(The Center Square) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued another directive to combat Chinese cybercrimes specifically by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
He’s directed state agencies and state-owned medical facilities to address potential cybersecurity concerns linked to medical equipment manufactured in the PRC. A new directive instructs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Department of State Health Services and public university systems to review cybersecurity and procurement policies to protect Texans from data breaches of their medical information.
“Maintaining Texans’ physical security and protecting their personal privacy, especially personal medical data, is of paramount importance,” he said. “I will not let Communist China spy on Texans. State-owned medical facilities must ensure there are safeguards in place to protect Texans’ private medical data and our critical medical infrastructure.”
The directive comes after the Trump administration Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Food and Drug Administration have issued warnings about certain Chinese-manufactured monitors that contain a “backdoor” through which bad actors can control the device remotely and illegally access patient data. The Trump Administration first issued a series of warnings about cybersecurity vulnerabilities with certain patient monitors last January.
Both agencies have warned about security risks, issuing notices confirming national security expert warnings about data privacy breaches through Chinese-manufactured smart medical devices nationwide.
The state agencies are tasked with reviewing what devices are owned and used by state facilities that could be vulnerable to cyberattacks and patient data theft. They're also tasked with working with Texas’ new Cyber Command to address the threats among other actions.
Last year, Abbott identified creating the Texas Cyber Command as an emergency item for the legislative session. The legislature passed a bill creating it, which Abbott signed into law last June. Based in San Antonio, the Texas Cyber Command “is the largest state-based cybersecurity department in America,” Abbott said.
In January Abbott also expanded a list of banned technologies for state employees and devices, including additional restrictions on physical hardware, artificial intelligence and software affiliated with the PRC and CCP, The Center Square reported.
These were additional actions he’s taken to combat cyberthreats from China and other foreign actors.
Last year, he issued five directives to state agencies to protect Texans from PRC and CCP threats. He instructed law enforcement to investigate and arrest alleged CCP and PRC operatives targeting Texans of Chinese descent; directed state agencies to prepare for potential threats against Texas’ critical infrastructure from a hostile foreign government or proxies, including the CCP and PRC; ordered state agencies to divest from investments originating from China; and banned the use of AI and social media apps affiliated with the PRC and CCP on government-issued devices, The Center Square reported.
The legislature incorporated many of these directives into bills it passed that Abbott signed into law, including cybercrime and counter-espionage bills addressing PRC and CCP threats. He also signed into law a bill banning foreign adversaries from purchasing land in Texas. It remains in effect after multiple failed legal challenges, The Center Square reported.
In December 2022, Abbott was among the first governors to ban state employees from using TikTok. The social media platform was previously primarily owned by ByteDance Ltd., which employed CCP members; its subsidiary was partially owned by the CCP.
“As cyberattacks increase in significance and sophistication across the globe, it is critical that Texas utilize cutting-edge capabilities to secure our state. Threats from China, Iran, Russia, and other foreign enemies are growing. President Donald Trump empowered states to more effectively prepare for cyberattacks and defend our infrastructure, and Texas is ready to harness our assets to protect our power, water, and communications,” Abbott said, The Center Square reported.
