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi | Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi | 7/11/2023 |
| Trinity River Authority of Texas IT/OT Security Program | Trinity River Authority of Texas IT/OT Security Program | 8/11/2023 |
| Texas Tech University | Texas Tech University | 8/11/2023 |
| CyberGrand | City of Grand Prairie | 8/18/2023 |
| Port of Corpus Christi Authority | Port of Corpus Christi Authority | 8/18/2023 |
| College Station Utilities - Electric OT | College Station Utilities - Electric OT | 9/27/2023 |
| San Jacinto College | San Jacinto College | 9/27/2023 |
| Texas Department of Family and Protective Services | Texas Department of Family and Protective Services | 10/03/2023 |
| Alamo Colleges District | Alamo Colleges District | 10/10/2023 |
| Round Rock ISD | Round Rock ISD | 10/10/2023 |
| Northwest ISD | Northwest ISD | 10/23/2023 |
| Corpus Christi ISD | Corpus Christi ISD | 11/07/2023 |
| Deer Park ISD | Deer Park ISD | 1/04/2024 |
| Prosper ISD | Prosper ISD | 1/04/2024 |
| Ironwood Cyber Inc. | Ironwood Cyber Inc. | 1/04/2024 |
| City of Bryan | City of Bryan | 1/04/2024 |
| Harris Central Appraisal District | Harris Central Appraisal District | 2/29/2024 |
| City of Conroe | City of Conroe | 2/29/2024 |
| Texas Association of Counties | Texas Association of Counties | 2/29/2024 |
| eCourtDate | eCourtDate, Inc. | 2/29/2024 |
| Centre Technologies, Inc. | Centre Technologies, Inc. | 3/5/2024 |
| City of The Colony | City of The Colony | 3/12/2024 |
*Certificates awarded 6/1/2023 or later are valid for two years from award date. Certificates awarded before 6/1/2023 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 awarded 6/1/2023 or later are valid for two years from award date. Certificates awarded before 6/1/2023 are valid for two years from award date.
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.