{"id":84648,"topic":"ai","source":"Morningstar","title":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law - Morningstar","url":"https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","url_hash":"041fa8f902bf9f5da005a5d479a3b76e6e9c7722","author":"","summary":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law Morningstar","content":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Breach Secure Now (BSN), the leading provider of human-centric cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance training, today announced that its 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training program has been certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) under Texas law, aligning with statewide AI awareness training requirements.\nTexas 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.\nThe certification comes as cybersecurity and AI are increasingly becoming connected workplace issues for public-sector organizations. Employees are using more digital tools, handling increasingly sensitive information, and encountering new threats, while generative AI is creating new opportunities for productivity alongside questions around data security, accuracy, governance, and responsible use.\nTo address both areas, BSN developed two training courses for the 2026-27 Texas training year: 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training 2026-27 and Texas Cybersecurity Training. Together, the courses give Texas public-sector employees a practical foundation for navigating two of the most important workplace technology issues today.\n\"AI readiness in the public sector is as much a workforce challenge as it is a technology challenge,\" said Art Gross, CEO of BSN. \"Government organizations need employees who understand both the potential of AI and the responsibility that comes with using it, including how to use it securely, responsibly, and with appropriate human oversight. Our goal is to make that education practical, relevant, and part of how organizations approach AI adoption while protecting sensitive information and maintaining public trust.\"\nPreparing Employees to Use AI Responsibly\nBSN's certified 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training helps employees us AI securely and effectively, understand its risks and limitations, and make responsible decisions in both professional and personal settings. The training addresses critical considerations including human oversight, privacy, security, transparency, accuracy, and accountability.\nAI tools can help employees research information, summarize documents, draft communications, organize ideas, and improve productivity. At the same time, employees need to understand what information is appropriate to enter into AI tools, how AI-generated information should be verified, what risks arise from the use of unapproved tools, and where human judgment must remain part of the process. The AI course includes a 10-question final assessment and certificate of completion for employees who achieve a passing score.\nTexas state agencies, local governments, and K–12 school districts can use BSN's certified AI course to support annual AI awareness and cybersecurity training requirements for covered employees and officials.\nCybersecurity Training Built Around Everyday Risk\nCybersecurity incidents increasingly begin with human behavior. Phishing, stolen credentials, and social engineering can put organizational systems and sensitive information at risk, making employees an important part of an organization's cybersecurity posture.\nBSN's 2026-27 Texas Cybersecurity Training is designed to help employees recognize these risks and understand the role they play in protecting organizational systems and information. Rather than treating cybersecurity as something that belongs only to IT, the training focuses on the everyday decisions employees make—from determining whether a link or login request is legitimate to deciding whether information should be shared or a request independently verified.\nThe cybersecurity course includes a 10-question assessment. Employees with a score of 80 percent or higher earn a certificate of completion.\nMoving Beyond Minimum Compliance\nEffective training gives employees practical knowledge they can apply throughout the year. It helps employees recognize cybersecurity threats before they become incidents, understand how to approach AI safely and productively, and 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.\nThe certification represents an important milestone in BSN's broader commitment to helping organizations move beyond simply adopting AI and toward using it securely, responsibly, and with confidence. BSN'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.\nBy supporting AI awareness and education, the program also contributes to broader statewide efforts to strengthen workforce readiness and promote informed decision-making as government organizations explore the use of artificial intelligence.\nDIR certification confirms that the AI Awareness Training program meets state-established criteria for AI awareness training content.\nAbout Breach Secure Now\nBreach Secure Now empowers organizations through human-centric training in cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance. BSN's approach focuses on equipping employees with the practical knowledge and skills they need to use technology securely and productively while staying mindful of compliance requirements. Through ongoing education designed around the human side of technology, BSN helps organizations strengthen awareness, reduce risk, and prepare employees for an evolving workplace.\nAbout the Texas Department of Information Resources\nThe mission of the Texas Department of Information Resources is to serve Texas government by leading the state's technology strategy, protecting state technology infrastructure, and offering innovative and cost-effective solutions for all levels of government.\nMedia Contact\nMichael McVeigh, Director of Communications & Campaigns\nBreach Secure Now\nMichaelm@trustsecurenow.com\n617-417-7109\nSOURCE Breach Secure Now\nThe articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.\nMorningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.\nMorningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.","image_url":"https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt4eb669caa7dc65b2/blta7dd42ebdd7b93b8/61899b34a3c7df383578294c/morningstar-og.png","lang":"en","published_at":"2026-09-17T13:30:00+00:00","fetched_at":"2026-09-17T15:15:05+00:00","status":"read","starred":0,"extract_state":"ok","summary_auto":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.","cluster_id":null,"extract_retries":0,"extract_error":null,"contract_version":"news_item.v1","format_contract_version":"news_item_formats.v1","dedup_url":"https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","quality_profile":{"profile_version":"extraction_quality.v2","bucket":"high","confidence":0.9,"failure_kind":"none","retryable":false,"retry_after_attempts":0,"reason":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","operator_guidance":{"severity":"ok","recommended_action":"trust_full_text","next_step":"Use the extracted full text as the primary article source.","operator_label":"Ready","can_retry":false,"can_use_summary":false,"diagnostics_required":false},"content_depth":{"contract_version":"content_depth.v1","category":"full_text","label":"Full text","has_full_text":true,"has_summary":true,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307,"usable_text_length":7733,"source_field":"content"},"legacy_collapsed":false,"signals":{"extract_state":"ok","extract_error":null,"extract_retries":0,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307}},"news_item":{"id":84648,"canonical_url":"https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","source_url":"https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","title":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law - Morningstar","source_name":"Morningstar","author":null,"published_at":"2026-09-17T13:30:00+00:00","locale":"en","topic":"ai","tags":[],"rss_summary":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law Morningstar","full_text":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Breach Secure Now (BSN), the leading provider of human-centric cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance training, today announced that its 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training program has been certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) under Texas law, aligning with statewide AI awareness training requirements.\nTexas 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.\nThe certification comes as cybersecurity and AI are increasingly becoming connected workplace issues for public-sector organizations. Employees are using more digital tools, handling increasingly sensitive information, and encountering new threats, while generative AI is creating new opportunities for productivity alongside questions around data security, accuracy, governance, and responsible use.\nTo address both areas, BSN developed two training courses for the 2026-27 Texas training year: 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training 2026-27 and Texas Cybersecurity Training. Together, the courses give Texas public-sector employees a practical foundation for navigating two of the most important workplace technology issues today.\n\"AI readiness in the public sector is as much a workforce challenge as it is a technology challenge,\" said Art Gross, CEO of BSN. \"Government organizations need employees who understand both the potential of AI and the responsibility that comes with using it, including how to use it securely, responsibly, and with appropriate human oversight. Our goal is to make that education practical, relevant, and part of how organizations approach AI adoption while protecting sensitive information and maintaining public trust.\"\nPreparing Employees to Use AI Responsibly\nBSN's certified 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training helps employees us AI securely and effectively, understand its risks and limitations, and make responsible decisions in both professional and personal settings. The training addresses critical considerations including human oversight, privacy, security, transparency, accuracy, and accountability.\nAI tools can help employees research information, summarize documents, draft communications, organize ideas, and improve productivity. At the same time, employees need to understand what information is appropriate to enter into AI tools, how AI-generated information should be verified, what risks arise from the use of unapproved tools, and where human judgment must remain part of the process. The AI course includes a 10-question final assessment and certificate of completion for employees who achieve a passing score.\nTexas state agencies, local governments, and K–12 school districts can use BSN's certified AI course to support annual AI awareness and cybersecurity training requirements for covered employees and officials.\nCybersecurity Training Built Around Everyday Risk\nCybersecurity incidents increasingly begin with human behavior. Phishing, stolen credentials, and social engineering can put organizational systems and sensitive information at risk, making employees an important part of an organization's cybersecurity posture.\nBSN's 2026-27 Texas Cybersecurity Training is designed to help employees recognize these risks and understand the role they play in protecting organizational systems and information. Rather than treating cybersecurity as something that belongs only to IT, the training focuses on the everyday decisions employees make—from determining whether a link or login request is legitimate to deciding whether information should be shared or a request independently verified.\nThe cybersecurity course includes a 10-question assessment. Employees with a score of 80 percent or higher earn a certificate of completion.\nMoving Beyond Minimum Compliance\nEffective training gives employees practical knowledge they can apply throughout the year. It helps employees recognize cybersecurity threats before they become incidents, understand how to approach AI safely and productively, and 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.\nThe certification represents an important milestone in BSN's broader commitment to helping organizations move beyond simply adopting AI and toward using it securely, responsibly, and with confidence. BSN'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.\nBy supporting AI awareness and education, the program also contributes to broader statewide efforts to strengthen workforce readiness and promote informed decision-making as government organizations explore the use of artificial intelligence.\nDIR certification confirms that the AI Awareness Training program meets state-established criteria for AI awareness training content.\nAbout Breach Secure Now\nBreach Secure Now empowers organizations through human-centric training in cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance. BSN's approach focuses on equipping employees with the practical knowledge and skills they need to use technology securely and productively while staying mindful of compliance requirements. Through ongoing education designed around the human side of technology, BSN helps organizations strengthen awareness, reduce risk, and prepare employees for an evolving workplace.\nAbout the Texas Department of Information Resources\nThe mission of the Texas Department of Information Resources is to serve Texas government by leading the state's technology strategy, protecting state technology infrastructure, and offering innovative and cost-effective solutions for all levels of government.\nMedia Contact\nMichael McVeigh, Director of Communications & Campaigns\nBreach Secure Now\nMichaelm@trustsecurenow.com\n617-417-7109\nSOURCE Breach Secure Now\nThe articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.\nMorningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.\nMorningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.","excerpt":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.","extraction":{"state":"ok","confidence":0.9,"error":null,"explanation":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","diagnostics_url":"/api/diagnose?url=https%3A//www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","quality_profile":{"profile_version":"extraction_quality.v2","bucket":"high","confidence":0.9,"failure_kind":"none","retryable":false,"retry_after_attempts":0,"reason":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","operator_guidance":{"severity":"ok","recommended_action":"trust_full_text","next_step":"Use the extracted full text as the primary article source.","operator_label":"Ready","can_retry":false,"can_use_summary":false,"diagnostics_required":false},"content_depth":{"contract_version":"content_depth.v1","category":"full_text","label":"Full text","has_full_text":true,"has_summary":true,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307,"usable_text_length":7733,"source_field":"content"},"legacy_collapsed":false,"signals":{"extract_state":"ok","extract_error":null,"extract_retries":0,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307}}},"display_formats":["compact","card","full","digest_section","json"]},"daily_stack_record":{"title":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law - Morningstar","url":"https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","summary":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.","source":"Morningstar","date":"2026-09-17T13:30:00+00:00","content":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Breach Secure Now (BSN), the leading provider of human-centric cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance training, today announced that its 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training program has been certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) under Texas law, aligning with statewide AI awareness training requirements.\nTexas 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.\nThe certification comes as cybersecurity and AI are increasingly becoming connected workplace issues for public-sector organizations. Employees are using more digital tools, handling increasingly sensitive information, and encountering new threats, while generative AI is creating new opportunities for productivity alongside questions around data security, accuracy, governance, and responsible use.\nTo address both areas, BSN developed two training courses for the 2026-27 Texas training year: 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training 2026-27 and Texas Cybersecurity Training. Together, the courses give Texas public-sector employees a practical foundation for navigating two of the most important workplace technology issues today.\n\"AI readiness in the public sector is as much a workforce challenge as it is a technology challenge,\" said Art Gross, CEO of BSN. \"Government organizations need employees who understand both the potential of AI and the responsibility that comes with using it, including how to use it securely, responsibly, and with appropriate human oversight. Our goal is to make that education practical, relevant, and part of how organizations approach AI adoption while protecting sensitive information and maintaining public trust.\"\nPreparing Employees to Use AI Responsibly\nBSN's certified 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training helps employees us AI securely and effectively, understand its risks and limitations, and make responsible decisions in both professional and personal settings. The training addresses critical considerations including human oversight, privacy, security, transparency, accuracy, and accountability.\nAI tools can help employees research information, summarize documents, draft communications, organize ideas, and improve productivity. At the same time, employees need to understand what information is appropriate to enter into AI tools, how AI-generated information should be verified, what risks arise from the use of unapproved tools, and where human judgment must remain part of the process. The AI course includes a 10-question final assessment and certificate of completion for employees who achieve a passing score.\nTexas state agencies, local governments, and K–12 school districts can use BSN's certified AI course to support annual AI awareness and cybersecurity training requirements for covered employees and officials.\nCybersecurity Training Built Around Everyday Risk\nCybersecurity incidents increasingly begin with human behavior. Phishing, stolen credentials, and social engineering can put organizational systems and sensitive information at risk, making employees an important part of an organization's cybersecurity posture.\nBSN's 2026-27 Texas Cybersecurity Training is designed to help employees recognize these risks and understand the role they play in protecting organizational systems and information. Rather than treating cybersecurity as something that belongs only to IT, the training focuses on the everyday decisions employees make—from determining whether a link or login request is legitimate to deciding whether information should be shared or a request independently verified.\nThe cybersecurity course includes a 10-question assessment. Employees with a score of 80 percent or higher earn a certificate of completion.\nMoving Beyond Minimum Compliance\nEffective training gives employees practical knowledge they can apply throughout the year. It helps employees recognize cybersecurity threats before they become incidents, understand how to approach AI safely and productively, and 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.\nThe certification represents an important milestone in BSN's broader commitment to helping organizations move beyond simply adopting AI and toward using it securely, responsibly, and with confidence. BSN'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.\nBy supporting AI awareness and education, the program also contributes to broader statewide efforts to strengthen workforce readiness and promote informed decision-making as government organizations explore the use of artificial intelligence.\nDIR certification confirms that the AI Awareness Training program meets state-established criteria for AI awareness training content.\nAbout Breach Secure Now\nBreach Secure Now empowers organizations through human-centric training in cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance. BSN's approach focuses on equipping employees with the practical knowledge and skills they need to use technology securely and productively while staying mindful of compliance requirements. Through ongoing education designed around the human side of technology, BSN helps organizations strengthen awareness, reduce risk, and prepare employees for an evolving workplace.\nAbout the Texas Department of Information Resources\nThe mission of the Texas Department of Information Resources is to serve Texas government by leading the state's technology strategy, protecting state technology infrastructure, and offering innovative and cost-effective solutions for all levels of government.\nMedia Contact\nMichael McVeigh, Director of Communications & Campaigns\nBreach Secure Now\nMichaelm@trustsecurenow.com\n617-417-7109\nSOURCE Breach Secure Now\nThe articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.\nMorningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.\nMorningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.","confidence":0.9,"diagnostics_url":"/api/diagnose?url=https%3A//www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","quality_bucket":"high","failure_kind":"none","retryable":false,"quality_reason":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","quality_profile":{"profile_version":"extraction_quality.v2","bucket":"high","confidence":0.9,"failure_kind":"none","retryable":false,"retry_after_attempts":0,"reason":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","operator_guidance":{"severity":"ok","recommended_action":"trust_full_text","next_step":"Use the extracted full text as the primary article source.","operator_label":"Ready","can_retry":false,"can_use_summary":false,"diagnostics_required":false},"content_depth":{"contract_version":"content_depth.v1","category":"full_text","label":"Full text","has_full_text":true,"has_summary":true,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307,"usable_text_length":7733,"source_field":"content"},"legacy_collapsed":false,"signals":{"extract_state":"ok","extract_error":null,"extract_retries":0,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307}},"tags":[]},"fallback_formats":["markdown","json","html"],"actions":{"read":"/item/84648","export_markdown":"/api/items/84648/export?format=markdown","export_json":"/api/items/84648/export?format=json","diagnose":"/api/diagnose?url=https%3A//www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law"},"formats":{"full":{"id":84648,"title":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law - Morningstar","url":"https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","source":"Morningstar","author":null,"published_at":"2026-09-17T13:30:00+00:00","locale":"en","topic":"ai","tags":[],"excerpt":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.","full_text":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Breach Secure Now (BSN), the leading provider of human-centric cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance training, today announced that its 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training program has been certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) under Texas law, aligning with statewide AI awareness training requirements.\nTexas 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.\nThe certification comes as cybersecurity and AI are increasingly becoming connected workplace issues for public-sector organizations. Employees are using more digital tools, handling increasingly sensitive information, and encountering new threats, while generative AI is creating new opportunities for productivity alongside questions around data security, accuracy, governance, and responsible use.\nTo address both areas, BSN developed two training courses for the 2026-27 Texas training year: 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training 2026-27 and Texas Cybersecurity Training. Together, the courses give Texas public-sector employees a practical foundation for navigating two of the most important workplace technology issues today.\n\"AI readiness in the public sector is as much a workforce challenge as it is a technology challenge,\" said Art Gross, CEO of BSN. \"Government organizations need employees who understand both the potential of AI and the responsibility that comes with using it, including how to use it securely, responsibly, and with appropriate human oversight. Our goal is to make that education practical, relevant, and part of how organizations approach AI adoption while protecting sensitive information and maintaining public trust.\"\nPreparing Employees to Use AI Responsibly\nBSN's certified 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training helps employees us AI securely and effectively, understand its risks and limitations, and make responsible decisions in both professional and personal settings. The training addresses critical considerations including human oversight, privacy, security, transparency, accuracy, and accountability.\nAI tools can help employees research information, summarize documents, draft communications, organize ideas, and improve productivity. At the same time, employees need to understand what information is appropriate to enter into AI tools, how AI-generated information should be verified, what risks arise from the use of unapproved tools, and where human judgment must remain part of the process. The AI course includes a 10-question final assessment and certificate of completion for employees who achieve a passing score.\nTexas state agencies, local governments, and K–12 school districts can use BSN's certified AI course to support annual AI awareness and cybersecurity training requirements for covered employees and officials.\nCybersecurity Training Built Around Everyday Risk\nCybersecurity incidents increasingly begin with human behavior. Phishing, stolen credentials, and social engineering can put organizational systems and sensitive information at risk, making employees an important part of an organization's cybersecurity posture.\nBSN's 2026-27 Texas Cybersecurity Training is designed to help employees recognize these risks and understand the role they play in protecting organizational systems and information. Rather than treating cybersecurity as something that belongs only to IT, the training focuses on the everyday decisions employees make—from determining whether a link or login request is legitimate to deciding whether information should be shared or a request independently verified.\nThe cybersecurity course includes a 10-question assessment. Employees with a score of 80 percent or higher earn a certificate of completion.\nMoving Beyond Minimum Compliance\nEffective training gives employees practical knowledge they can apply throughout the year. It helps employees recognize cybersecurity threats before they become incidents, understand how to approach AI safely and productively, and 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.\nThe certification represents an important milestone in BSN's broader commitment to helping organizations move beyond simply adopting AI and toward using it securely, responsibly, and with confidence. BSN'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.\nBy supporting AI awareness and education, the program also contributes to broader statewide efforts to strengthen workforce readiness and promote informed decision-making as government organizations explore the use of artificial intelligence.\nDIR certification confirms that the AI Awareness Training program meets state-established criteria for AI awareness training content.\nAbout Breach Secure Now\nBreach Secure Now empowers organizations through human-centric training in cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance. BSN's approach focuses on equipping employees with the practical knowledge and skills they need to use technology securely and productively while staying mindful of compliance requirements. Through ongoing education designed around the human side of technology, BSN helps organizations strengthen awareness, reduce risk, and prepare employees for an evolving workplace.\nAbout the Texas Department of Information Resources\nThe mission of the Texas Department of Information Resources is to serve Texas government by leading the state's technology strategy, protecting state technology infrastructure, and offering innovative and cost-effective solutions for all levels of government.\nMedia Contact\nMichael McVeigh, Director of Communications & Campaigns\nBreach Secure Now\nMichaelm@trustsecurenow.com\n617-417-7109\nSOURCE Breach Secure Now\nThe articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.\nMorningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.\nMorningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.","reading_time_min":5,"extraction":{"state":"ok","confidence":0.9,"error":null,"explanation":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","diagnostics_url":"/api/diagnose?url=https%3A//www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","quality_profile":{"profile_version":"extraction_quality.v2","bucket":"high","confidence":0.9,"failure_kind":"none","retryable":false,"retry_after_attempts":0,"reason":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","operator_guidance":{"severity":"ok","recommended_action":"trust_full_text","next_step":"Use the extracted full text as the primary article source.","operator_label":"Ready","can_retry":false,"can_use_summary":false,"diagnostics_required":false},"content_depth":{"contract_version":"content_depth.v1","category":"full_text","label":"Full text","has_full_text":true,"has_summary":true,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307,"usable_text_length":7733,"source_field":"content"},"legacy_collapsed":false,"signals":{"extract_state":"ok","extract_error":null,"extract_retries":0,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307}}},"quality_profile":{"profile_version":"extraction_quality.v2","bucket":"high","confidence":0.9,"failure_kind":"none","retryable":false,"retry_after_attempts":0,"reason":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","operator_guidance":{"severity":"ok","recommended_action":"trust_full_text","next_step":"Use the extracted full text as the primary article source.","operator_label":"Ready","can_retry":false,"can_use_summary":false,"diagnostics_required":false},"content_depth":{"contract_version":"content_depth.v1","category":"full_text","label":"Full text","has_full_text":true,"has_summary":true,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307,"usable_text_length":7733,"source_field":"content"},"legacy_collapsed":false,"signals":{"extract_state":"ok","extract_error":null,"extract_retries":0,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307}},"actions":{"read":"/item/84648","export_markdown":"/api/items/84648/export?format=markdown","export_json":"/api/items/84648/export?format=json","diagnose":"/api/diagnose?url=https%3A//www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law"}},"digest":{"id":84648,"title":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law - Morningstar","url":"https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","source":"Morningstar","topic":"ai","published_at":"2026-09-17T13:30:00+00:00","excerpt":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law PR Newswire MORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026 BSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for…","quality_bucket":"high","quality_reason":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","reading_time_min":5,"cluster_id":null},"card":{"display_title":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law - Morningstar","subtitle":"Morningstar · 2026-09-17","summary":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law PR Newswire MORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026 BSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help…","badges":["quality:high"],"links":{"read":"/item/84648","original":"https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","diagnose":"/api/diagnose?url=https%3A//www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law"},"quality_warning":null},"export":{"title":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law - Morningstar","url":"https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","summary":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.","source":"Morningstar","date":"2026-09-17T13:30:00+00:00","content":"Breach Secure Now Announces DIR-Certified AI Awareness and Cybersecurity Training Aligned with Texas Law\nPR Newswire\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026\nBSN brings AI awareness and cybersecurity training together to help Texas public-sector organizations prepare employees for today's evolving workplace risks.\nMORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Breach Secure Now (BSN), the leading provider of human-centric cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance training, today announced that its 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training program has been certified by the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) under Texas law, aligning with statewide AI awareness training requirements.\nTexas 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.\nThe certification comes as cybersecurity and AI are increasingly becoming connected workplace issues for public-sector organizations. Employees are using more digital tools, handling increasingly sensitive information, and encountering new threats, while generative AI is creating new opportunities for productivity alongside questions around data security, accuracy, governance, and responsible use.\nTo address both areas, BSN developed two training courses for the 2026-27 Texas training year: 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training 2026-27 and Texas Cybersecurity Training. Together, the courses give Texas public-sector employees a practical foundation for navigating two of the most important workplace technology issues today.\n\"AI readiness in the public sector is as much a workforce challenge as it is a technology challenge,\" said Art Gross, CEO of BSN. \"Government organizations need employees who understand both the potential of AI and the responsibility that comes with using it, including how to use it securely, responsibly, and with appropriate human oversight. Our goal is to make that education practical, relevant, and part of how organizations approach AI adoption while protecting sensitive information and maintaining public trust.\"\nPreparing Employees to Use AI Responsibly\nBSN's certified 2026-27 Texas Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training helps employees us AI securely and effectively, understand its risks and limitations, and make responsible decisions in both professional and personal settings. The training addresses critical considerations including human oversight, privacy, security, transparency, accuracy, and accountability.\nAI tools can help employees research information, summarize documents, draft communications, organize ideas, and improve productivity. At the same time, employees need to understand what information is appropriate to enter into AI tools, how AI-generated information should be verified, what risks arise from the use of unapproved tools, and where human judgment must remain part of the process. The AI course includes a 10-question final assessment and certificate of completion for employees who achieve a passing score.\nTexas state agencies, local governments, and K–12 school districts can use BSN's certified AI course to support annual AI awareness and cybersecurity training requirements for covered employees and officials.\nCybersecurity Training Built Around Everyday Risk\nCybersecurity incidents increasingly begin with human behavior. Phishing, stolen credentials, and social engineering can put organizational systems and sensitive information at risk, making employees an important part of an organization's cybersecurity posture.\nBSN's 2026-27 Texas Cybersecurity Training is designed to help employees recognize these risks and understand the role they play in protecting organizational systems and information. Rather than treating cybersecurity as something that belongs only to IT, the training focuses on the everyday decisions employees make—from determining whether a link or login request is legitimate to deciding whether information should be shared or a request independently verified.\nThe cybersecurity course includes a 10-question assessment. Employees with a score of 80 percent or higher earn a certificate of completion.\nMoving Beyond Minimum Compliance\nEffective training gives employees practical knowledge they can apply throughout the year. It helps employees recognize cybersecurity threats before they become incidents, understand how to approach AI safely and productively, and 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.\nThe certification represents an important milestone in BSN's broader commitment to helping organizations move beyond simply adopting AI and toward using it securely, responsibly, and with confidence. BSN'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.\nBy supporting AI awareness and education, the program also contributes to broader statewide efforts to strengthen workforce readiness and promote informed decision-making as government organizations explore the use of artificial intelligence.\nDIR certification confirms that the AI Awareness Training program meets state-established criteria for AI awareness training content.\nAbout Breach Secure Now\nBreach Secure Now empowers organizations through human-centric training in cybersecurity, AI awareness, productivity, and compliance. BSN's approach focuses on equipping employees with the practical knowledge and skills they need to use technology securely and productively while staying mindful of compliance requirements. Through ongoing education designed around the human side of technology, BSN helps organizations strengthen awareness, reduce risk, and prepare employees for an evolving workplace.\nAbout the Texas Department of Information Resources\nThe mission of the Texas Department of Information Resources is to serve Texas government by leading the state's technology strategy, protecting state technology infrastructure, and offering innovative and cost-effective solutions for all levels of government.\nMedia Contact\nMichael McVeigh, Director of Communications & Campaigns\nBreach Secure Now\nMichaelm@trustsecurenow.com\n617-417-7109\nSOURCE Breach Secure Now\nThe articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.\nMorningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.\nMorningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.","confidence":0.9,"diagnostics_url":"/api/diagnose?url=https%3A//www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260917ny50347/breach-secure-now-announces-dir-certified-ai-awareness-and-cybersecurity-training-aligned-with-texas-law","quality_bucket":"high","failure_kind":"none","retryable":false,"quality_reason":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","quality_profile":{"profile_version":"extraction_quality.v2","bucket":"high","confidence":0.9,"failure_kind":"none","retryable":false,"retry_after_attempts":0,"reason":"High confidence: full text extraction produced 7733 characters.","operator_guidance":{"severity":"ok","recommended_action":"trust_full_text","next_step":"Use the extracted full text as the primary article source.","operator_label":"Ready","can_retry":false,"can_use_summary":false,"diagnostics_required":false},"content_depth":{"contract_version":"content_depth.v1","category":"full_text","label":"Full text","has_full_text":true,"has_summary":true,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307,"usable_text_length":7733,"source_field":"content"},"legacy_collapsed":false,"signals":{"extract_state":"ok","extract_error":null,"extract_retries":0,"content_length":7733,"summary_length":307}},"tags":[],"format_contract_version":"news_item_formats.v1"}}}