The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) hosted the 2026 Cyber Readiness Summit Feb. 3–5 at the Hilton College Station & Conference Center, convening leaders from government, technology and higher education to address the growing risks facing digital infrastructure.
Held in College Station, the summit focused on the theme “Driving a Healthy, Prosperous, and Resilient Community” and examined cybersecurity preparedness through all five pillars of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity (NIST) Framework: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover.
The event was designed to equip organizations, businesses and public entities with tools, insights and strategies to strengthen cyber resilience as threats continue to increase in scale and sophistication. Sessions emphasized preparedness across a wide range of environments, including cities, campuses, businesses and critical infrastructure systems.
TEEX, a member of the Texas A&M University System, plays a statewide and national role in workforce development, emergency response training and applied cybersecurity education. Through conferences, training programs and technical assistance, the agency supports public officials and industry partners tasked with safeguarding essential services and digital assets.
The Cyber Readiness Summit brought together elected officials, government administrators, information technology professionals, higher education leaders and private-sector vendors. By convening these groups in one setting, the summit highlighted the interconnected nature of cyber risk and the importance of coordination across sectors.
Organizers structured the event around the NIST framework to provide a common language for cybersecurity planning and decision-making. The approach allowed participants from different disciplines to engage in shared discussions about governance, technology investment, risk management and recovery planning.
The summit also underscored the role of collaboration between public institutions and technology firms. Vendor participation supported discussions around available tools and services, while public-sector attendance reinforced the policy and operational realities facing governments and educational institutions.
TEEX officials emphasized that cyber readiness is no longer limited to technical teams but increasingly requires engagement from executive leadership and elected officials. As communities rely more heavily on digital systems to deliver services, cybersecurity preparedness has become a core component of public trust and resilience.
Organizers said the Cyber Readiness Summit was intended to strengthen professional networks, encourage collaboration and help organizations stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.
Photos courtesy of The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
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