Over the past 16 months, the United States has focused on the ongoing public health crisis, but foreign dissidents have stepped up cyber-attacks with sophisticated and debilitating Bezaware attacks across the country. A series of 2020 Bezaware attacks targeting major US hospitals, such as the April Colonial Pipeline attack and the 2020 pandemic epidemic, reflect the need to prevent such attacks.
Last July, for example, nearly two dozen cities around Texas, including several in North Texas, were involved in a number of Russian-linked cyber-attacks, and city officials and employees were denied access to local government computer systems. Texas communities have been disrupted for several days by a series of attacks, the extent of which was unknown until recently. These attacks are on the rise as cyber-attacks and serve as a warning to large and small attacks.
A.D. In 2021 alone, only six criminal organizations behind US cyber-attacks received more than $ 45 million in ransom money, according to Atlas VPN. And an analysis by cyber security company eSentire shows that 292 companies were hit between January 1 and April 30.
If we do not protect these systems, we will be more vulnerable to cyber warfare.
Increased cyber-attacks against US companies and state and federal entities jeopardize critical infrastructure and economic systems. There is no doubt that our economic and national security are inseparable. The private sector has played an important role in combating new threats and safeguarding our national security. The ability of the United States to create and maintain our global technological edge will be crucial in the fight against the growing number of cyber enemies.
Texas, the birthplace of the emerging technology sector, is at the forefront of American innovation and growth. Texas is the sixth largest cyber-state in the United States, accounting for 17% of the workforce. There are about 45,000 tech businesses in Texas, employing more than 1 million residents.
At the time of the epidemic, technology not only boosted the Texas economy but also contributed to efforts to strengthen US national security and international competitiveness. In addition to taking state measures to improve cyber security protocols and prevent future malicious attacks, Texas is home to a number of defense-based companies that support critical projects in cooperation with the U.S. military.
Texas is a leader in the fight against foreign enemies who seek to harm the United States as a global leader. This position is even more important than ever before as techno-automakers increase their cyber attacks through beware attacks and malicious hacking. Our nation’s security depends largely on Texas’ ability to maintain a strong and prosperous technology industry.
Our elected leaders need to be aware of the unintended consequences of antitrust policies in Washington that could weaken America’s technological and economic edge, endanger Texas operations, and jeopardize cyber warfare.
Francis Townsend is a former White House counterterrorism and national security adviser to President George W. Bush. Townsend serves on the National Security Advisory Board of the US Edge Project. She wrote this column for Dallas Morning News.
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