U.S. Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 — State Agency Security Control Standards
SmartSuite provides the system for managing controls, evidence, mappings, assessments, and reporting. Framework text may require a separate license unless explicitly provided.
Overview
U.S. Texas DIRControl Standards 2.0 is a cybersecurity and compliance frameworkthat establishes baseline security controls for Texas state agenciesto safeguard information systems and data assets. Its primary purposeis to reduce cybersecurity risks, enhance data protection, and ensurecompliance with state regulations.
Developed andpublished by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR),this framework applies to all state agencies, providing standardizedguidelines and control objectives covering cybersecurity management,risk assessment, access control, incident response, and privacygovernance. It serves as a foundation for state-level regulatorycompliance and operational resilience programs.
Organizationsimplement Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 by tailoring controlrequirements to their environments, developing security policies andprocedures, and documenting evidence to meet audit and oversightrequirements. The standards support internal risk managementpractices and complement national frameworks, such as NIST and CIS,by addressing the unique regulatory needs of Texas state agencies.
Why it Matters
The Texas DIRControl Standards 2.0 establish a consistent security baseline tohelp state agencies mitigate cyber risks and fulfill statutoryobligations.
Key benefitsinclude:
• Strengthen cybersecurity governance
Enable agenciesto implement structured oversight, ensuring responsibilities andsecurity priorities are clearly defined and regularly reviewed.
• Support compliance with state regulations
Facilitatecontinuous alignment with Texas statutes, reducing compliance gapsand supporting fulfillment of required reporting obligations.
• Enhance operational resilience
Minimize servicedisruptions and strengthen business continuity by promotingrisk-based planning and resiliency strategies.
• Improve incident response readiness
Enable fasteridentification, reporting, and management of security incidentsthrough established protocols and response processes.
• Promote consistent data protection
Standardizesafeguards to protect sensitive and regulated agency information fromunauthorized access, loss, or disclosure.
How it Works
The U.S. TexasDIR Control Standards 2.0 framework structures its securityrequirements into comprehensive control families that align with keygovernance domains, such as access control, risk management, incidentresponse, and system integrity. These controls are tailored for Texasstate agencies and are mapped to regulatory expectations and bestpractices established by NIST SP 800-53. The framework establishes acommon control catalog, which serves as the foundation for assessing,implementing, and maintaining security safeguards across stateentities.
In practice,organizations implement Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 by evaluatingcurrent security controls, conducting risk assessments, and mappingcontrols to organizational governance and compliance programs.Agencies routinely assess compliance, document control effectiveness,monitor security practices, and address any identified gaps. Theframework also guides periodic monitoring, audit preparation, andsupports ongoing risk management to ensure continued alignment withstate regulatory requirements.
SmartSuiteenables organizations to operationalize the Texas DIR ControlStandards 2.0 by utilizing built-in control libraries, maintainingcentralized risk registers, and supporting policy governancedocumentation. Teams can collect and manage evidence, trackcompliance status, initiate remediation workflows, and prepare foraudits using dashboards and reporting features that providevisibility into security controls, risk management activities, andoverall compliance posture.
Key Elements
• Control Standard Families
Organizesrequirements into groups addressing specific areas such as accessmanagement, incident response, and system integrity.
• Risk Assessment Processes
Describesstructured procedures for evaluating, documenting, and mitigatingsecurity risks to state information assets.
• Governance and Oversight Structure
Establishespolicies, roles, and responsibilities to ensure compliance andeffective security program management.
• Technical Safeguard Requirements
Specifiestechnical control measures for protecting systems, includingencryption and configuration management.
• Physical and Environmental Protections
Outlinesstandards for securing physical infrastructure and managingenvironmental risks to information technology assets.
• Personnel Security Controls
Definesrequirements for staff training, background checks, and ongoingpersonnel security awareness.
• Continuous Monitoring Activities
Describesprocesses for ongoing evaluation and review of implemented securitycontrols and compliance status.
Framework Scope
The Texas DIRControl Standards 2.0 is adopted by Texas state agencies and entitiesmanaging government data and IT systems. It governs securitycontrols, data protection, and risk management across networks,endpoints, and information systems, and is typically implemented tosatisfy state regulatory requirements and improve regulatorycompliance oversight and operational resilience.
Framework Objectives
U.S. Texas DIRControl Standards 2.0 sets clear expectations for state agencies tomanage cybersecurity risks and safeguard sensitive data.
• Strengthen cybersecurity risk management practices across stateagency operations
• Enhance governance and oversight of security controls andprocedures
• Support compliance with relevant regulatory and statutoryrequirements
• Promote operational resilience and continuity through robustsecurity controls
• Improve data protection and privacy for citizen andorganizational information
• Enable increased audit readiness by maintaining effectivedocumentation and evidence The Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 alignwith frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, CIS Controls, and ISO 27001,providing state agencies with tailored security control requirements.Organizations typically implement these standards to meet stateregulatory compliance, improve security governance, and ensurealignment with broader federal and industry cybersecurityexpectations.
Common Framework Mappings
Texas DIRControl Standards 2.0 is often mapped to widely adopted cybersecurityand privacy frameworks to facilitate regulatory alignment, simplifyaudits, bridge gaps, and streamline enterprise compliance initiativesacross various industries.
Mappedframeworks include:
CIS Controls
COBIT
CJIS SecurityPolicy
FedRAMP
HIPAA SecurityRule
ISO/IEC 27001
NISTCybersecurity Framework
NIST SP 800-53
PCI DSS
SOC 2
- ClassicifationCategoryCybersecurityDomainCybersecurityFramework FamilyOther
- Regulatory ContextTypeControl FrameworkLegal InstrumentStandardSectorGovernment SectorIndustryGovernment & Public Sector
- Region / PublisherRegionNorth AmericaRegion DetailTexas (specifically, the State of Texas) ([dir.texas.gov](https://dir.texas.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/DIR%20Security%20Control%20Standards%20Catalog%202.0.pdf?utm_source=openai))PublisherTexas Department of Information Resources (DIR)
- VersioningVersion2.0Effective DateJanuary 20, 2022Issue DateJanuary 20, 2022
- AdoptionAdoption ModelRegulatory ComplianceImplementation ComplexityHigh
- Official ReferenceOpen Link in New TabSource
License included / downloadable: Yes
The Texas DIR publishes the State Agency Security Control Standards (Control Standards 2.0) freely on its official website. License included with platform
How SmartSuite Supports TX DIR 2.0
Manage Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 requirements by organizing state security controls, tracking implementation across agencies, and maintaining evidence supporting compliance, risk management, and audit readiness.
State Control Library Management
Structure DIR security controls with ownership, scope, and implementation status across systems.
Risk Assessment and Control Mapping
Link controls to risks, systems, and business processes to prioritize remediation efforts.
Policy and Standards Governance
Centralize security policies, procedures, and compliance documentation aligned to DIR requirements.
Control Performance and Security Monitoring
Track control performance, security monitoring activities, and ongoing validation of safeguards.
Incident Response and Security Operations
Manage incident workflows, escalation procedures, and response activities across state environments.
DIR Audit and Assessment Readiness Reporting
Provide dashboards showing control coverage, open gaps, and readiness for DIR audits and assessments.
Related frameworks
CIS Controls v8.1 provides prioritized, practical security actions to help organizations mitigate common cyber threats and strengthen defenses.
FedRAMP standardizes security requirements to assess, authorize, and continuously monitor cloud services that handle U.S. federal data.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is an international ISMS standard that helps organizations manage information security risks and protect data.
ISO/IEC 27002:2022 provides best-practice information security controls to help organizations select, implement, and manage protections for information assets.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v2.0 is a risk-based framework that helps organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks.
Frequently Asked Questions For Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 (State Agency Security Control Standards)
Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 provides a standardized set of cybersecurity and risk management controls for all Texas state agencies. The framework is intended to guide organizations in protecting information systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and aligning with statewide IT security objectives.
Yes, compliance with Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 is mandatory for all state agencies and higher education institutions in Texas, as directed by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). Agencies must adopt the controls or document and justify any exceptions as part of their information security program.
The standards apply to all Texas state agencies, including institutions of higher education, that manage or operate information systems storing, processing, or transmitting state-owned data. Contractors or service providers may also need to follow these standards when handling agency data.
Key controls include risk assessments, asset inventory, access control, incident response procedures, system monitoring, and acceptable use policies. Agencies are required to document compliance efforts and maintain supporting artifacts such as audit logs, security plans, and training records.
Implementation should begin with a gap assessment comparing existing practices to the DIR standards, followed by remediation planning to address deficiencies. Agencies must maintain documentation, assign control ownership, and verify that security measures are effective and up-to-date.
Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 aligns closely with the NIST SP 800-53 security control catalog, adapting its requirements to the Texas state context. Agencies may leverage existing controls implemented for frameworks like NIST or CIS but must ensure all DIR-specific requirements are met.
Ongoing compliance involves conducting regular self-assessments, annual risk assessments, periodic security training, and timely reporting of risks or incidents to DIR. Agencies should update artifacts and evidence to demonstrate sustained adherence to control requirements.
SmartSuite can help organizations manage Texas DIR Control Standards 2.0 by enabling centralized control tracking, risk assessment management, evidence collection, and automated alerts for compliance tasks. Its reporting and audit tools support audit readiness and help security leaders demonstrate control effectiveness during state or internal reviews.
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