In a roundtable held in San Antonio on Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) and White House National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross announced the launch of Project Watershed 250. The new program connects Texas water and wastewater utilities with federal, state and private‑sector cyber‑defense resources at no cost to the providers.
Why the program matters for Texas families
Water systems are essential to daily life and to the safety of homes, schools and businesses. Rural utilities, in particular, often lack the funding and expertise needed to defend against sophisticated cyber attacks. Abbott’s office said the initiative will close that gap, making Texas water infrastructure a harder target for hostile foreign adversaries such as China and Iran.
How Project Watershed 250 works
The effort pairs the expertise of the Texas Cyber Command, led by Vice Admiral (Ret.) T.J. White, with the capabilities of the Office of the National Cyber Director and a coalition of private‑sector partners. Those partners will supply tools, threat intelligence and incident‑response support to participating utilities, all provided free of charge.
“Project Watershed 250 will connect water utility providers with cyber‑defense resources at no cost by leveraging the experience of private‑sector businesses with the expertise of the Texas Cyber Command,” Governor Abbott said.
Legislative background
The Texas Cyber Command was created as an emergency item during the 89th Legislative Session. Lawmakers passed HB 150, establishing the command as a state agency responsible for cybersecurity operations and incident response for state and local systems and critical infrastructure. Abbott signed the bill into law in June 2025, and his office describes the command as the largest state‑based cybersecurity department in the United States.
Local impact and next steps
Project Watershed 250 will initially focus on water and wastewater utilities, but the model could be expanded to other critical sectors such as energy and transportation. By integrating federal resources with state and local expertise, the program aims to protect the essential services that families rely on every day.
Utility operators interested in joining the program are encouraged to contact the Texas Cyber Command for enrollment details. The partnership underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to strengthening America’s infrastructure against foreign threats while supporting Texas communities.
Original reporting: WBAP News/Talk (Dallas-Fort Worth) — read the source article.
