Governor Abbott orders review of cybersecurity protections for medical devices linked to China
Austin, Texas – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies and publicly owned medical facilities to examine possible cybersecurity threats tied to medical equipment manufactured in the People’s Republic of China. The directive comes amid growing national concerns about the potential for foreign technology to expose sensitive medical data and critical healthcare infrastructure to outside access.
In a letter released by the governor, Abbott instructed several state entities to begin reviewing their cybersecurity protections and procurement practices. The directive specifically calls on the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services, and public university systems across the state to evaluate how medical devices are purchased and monitored within their healthcare systems.
The move aims to ensure that Texans’ personal health information and medical networks remain protected from potential breaches or unauthorized access.
“Maintaining Texans’ physical security and protecting their personal privacy, especially personal medical data, is of paramount importance,” said Governor Abbott. “I will not let Communist China spy on Texans. State-owned medical facilities must ensure there are safeguards in place to protect Texans’ private medical data and our critical medical infrastructure.”
Federal Warnings Prompt State Review
The governor’s action follows warnings issued earlier this year by federal agencies regarding security vulnerabilities found in certain medical monitoring equipment produced in China.
In January, the Trump Administration’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released notices detailing cybersecurity weaknesses discovered in Chinese-manufactured patient monitoring devices. According to those alerts, some of the devices could allow unauthorized individuals to remotely access protected health information.
These warnings raised alarms among cybersecurity specialists who have long cautioned that the widespread use of foreign-manufactured smart medical equipment could expose hospitals and clinics to data privacy risks.
Abbott’s letter highlights the need for state healthcare systems to carefully evaluate their equipment and policies to ensure that medical devices connected to hospital networks cannot be exploited by outside actors.
The governor’s directive instructs agencies to examine both existing technology in use and future purchasing decisions, with the goal of strengthening safeguards that protect patient data and medical infrastructure.
Broader Effort to Counter Foreign Cyber Threats
The cybersecurity review is part of a larger effort by the state government to address what Abbott has described as threats posed by hostile foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist Party.
In recent years, the governor has implemented a number of measures aimed at limiting foreign influence and strengthening digital security across Texas government systems.
Among those actions, Abbott directed that certain technologies be added to the state’s Prohibited Technology list in order to prevent them from being used within government networks.
He also signed legislation described as the strongest law in the United States banning hostile foreign adversaries from purchasing land in Texas.
Additionally, Abbott established the Texas Cyber Command, which officials say is the largest state-based cybersecurity department in the country. The agency was created to coordinate defense against cyber threats targeting Texas infrastructure, businesses, and government systems.
The governor has also issued executive orders GA-47, GA-48, and GA-49, all aimed at countering activities linked to Communist China.
Through these steps, Abbott said the state is working to ensure that both the physical safety of Texans and the security of their personal information remain protected.
