Texas Cyber Command chief champions teamwork as key to cyber defense success
Near the end of a successful cybersecurity for critical infrastructure training event in Corpus Christi, Texas, last week, the Cybersecurity Manufacturing and Innovation Institute (CyManII) welcomed Vice Admiral Timothy James “TJ” White USN (Ret.), Chief of the Texas Cyber Command (TXCC), to speak to attendees about the need for a collective defense in cyberspace.
“Having Chief White join CyManII was incredibly meaningful,” said Dr. Howard Grimes, CyManII CEO. “He understands the value of collaboration and brings a perspective that perfectly complements our work. His presence reinforces that safeguarding our infrastructure depends on coordination, trust, and a shared commitment across all sectors.”
White delivered a message that resonated deeply with CyManII’s mission of fostering community-wide cybersecurity engagement and collaboration under its “Secure Together” initiative as cyber threats to critical infrastructure rise nationwide.
“If you don’t have infrastructure [or] cyberspace, there’d be no hot water, no fuel at the pump, no H-E-B … no barbecue,” White said. “I’m trying to make it hit home [with] those things that are … real Texas.”
A retired Navy veteran with 37 years of service, White shared his background and drew parallels between his family’s history in refineries and pipelines and Corpus Christi’s deep ties to the petrochemical and energy sectors.
“Texas is the eighth largest economy in the world,” he said. “We don’t push from down hole midstream to the port without being connected in cyberspace.”
The vulnerabilities in cyberspace White discussed align closely with CyManII’s core focus on protecting OT systems that underpin critical infrastructure. Through CyManII’s recent efforts, the institute has trained 140 professionals across eight critical infrastructure sectors and bolstered protections for over 3.6 million Texans.
“CyManII does that really well,” White said. “That’s one of the things we hope the Texas government can take advantage of.”
White’s endorsement underscores how TXCC plans to collaborate with institutes like CyManII to fulfill its mandates under House Bill 150, which created TXCC to “leverage the cybersecurity expertise and resources of state, local, and federal partners in San Antonio to protect Texans against cyber threats.”
“This law is good law,” White said. “This isn’t a partisan thing. It’s not an us vs. them thing or a blue vs. red thing. Cybersecurity is a real thing. The state not only recognizes it but embraces the shared vision … of economic prosperity.”
That economic prosperity in Texas, however, is only attainable when those on the cybersecurity frontlines work together to defend critical infrastructure against ongoing cyber threats.
“You will not succeed alone,” White said. “You have to have teammates.”
