Week 1
Team Texas
Building strong partnerships and collaboration across Texas to strengthen our collective cybersecurity posture.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026
Texas First. Cyber Ready.
Advancing statewide resilience against accelerating threats.
Welcome
Welcome to Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026
Texas Cyber Command (TXCC) is proud to launch its 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaign, “Texas First. Cyber Ready.” This month-long, statewide initiative is dedicated to strengthening cyber resilience, advancing public-private collaboration, and equipping Texans with the knowledge and tools needed to defend against an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.
Read moreShow less
Throughout October, TXCC will bring together leaders from government, military, academia, industry, and local communities under this shared mission. Every day, cyber threats target critical systems supporting government operations, healthcare, education, transportation, energy, and financial services. While rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and digital services create tremendous opportunities for the state, they also introduce complex risks.
To address these challenges, TXCC is leading a campaign focused on education, collaboration, and operational preparedness. Explore the four weekly themes below, view the October events calendar, and join us throughout the month.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and every Texan plays a role in defending our digital borders.
Weekly themes
Four weeks, four priorities
Throughout October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month will feature weekly themes, live virtual webinars, and additional activities designed to provide practical information and actionable insights. All in-person events and virtual webinars are open to the public, and there is no expert background required to attend. Whether you are new to cyber or are a seasoned professional in the field, our goal is for you to walk away with practical and valuable takeaways.
Week 2
Defending Your Identity
Focusing on identity protection, credential security, and practical steps to help prevent unauthorized access.
Week 3
Emerging Technologies
Exploring evolving technologies and the cybersecurity opportunities and threats they create, including AI, quantum computing, and operational technology.
Week 4
Cyber Resilience
Focusing on strengthening our ability to prepare for, withstand, respond to, and recover from cyber threats.
October 2026
Events calendar
Select a highlighted date to view event details and registration information. All webinars begin at 10:00 AM Central and run 60 minutes.
1
2
3
4
6
7
9
10
11
12
14
16
17
18
19
21
24
25
26
28
30
31
Select a highlighted date above to see event details.
Monday, October 5, 2026 · 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Central
In-Person EventLimited Capacity
Space is strictly limited to 40 participants. To maximize the impact of this session, registration is reserved for state, local, higher education, and K–12 government leaders who can bring these strategies back to their respective teams.
October 8, 2026 · 10:00 AM Central
Virtual WebinarOpen to Public
Collaboration across Texas state agencies, local governments, higher education, and the private sector is essential to keeping our communities secure from evolving cyber threats. By examining real-world public-private partnerships, this session highlights key lessons learned from successful joint defenses and identifies new opportunities for future cooperation. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to break down silos and build a stronger, more connected defense network across the state.
October 13, 2026 · 10:00 AM Central
Virtual WebinarOpen to Public
Identity-related threats pose a constant risk to both personal security and organizational integrity in today's interconnected environment. By examining the mechanics of identity theft, account compromise, phishing, and social engineering, this session highlights practical ways to recognize and mitigate modern cyber risks. Participants will gain actionable best practices for identity protection, while clarifying the shared responsibilities that individuals and organizations hold in maintaining secure digital spaces.
October 15, 2026 · 10:00 AM Central
Virtual WebinarOpen to Public
Strong credential hygiene and the widespread adoption of multi-factor authentication (MFA) are essential to defending against modern cyber threats. By exploring common credential attacks, this session highlights the critical role that password best practices and password managers play in securing corporate and personal accounts. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to encourage MFA adoption and eliminate weak authentication vulnerabilities across their organizations.
October 20, 2026 · 10:00 AM Central
Virtual WebinarOpen to Public
The rise of AI-driven threats and sophisticated deepfakes presents a rapidly evolving challenge to modern organizational security. By exploring AI-powered phishing, deepfakes, and AI-assisted scams, this session highlights practical ways to recognize and mitigate these next-generation tactics. Participants will walk away with actionable strategies for detection and response to defend both personal and corporate assets from automated exploitation.
October 22, 2026 · 10:00 AM Central
Virtual WebinarOpen to Public
The arrival of quantum computing introduces both transformative technological potential and unprecedented risks to current cybersecurity architectures. This session introduces quantum computing, analyzing its specific impact on encryption protocols and the urgent transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Attendees will gain a practical framework for future preparation, including insights into Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and strategies to ensure long-term data resilience.
October 23, 2026 · 10:00 AM Central
Virtual WebinarOpen to Public
Operational technology (OT) vulnerabilities and growing threats to critical infrastructure require heightened awareness and specialized defense strategies. By exploring OT fundamentals and examining real-world incidents, this session highlights practical frameworks for risk mitigation across industrial control systems. Technology leaders, security professionals, and general audience members will walk away with actionable insights to protect vital public and private assets from disruptive cyber-attacks.
Register / Join for Critical Infrastructure & Operational Technology
October 27, 2026 · 10:00 AM Central
Virtual WebinarOpen to Public
Strengthening cyber resilience across Texas government requires a unified, proactive approach to modern digital threats. By focusing on the core pillars of preparedness, incident response, and recovery, this session highlights practical strategies to maintain operational continuity during a crisis. Public sector leaders, technology professionals, and general audience members will gain actionable insights into leveraging statewide coordination to build a faster, more effective defense network for all of Texas.
Register / Join for Strengthening Statewide Cyber Resilience
Thursday, October 29, 2026 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central
In-Person EventOpen to Public
An in-person event held in the State Capitol Auditorium. The program will feature keynote remarks, panel discussions with statewide cybersecurity leaders, and updates on Texas Cyber Command initiatives.
10:00 a.m.
Session I: Strengthening Statewide Cyber Resilience
Jonathan King, Bryce Carter, ASAC Matt Sellman
11:15 a.m.
Session II: AI-Driven Threats & Deepfakes — Can You Trust What You See and Hear?
Rohit Eleti
Resources
Cybersecurity resources
Cybersecurity tips, training, guidance, videos, and related resources will be added throughout the month. Check back for new material each week.
- CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Month National resources, tips, and toolkits from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to help individuals and organizations stay safe online.
- Texas A&M Cybersecurity Games Campus-wide security awareness games for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Show more resourcesShow fewer resources
- CSSIA Interactives Interactive activities for learning cybersecurity and networking skills.
- CAE EPNC Cyber Competitions Cybersecurity competitions for students building their skills.
- MS-ISAC Awareness Toolkit Printable cybersecurity awareness materials from the MS-ISAC (CIS).
- NIST Awareness, Training & Education Guidance and publications on building cybersecurity awareness programs.
- Join the TX-ISAO Request access to Texas ISAO advisories and newsletters.
- TXDOT Security Hands-On Workshop Hands-on SOC and Capture the Flag workshop. October 14, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM, TXDOT Stassney HQ, Austin. Bring a laptop; space limited to 40. Register by email at ITD_THW@txdot.gov.
Get involved
Join the mission
Stay engaged throughout the month, explore each weekly theme, and join us for the live webinars and events. Every Texan has a role to play in protecting our digital borders. Together, we can stay informed, stay prepared, and keep Texas cyber ready.
Questions about Cybersecurity Awareness Month? Contact TXCCSecurity@txcc.texas.gov.