County leaders, IT professionals, and technology partners from across Maryland convened on November 20 for the inaugural MACo IT Affiliate Conference. Hosted at the Great Wolf Lodge in Cecil County, the conference delivered a full day of insights on cybersecurity, broadband, artificial intelligence, modernization, and intergovernmental collaboration.
Cecil County Executive Adam Streight opened the program by underscoring the critical role of county IT teams in safeguarding residents, supporting local government operations, and adapting to emerging threats and tools reshaping public-sector technology.
The day began with a deep dive into ransomware preparedness, a significant threat to local governments. Ted Pibil (ePlus Technology) and Netta Squires (Open District Solutions) outlined practical approaches to improving resilience, including immutable backups, rapid cloud recovery, managed Security Operations Center (SOC) services, and the rising importance of AI-driven security tools to cut down alert fatigue and strengthen identity protection. Real-world case studies highlighted how counties can advance readiness without overburdening limited IT staff.
Seamus Dowdall and John Matelski from the National Association of Counties (NACo) provided a national perspective on the top federal tech priorities impacting counties. They identified three major shifts at the national level impacting local governments: federal cost shifting without corresponding authority, declining federal aid, and an increased demand for services. These challenges increase the load on already resource-strapped counties. The session underscored NACo’s robust federal advocacy and the importance of aligning local action with national trends.
The Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) led a comprehensive session on the state’s new IT Master Plan, a roadmap for modernizing government services across Maryland. Secretary Katie Savage, Acting State CISO James Saunders, and State Chief Data Officer Natalie Evans Harris highlighted modernization priorities, including:
- upgrading legacy systems,
- strengthening statewide cybersecurity standards,
- centralizing IT services,
- expanding broadband,
- and improving data governance and access.
Speakers emphasized a strong state-county partnership, ensuring that local governments remain central to the rollout of secure and efficient digital services for residents.
Attendees also heard from the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) as Heather Hiester shared updates on Pennsylvania’s county technology initiatives. Highlights included collaborative workgroup models, the CORE Membership program, and shared cybersecurity resources, offering a compelling look at how counties can scale efforts and learn from regional peer networks.
The final session featured John Bayliss of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) and Tim Shriver, Director of Integrated Public Safety and Justice at Peregrine, who discussed how AI is rapidly shifting from exploratory conversations to practical applications in local government. MWCOG shared early findings on risks and best practices, along with guidance for counties considering how to responsibly deploy AI tools to improve service delivery, data analysis, and resident engagement.
The MACo IT Affiliate Conference reflects growing statewide recognition that technology is core to every aspect of county governance, from public safety and service delivery to cybersecurity and resident trust. The event brought together state partners, national experts, regional collaborators, and county IT leaders for a day of knowledge sharing and collective problem solving.
MACo extends its thanks to the conference sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and attendees who helped make the first annual event a meaningful success.
