Texas Cyber Command Hires Unified Taskforce Mission Director

Carlos Plata Jr. has joined Texas Cyber Command (TXCC) as unified cyber taskforce mission director, bringing more than 25 years of cybersecurity, data protection and military experience to the newly established state organization.

Plata joins TXCC after nearly eight years at USAA, where he was most recently director of enterprise data management. In that role, he led a 229-person workforce and oversaw the company’s Data Management and Business Intelligence Factory, including data quality, governance, sensitive data management, analytics and AI initiatives.

Earlier at USAA, Plata led the company’s Payment Card Industry compliance program and sensitive data management program. His work included establishing governance and compliance processes, protecting sensitive data and addressing regulatory and audit requirements.

Before joining USAA, Plata served more than 23 years in the U.S. Army, including several years in cyber operations leadership roles. His military career included helping establish the Army’s first two national-level Cyber Protection Teams and directing defensive cyberspace operations supporting U.S. Cyber Command, the Cyber National Mission Force and other federal organizations.

Plata also served as a cyberspace operations planner at U.S. Army Cyber Command and as information system management director for U.S. Army South. His military experience included cyber incident response, vulnerability assessments, threat and risk assessments, intelligence and information systems operations.

He holds a Master of Science in computer information systems from St. Mary’s University and a bachelor’s degree in finance and financial management services from Park University. Plata is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional.