June 18th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

.Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at strengthening the state's cybersecurity infrastructure.

The order creates a position for a state chief information security officer, the Office of Security Management and the Maryland Cybersecurity Coordinating Council. The three will lead the Maryland Cyber Defense Initiative, which Hogan hopes will bolster the state's cybersecurity defenses and deal with the fallout of a cybersecurity incident.

“Security of Marylanders is at the forefront of our administration’s efforts on a day-to-day basis. In today’s world of emerging cyber threats, it is crucial that we work in unity to improve the processes and procedures designed to protect Marylanders and to manage and minimize the consequences of cyber events,” Hogan said in a statement. “The steps we are taking today are about ensuring that Maryland’s infrastructure and citizens are as safe as possible from cyber attacks.”

The chief information security officer will lead the Office of Security Management, which will be within the Department of Information Technology. The office will direct and implement cybersecurity strategy and policy for all executive agencies. The office will also update and distribute the Maryland Cybersecurity Manual, unifying practices across state government