UMGC-supported council connects policy, resilience, and talent
Over the past decade, the Maryland Cybersecurity Council's recommendations have helped strengthen cybersecurity across Maryland. The council convenes leaders from government, industry, academia, and the military to address emerging threats and improve the state's cyber resilience.
The council's focus on practical outcomes was echoed during its latest plenary meeting, on October 15, 2026. Maryland Secretary of Commerce Harry Coker Jr. emphasized that cybersecurity is increasingly tied to both public safety and economic growth.
"Cybersecurity is national security; it is economic security, and increasingly a prerequisite for economic competitiveness," Coker said.
Turning recommendations into policy
Established by statute in 2015, the council develops recommendations for policymakers. By law, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) serves as the council's staffing entity, facilitating collaboration among experts whose work has informed state policymaking.
"The purpose of the council is to make supported public policy recommendations for the state to consider in the areas of cybersecurity and emerging technology," said UMGC's Greg von Lehmen, special assistant for cybersecurity, who has staffed the council since 2016. "Success consists of having those recommendations adopted by the state in some form for the public good," he noted.
According to von Lehmen, council reports have informed major Maryland legislation affecting the cybersecurity of executive branch agencies, electric utilities, and public water systems, among others. The council's effectiveness, he said, depends heavily on collaboration among its diverse membership.
Cybersecurity's growing role in Maryland
Maryland is home to several major cybersecurity institutions, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command, and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. But Coker cautioned that proximity to expertise does not automatically translate into security outcomes for residents, businesses, and government agencies.
"I often describe Maryland as asset rich," he said. "We should not confuse presence with the protection those capabilities provide to Marylanders."
Throughout the meeting, council members discussed cybersecurity resilience, artificial intelligence (AI), critical infrastructure protection, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that organizations across Maryland face growing threats from increasingly sophisticated adversaries, and that collaboration, including responsibility sharing, is essential to closing capability gaps.
Harry Coker Jr. Maryland Secretary of Commerce
Preparing Maryland's cyber workforce
Coker also pointed to the importance of education and workforce preparation, noting that individuals and organizations large and small alike need the knowledge and tools required to navigate evolving cyber risks.
"We must have the education and usable tools that are necessary to fulfill responsibilities," he said.
The issues discussed by the council overlap with the challenges facing Maryland's cybersecurity workforce, including the rapid emergence of AI. Through its support of the council, UMGC occupies a unique position at the intersection of cybersecurity education and public policy.
Discussions about AI governance, cyber resilience, and the protection of critical infrastructure reflect challenges increasingly confronting cybersecurity professionals. For students preparing for careers in cybersecurity, information technology, and related fields, the council's work offers insight into the policy and operational challenges shaping these professions.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Learn more about cybersecurity in action at UMGC, and register for events and webinars throughout the month at www.umgc.edu/cyberaware.