Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are no longer separate conversations for public-sector organizations.
Employees are using more digital tools, handling increasingly sensitive information, and encountering new threats that move faster than traditional training cycles. At the same time, generative AI is becoming part of everyday work, creating opportunities for productivity alongside new questions around data security, accuracy, governance, and responsible use.
For Texas state and local government organizations, that makes employee education especially important.
Breach Secure Now has developed two training courses for the 2026-27 Texas training year:
- 2026-27 Texas Cybersecurity Training
- 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training
Breach Secure Now’s AI Awareness Training program has been certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) under Texas law. Texas Government Code Sections 2054.5191 and 2054.5193 require certain state and local government employees and officials to complete a certified artificial intelligence awareness training program. DIR, in consultation with the Public Sector AI Systems Advisory Board, certifies eligible training programs to comply with this requirement.
Together, the courses give Texas public-sector employees a practical foundation for navigating two of the most important workplace technology issues today.
Cybersecurity Training Built Around Everyday Risk
Cybersecurity incidents increasingly begin with human behavior.
Phishing messages are becoming more convincing. Stolen credentials can provide attackers with access to business systems. Social engineering attempts can arrive through email, text messages, collaboration platforms, or phone calls.
The 2026-27 Texas Cybersecurity Training is designed to help employees recognize those risks and understand the role they play in protecting organizational systems and information.
Rather than treating cybersecurity as something that belongs only to IT, effective awareness training helps employees recognize that everyday decisions matter.
Should I click this link? Is this login request legitimate? Should I share this information? Does this request need to be independently verified?
Building better instincts around those moments helps create a workforce that can participate actively in protecting the organization.
The cybersecurity course runs approximately 16 minutes, followed by a 10-question assessment. Employees who score 80 percent or higher earn a certificate of completion.
Preparing Employees for AI in the Workplace
The second course addresses a newer but rapidly growing workplace need.
The 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training is a certified artificial intelligence awareness training program designed to help public-sector professionals better understand AI, including key concepts, risks, responsible use considerations, and its role in the modern workplace.
AI tools can help employees research information, summarize documents, draft communications, organize ideas, and improve productivity. But those benefits also introduce questions employees need to understand.
What information is appropriate to enter into an AI tool? How should AI-generated information be verified? What risks arise when employees use unapproved tools? Where should human judgment remain part of the process?
Those questions are becoming increasingly relevant as AI adoption accelerates across both private and public organizations.
At approximately 11 minutes, the AI course provides a focused learning experience designed to make those concepts approachable without overwhelming employees. Like the cybersecurity course, it includes a 10-question final assessment and certificate of completion for employees who achieve a passing score.
By supporting AI awareness and education, the program contributes to broader statewide efforts to strengthen workforce readiness and promote informed decision-making as government organizations explore the use of AI.
Why Training Matters for Texas Public-Sector Employees
Texas Government Code Sections 2054.5191 and 2054.5193 require certain state and local government employees and officials to complete a certified artificial intelligence awareness training program. The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR), in consultation with the Public Sector AI Systems Advisory Board, certifies eligible training programs to comply with this requirement.
Applicable Texas requirements also call for annual cybersecurity training for covered public-sector employees and officials, with certain contractors who have access to state computer systems or databases included within the cybersecurity training requirements.
But the value of training extends beyond satisfying an annual requirement.
Effective training gives employees practical skills they can apply during the other 364 days of the year.
It helps employees recognize threats before they become incidents. It helps teams understand how to approach AI safely and productively. And it helps organizations build a shared understanding that cybersecurity, AI awareness, and responsible technology use are part of everyone’s job.
That is especially important for public-sector organizations responsible for delivering essential services and protecting citizen information.
Moving Beyond Minimum Compliance
Compliance provides an important starting point, but the strongest organizations use required training as an opportunity to build a broader culture of awareness.
That means reinforcing cybersecurity throughout the year, continuing AI education as tools evolve, and giving employees the knowledge they need to make confident decisions.
Breach Secure Now’s Texas-focused cybersecurity training and DIR-certified AI Awareness Training bring cybersecurity, AI awareness, and compliance together in a practical format designed for today’s workforce.
DIR certification confirms that the AI Awareness Training program meets state-established criteria for AI awareness training content. Certification applies to the program content only and does not extend to other regulatory or statutory requirements.
Because meeting a requirement matters. Preparing employees for what comes next matters even more.
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