Technology is crucial in fight against foreign cyberattacks

Over the past one year, the entire world is engulfed by the battle against COVID-19 seeking to stop the spread of this invisible enemy, and saving lives and livelihoods along the way. While the battle against COVID-19 continues, a different unseen threat has been threatening the security of our country. Cyberattacks by foreign adversaries, like the April Colonial Pipeline attack or the series of ransomware attacks which targeted the overloaded Texas hospitals, pose an ever-increasingly sophisticated and widespread risk across all of the United States.

We are being attacked in more ways than we’ve ever faced, yet our defenses might not be able to withstand the seriousness of these constant attacks. Antitrust legislation that is being discussed within Congress puts our country at risk, as it weakens the advancements we’ve created through public-private partnerships, putting us in the gap between technological advancement and economic growth, as well as giving the leadership to countries that have distinct values.

In particular, the law gives foreign entities the right to sue American tech innovators which could result in slowing or blocked technological innovations that are crucial in improving security and defense of the United States’ defense and cybersecurity strategy. In addition, the proposed legislation could shield most foreign tech firms like Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei from the oversight process and provide China with accessibility to U.S. data.

Although cybersecurity threats may appear distant, they’re right in your backyard. Numerous Texas towns were hit in an extensive cyberattack linked to Russia, which caused widespread chaos as well as days of interruptions, as city officials and employees were prevented from accessing the local government’s computer systems. Over the past two years, more than 60 Texas schools were affected by cyber-attacks which include Judson ISD located in San Antonio.

This increase in cyber attacks can be a threat to our critical infrastructure such as our hospitals, schools and the energy grid and, as citizens, we need to be proactive in securing these areas.

The U.S. tech industry has not just boosted the economy of the state during the outbreak but also helped to improve the security of the nation and its international competitiveness through collaboration in conjunction with the U.S. government to detect the threat, develop new solutions, and reduce threats through programs such as Cybersecurity Collaboration Center. Cybersecurity Collaboration Center.

Texas particularly is uniquely placed to thwart foreign adversaries who try to subvert the U.S. as a global leader. Texas is home to a vibrant tech industry that leads in the field of technological advancement and growth. San Antonio is key to this dominance as the 2nd biggest cyber-related hub within the United States.

The private sector has played an a significant role in tackling new threats and securing our security. The capacity of our country to invent and sustain our technological edge is crucial as we combat the growing cyber-hostilities from foreign adversaries in the future years.

In the future the elected officials of our country must be aware of the negative consequences that can be a result of anti-competition measures that are being debated in Washington which could reduce America’s technological and economic competitiveness and make Texas jobs at risk and make us more vulnerable to the threat of cyber war. The time is now to put money into strategies that are focused on the success in our schools, development of our companies, and the security of our nation’s economy and its citizens.