The agreement, signed Monday at the Texas Tech University campus during a formal ceremony, included FBI Operations Director of the Criminal and Cyber Branch B. Chad Yarbrough, as well as other elected officials such as Congressman Jodey Arrington and school officials.
"The CRADA marks a significant milestone in the shared commitment of the FBI and the TTU System to advance innovation, enhance national security and foster meaningful collaboration between federal agencies and leading higher education institutions," said the press release announcing the collaboration between the school and the federal agency.
According to the CRADA agreement, the FBI plans to utilize university-led research and development through Texas Tech's Critical Infrastructure Security Institute (CISI), which addresses weaknesses in the nation's systems, such as the electric grid, water utilities, communication systems, military assets and other infrastructure that officials say are vital to the economy.
In addition, the agreement allows the FBI to use Angelo State University's commitment to national security education via partnerships with Goodfellow Air Force Base, several National Security Agency-certified cybersecurity programs and its Regional Security Operations Center.
"Through this CRADA, the FBI and TTU System institutions will collaborate on advanced research, expand training opportunities and enhance the resilience of infrastructure sectors such as energy, water, telecommunications, health care and defense," said Texas Tech and FBI officials.
"The FBI 's mission of protecting the American people includes safeguarding vital assets like U.S. critical infrastructure from all adversaries, both foreign and domestic," Yarbrough said. "Working with academic partners like the Texas Tech University System is just one of the many ways the FBI seeks to mitigate these threats and advance cybersecurity and the security of critical infrastructure."
Arrington echoed the sentiment that cyber attacks on critical infrastructure present a significant risk to the Texas economy, public safety, and national security.
"Unlike many universities today, Texas Tech's laboratory isn't in the Ivory Tower; it's in the marketplace where we work, the communities where we live, and with our government partners, working to address our national priorities," he said.
© 2025 the Midland Reporter-Telegram (Midland, Texas). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
