Texas Tech U. gets $149M grant for cyber, EMP testing site
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced that Texas Tech University will receive a $149 million grant to develop an electromagnetic pulse testing site and enhancements to its cybersecurity infrastructure.
According to Abbott’s office, the funding will strengthen “ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation by advancing research that addresses escalating threats to critical infrastructure across Texas and the United States.”
“This $149 million investment in cybersecurity will ensure that our state’s critical infrastructure systems are capable of withstanding attacks from hostile foreign adversaries,” Abbott said in a press release. “The researchers at Texas Tech lead the nation in safeguarding critical infrastructure from hackers and hostile foreign actors. Through initiatives like the Texas Cyber Command and investments into the safety and security of our state, Texas is on the path to be a national leader in cybersecurity.”
The grant is designed to expand efforts to identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities and protect critical infrastructure like the electric grid, water utilities and communications networks.
The university will reportedly work with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Energy, as well as the Army, Air Force and Navy.
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s website, EMP attacks include “high-altitude nuclear detonations, specialized conventional munitions, or non-nuclear directed energy devices.” They can damage critical infrastructure, causing cascading damage, “initially compromising one or more critical infrastructure sectors, spilling over into additional sectors or geographic regions, and adversely impacting millions of households and businesses.”
