Certification of Cybersecurity Training Under HB 3834 Begins

The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) is now accepting applications to certify cybersecurity training programs.

House Bill (HB) 3834 of the 86^th Texas Legislature requires state and local government employees to complete a certified cybersecurity training annually, with an initial deadline of June 14, 2020. Local government employees include anyone who has access to a local government computer system or database, and elected officials. Access is defined as any person who has been given an account to access any local information system.

The DIR, in consultation with the Texas Cybersecurity Council, is required to certify at least five training programs. DIR has worked with statewide stakeholders and the Texas Cybersecurity Council to develop detailed certification criteria and a systematic process for certifying cybersecurity programs.

Once DIR certifies a minimum of five training programs, the list of programs will be published on the DIR website. DIR anticipates publishing the initial list of certified programs in October 2019. Programs will continue to be certified after the initial list is published.

Additional details are available on the cybersecurity awareness training certification webpage.