Last year, US businesses saw an unprecedented increase in cyberattacks. In fact, cyberbreaches were responsible for more than $6 billion in damages. Texas businesses ranked second nationwide for the most money lost in 2022. That total came to approximately $606.2 million in damages reported.
The Dallas FBI field office reported that attacks targeting private sector companies, critical infrastructure and government agencies crossed jurisdictions and regions throughout Texas. This month, a ransomware attack shut down phone lines and online chat systems for the Travis Central Appraisal District and last month, a similar attack shut down servers and email capabilities for the Dallas Central Appraisal District for more than two weeks. An Internet Crime Report called last year’s cyberbreaches ‘unprecedented’. Most governmental agencies are trying to find funding to increase network security and private sector firms are investing heavily in cybersecurity services.
There is a critical need for cybersecurity talent in the workforce. In Austin alone, there are approximately 13,000 unfilled job openings. Chief Security Officers and CIOs are in high demand nationwide, yet universities do not report increased demand for this type of curriculum.