1. When was the Council Created?
2. Who is on the Councl?
3. What will the Council do?
4. What authority was granted to the Council?
5. When does the Council meet?
6. What role does DIR play?
7. Are reports available from the Council?

1. When was the Council created?
   
   The Council was created by Senate Bill 988, which was proposed legislation filed on Feb 28, 2011, by Senator Letica Van De Putte. The proposed legislation became law when signed by Governor Perry on June 17, 2011.

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2. Who is on the Council?
   
   The Council is composed of the following:
   • One representative from the Department of Information Resources;
   • One representative from the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office in the office of the governor;
   • Two representatives from institutions of higher education with cybersecurity-related programs;
   • One representative from a public junior college, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, with a cybersecurity-related program;
   • One state military forces liaison experienced in the cybersecurity field; and
   • Three representatives from chamber of commerce organizations or businesses who have a cybersecurity background.

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3. What will the Council do?
   
   The Council was created to leverage public/private partnerships to improve the infrastructure of the state’s cybersecurity operations, to examine strategies to accelerate the growth of cybersecurity as an industry within Texas, and to encourage industry members to call Texas “home.”

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4. What authority was granted to the Council?
   
   Texas Senate Bill 988 authorizes the executive director of DIR to establish the Council as follows:
   • “Section 2. Not later than the 30th day after the effective date of this Act, the executive director of the Department of Information Resources shall appoint the members of the Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council”
   • “Section 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.”
   As per SB 988 direction, the Council will be abolished on September 1, 2013. The Council’s sole purpose and authority is to produce the report for state leadership to accomplish the previously stated goals.

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5. When does the Council meet?
   
   The full Council will meet on a quarterly basis, or as determined by the Chairman. Council sub-committees will meet regularly via teleconference for working meetings.

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6. What role does DIR play?
   
   DIR will not provide guidance to the Council other than through the regular Council duties associated with the single chair it occupies. However DIR does provide administrative support to the Council and is available to be called upon by the council to the extent that DIR has subject matter expertise that the council requires.

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7. Are reports available from the Council?
   
   Yes, however, due to the potentially sensitive nature of work being done by the Council, only approved work product/documentation will be posted on its website. Requests for release of information can be made to Chad Lersch, Public Information Officer. Requests will be administratively coordinated by the DIR PIO, however requests will be processed by the Council membership.

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