Mikulski Kicks off CyberMaryland 2012 Conference

“Maryland is the global epicenter of cyber security. And we are national leaders in developing the cyber workforce of today to fill cyber jobs that are available now,” Senator Says

October 16, 2012

BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of the Intelligence Committee, today kicked off the CyberMaryland 2012 conference, bringing together Maryland and national cyber leaders in business, government and academia. Senator Mikulski was joined at the conference by Governor Martin O'Malley, Cyber Coordinator and Special Assistant to the President Michael Daniel and former director of the National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency Lt. General Kenneth Minihan (USAF-Ret.). Following her remarks, Senator Mikulski met with exhibitors showcasing Maryland cybersecurity products, services and programs.  

"Maryland is the global epicenter of cyber security. And we are national leaders in developing the cyber workforce of today to fill cyber jobs that are available now," Senator Mikulski said. "Because of Maryland's incredible federal assets, dynamic private sector and academic institutions, America's cyber defense starts in Maryland. The United States is in the middle of a cyber war. I will continue to be laser-focused on protecting America from cyber terrorists, spies and thieves, making us safer and our economy stronger."  

As both the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science and a member of the Select Committee on Intelligence, where she served on the Cyber Security Task Force, Senator Mikulski has been working to make our country safer and our economy stronger.  

She has helped to establish and stand-up the US Cyber Command, the US Navy's 10th Fleet Cyber Command, and the Defense Information Systems Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland. She has worked to secure the location of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Agency (IARPA) at Research Park, on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park.  

Additionally, she has delivered increased cyber security funding for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland, enabling NIST to create a National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence and to work with the private sector to develop interoperable cyber standards.  

By increasing funding for NSF scholarships, she is strengthening the pipeline of government cyber experts and encouraging students today to train for the jobs of tomorrow.  

The CyberMaryland conference featured nationally-renowned cybersecurity experts along with 32 sessions on cybersecurity threats, trends and new products. October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month.