Cyber Archives

County IT Leaders Gather for MACo’s Second Annual IT Conference

County IT professionals met at Turf Valley Resort in Howard County on October 22 for MACo's second annual IT Conference. The conference brought together county and state technology leaders, national experts, and industry representatives to discuss the challenges and opportunities local governments face. The day opened with Scott Winslow, Principal Research Director at Info-Tech, who discussed how IT departments can prepare for incoming county leaders. As new elected officials bring their own priorities and questions,…

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October 23, 2026

County News / Cyber / Economic Development / Government Liability and Courts / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / Public Safety and Corrections / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues

Prediction Markets, AI Agents, and Who Sets the Rules

From betting on election outcomes to AI agents acting on their own, emerging technologies are raising new questions about regulation, accountability, and the role of government. On this week's Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson welcome back Ben Yelin of the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security and the University of Maryland Carey School of Law for a "tech talk" about the rapidly changing technology landscape. Tune in to the…

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October 16, 2026

Cyber / Economic Development / Labor

Federal Grant To Expand Rural Maryland Workforce Training

A $2.38 million federal grant will help nine Maryland colleges and universities strengthen workforce training and connect rural students with internships and employment opportunities in high-demand fields. As covered in a Baltimore Sun article, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) announced the Maryland Rural Pathways to Prosperity Network, which aims to serve 1,000 students through career advising and job training. The program will focus on in-demand careers such as aerospace, cybersecurity, education, health care, high-tech…

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October 15, 2026

County News / Cyber / Elections / Energy / Environment / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Conduit Street Podcast: News or Noise? What Matters Now, What Comes Next

The Conduit Street Podcast monthly roundup of “News or Noise?” is back, as we dig into the headlines from recent weeks, looking for the real takeaways. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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October 2, 2026

Cyber / Information Technology

Local Cybersecurity Grants; Applications Due September 22

Maryland is making more than $4.9 million available to strengthen cybersecurity across state and local governments through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). As previously covered by MACo, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Department of Information Technology, and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) Planning Committee are releasing another round of funding through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. Applications for funding will be accepted through September 22, 2026.…

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September 17, 2026

Cyber / Information Technology

Cybersecurity Funding Available to MD Local Governments

Cybersecurity threats continue to target local governments and public infrastructure across Maryland, but new state and federal resources are available to help communities strengthen their defenses. The Maryland Department of Emergency Management, Department of Information Technology, and the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) Planning Committee are releasing another round of funding through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, with applications opening in August 2026. For federal FY 2024, Maryland was awarded $4.9…

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September 10, 2026

County News / Cyber / Education / Information Technology / News You Can Use

News or Noise: Blueprint Pressure, AI Surveillance, and College Sports

Summer Conference is in the rearview mirror, but many of the conversations shaping Maryland policy are just getting started. In the latest round of News or Noise, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson are joined by Sarah Sample for a look at the headlines, policy debates, and emerging issues that could follow county leaders from #MACoCon into the 2027 legislative session. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe…

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August 27, 2026

Broadband / Cyber / Information Technology / NACo Achievement Awards

Howard County Takes Top Honors for Technology That Makes Government Work Better

Howard County earned national recognition for a broad portfolio of technology and administrative initiatives designed to make government more transparent, secure, efficient, and easier to navigate. Leading the County’s 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards was HoCo Dash 2.0, which earned Best in Category in Information Technology. The platform transforms large projects, initiatives, and performance measures into concise, visually engaging stories designed to help residents better understand what County government is doing and…

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August 26, 2026

Cyber / Information Technology / NACo Achievement Awards

Calvert County’s Digital Transformation Earns Three National Awards

Calvert County earned three 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards for technology initiatives aimed at modernizing county government, strengthening employees’ digital skills, and making services more accessible to residents. Building a Responsible Approach to AI As artificial intelligence becomes more common in the workplace, Calvert County took a structured approach to introducing the technology across county government. The County’s AI Change Champion Network was created to guide the responsible adoption of ChatGPT Enterprise.…

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August 26, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Cyber / Elections / Energy / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Human Resources / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference

Summer MACoCon Is Over but the Conversations Continue

The 2026 Summer MACoCon might be over, but many of the conversations that filled the convention center's halls are ongoing. In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Shantelle Malcolm-Lym is joined by Karrington Anderson and Dominic Butchko to look back at what stood out at MACoCon and, more importantly, what comes next. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in…

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August 21, 2026