Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed an executive order aimed at strengthening cybersecurity, according to a news report. 

Hogan signed an executive order, creating a new position called the Maryland Chief Information Security Officer, forming the Office of Security Management and the Maryland Cybersecurity Coordinating Council. The three will work to improve Maryland's cybersecurity to improve the state's ability to address cybersecurity threats and risks.          

The council will help create recommendations for the state to identify and respond to cybersecurity risks and recover from them. It will include state officials from agencies and departments throughout the state.    

“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. The steps we are taking today are about ensuring that Maryland’s infrastructure and citizens are as safe as possible from cyber attacks," Hogan said. 

“It is essential that the state’s overall cybersecurity strategy and policy are in alignment with best practices and the latest federal standards and guidelines, such as the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines,” said John Evans, Maryland’s Chief Information Security Officer.