At the MACo Summer Conference, cybersecurity leaders discussed how counties can protect the connected systems that support water service, emergency communications, public safety, transportation, and other essential operations.
Cyber threats increasingly put the systems counties rely on every day at risk, from emergency communications and public safety networks to water systems, financial operations, and public works.
At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Protecting County Infrastructure in the Digital Age brought together State, county, and private-sector experts to discuss those risks and how counties can prepare. The conversation covered emerging threats, protecting connected infrastructure, working with vendors, planning for incidents, and keeping essential services running when systems fail or come under attack.
Starting now at #MACoCon: Protecting #County Infrastructure in the Digital Age. #Counties rely on connected systems to run water, emergency communications, public safety, transportation, and other essential services. Protecting them takes more than an IT fix.#Cybersecurity pic.twitter.com/D7oirxhjLG
— Kevin Kinnally (@KKinnally_MACo) August 12, 2026
Panel speakers included:
- Steven Burke, Senior Director of Local and State Cybersecurity, Maryland Department of Information Technology
- Gene Ikner, IT Deputy Director and Chief Information Security Officer, Cecil County
- Ted Pibil, Senior Government Advisor, ePlus Technology
Burke discussed emerging cyber threats, State-local coordination, and the resources counties can use to prepare for and respond to incidents. He emphasized information sharing and the need to strengthen defenses before an attack disrupts essential services.
Ikner brought the county perspective, discussing the day-to-day work of protecting operational technology, training staff, planning for incidents, and coordinating cybersecurity across departments. Counties must protect increasingly connected systems while keeping the services residents depend on running.
Pibil focused on technology, vendors, and the risks that come with increasingly connected public infrastructure. He discussed identifying vulnerabilities, setting expectations for vendors, building resilience into new systems, and planning for continuity when something fails or comes under attack.
Cybersecurity now reaches far beyond the IT department. Protecting county infrastructure requires coordination among county leaders, technology staff, department heads, emergency managers, vendors, and employees across the organization.
The session took place August 12 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland.
More about MACo’s Summer Conference: