ANNAPOLIS, MD - Building on the intelligence work to be done at the recently dedicated Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) at the University of Maryland, College Park, Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the launch of the Maryland Security Technology Initiative (Maryland STI), a unique public/private partnership that will capitalize on Maryland’s strategic location near many of the nation’s top federal agencies and help position the State as a global epicenter for the rapidly expanding cyber security technology industry. 

“This is an ideal time for Maryland to tap into the tremendous opportunities in the cyber security industry. As the U.S. government ramps up to spend billions over the next several years to protect government systems and networks from increasing cyber threats, we expect many of those dollars to flow into Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley, who co-chairs the National Governor’s Association Homeland Security Committee. “This first-of-its-kind initiative will bring together our best and brightest to help guide us in this effort to put Maryland at the forefront of this rapidly expanding industry.”

“The University of Maryland looks forward to working with the State, other universities in Maryland and the private sector to help leverage the enormous potential for new scientific growth in the country and technology development in our region from this initiative,” said University of Maryland President C.D Mote Jr.

Located in Baltimore, the Maryland STI will bring together experts from government, academia, non-profits and private industry from around the State to develop and implement a plan to position Maryland as not only just the federal government cyber security hub, but also as a global cyber security center for  both government and private industry. In the next 90 days, the recently-formed Maryland STI Program Steering Committee will deliver to Governor O’Malley a detailed plan and timeline for review and approval.

“This initiative will be launching programs this year that will make a compelling argument to innovative security related technology companies and researchers from around the world that Maryland is the only logical place to launch and grow their businesses,” said Steering Committee Chairman Allen Shay.

As the home for many of the nation’s top federal agencies focused on protecting our national security, Maryland is well-positioned to capitalize on the expanding cyber security technology industry. In addition to the recent IARPA dedication, the State will also soon be home to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) headquarters in Anne Arundel County, joining such national defense-focused agencies like the National Security Agency and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. Maryland also stands to benefit from the recent announcement that the federal government plans to spend between $15 billion and $30 billion to beef up the nation’s cyber security efforts, with much of that spending expected to be done at many of the federal agencies located in Maryland.