Read more about the article Public-Private Partnership Forged at Bowie State to Expand Tech Career Pathways in MD
Education / Higher Education / Information Technology
Public-Private Partnership Forged at Bowie State to Expand Tech Career Pathways in MD

The Maryland Higher Education Commission and Maryland Department of Labor have joined forces with Bowie State University and CodePath to expand opportunities to careers in technology.  The Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Maryland Department of Labor are proud to announce a new partnership between CodePath and Bowie State University (BSU) to expand tech career opportunities and Maryland’s cyber workforce. CodePath is a national nonprofit that integrates career-ready computer science courses into college degree programs.…

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November 13, 2025
Read more about the article AI in Government: From Promise to Practice
Information Technology / Winter Conference
AI in Government: From Promise to Practice

At this year’s MACo Winter Conference, county leaders will examine what responsible adoption looks like when AI moves from promise to practice. County departments already test AI tools to streamline service delivery. Some now pilot chat-based resident support, automate permit intake, and expand data-driven reviews for fraud detection. Others deploy machine learning to enhance cybersecurity monitoring as threat patterns become increasingly complex. While these efforts create opportunities for faster service, stronger analysis, and more efficient…

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November 10, 2025
Read more about the article NACo Public Promise Procurement Awards National Contract To Iron Mountain
Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
NACo Public Promise Procurement Awards National Contract To Iron Mountain

The National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Public Promise Procurement announced that Iron Mountain has been awarded a competitively solicited cooperative contract, providing public agencies nationwide with secure, cost-effective, modern solutions for document retention and destruction, media preservation, digitization, and data management. “This contract represents the very best of cooperative purchasing, delivering trusted, competitively solicited solutions that help counties and public agencies modernize operations, safeguard data and reduce costs,” said NACo Public Promise Procurement Managing Director…

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November 6, 2025
Read more about the article Cuts to a Federal Cyber Division Could Leave Counties Vulnerable
Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Cuts to a Federal Cyber Division Could Leave Counties Vulnerable

The federal government has scaled back a key cyber stakeholder division, leaving states and counties at risk of communication and support gaps. According to an article from Smart Cities Dive, the federal government has essentially dismantled a key division within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) that connects federal cybersecurity operations with state and local governments, private industry, and critical infrastructure sectors. Nearly 100 employees have been laid off from CISA’s Stakeholder Engagement Division,…

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October 30, 2025
Read more about the article Maryland Launches Cybersecurity Disclosure Program Covering State and Local Systems
County News / Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / Risk Management
Maryland Launches Cybersecurity Disclosure Program Covering State and Local Systems

The State of Maryland has implemented a new cybersecurity program that gives security researchers and the general public a legal pathway to report cybersecurity vulnerabilities in web-facing State of Maryland IT systems and websites. Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDPs) are widely used by the federal government and private sector to identify vulnerabilities before threat actors use them to breach IT systems and websites. While some state governments have limited VDPs, the State of Maryland’s is one…

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October 30, 2025
Read more about the article Free EPA Webinars on Strengthening Cybersecurity in Water Systems
Cyber / Environment / Information Technology / News You Can Use
Free EPA Webinars on Strengthening Cybersecurity in Water Systems

The EPA will be hosting a series of free cybersecurity technical assistance courses for water systems, starting on November 5, 2025 - Here are the details... Cybersecurity 102: Register now to learn how Cybersecurity can impact Operational Technology systems. This webinar is for everyone, not just information technology personnel, as it will explore the skills needed to navigate today's digital threats. Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST | Register here Cybersecurity…

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October 30, 2025
Read more about the article Workgroup Endorses State-Funded, Statewide 3-1-1 System to Support County Services
County News / Emergency Management / Information Technology / News You Can Use
Workgroup Endorses State-Funded, Statewide 3-1-1 System to Support County Services

Maryland’s 3-1-1 Workgroup has approved a plan to launch a State-funded, AI-enabled nonemergency service system — a first-of-its-kind model designed to ease pressure on 9-1-1 centers, modernize customer service, and connect residents to help faster. Maryland’s 3-1-1 Workgroup has unanimously endorsed recommendations to establish the nation’s first statewide, AI-supported 3-1-1 platform — a significant step toward improving customer service, streamlining resident requests, and reducing the growing nonemergency workload on 9-1-1 centers. The Workgroup to Study…

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October 16, 2025
Read more about the article Maryland Lawmakers Eye Potential AI Legislation in 2026
County News / Cyber / Information Technology
Maryland Lawmakers Eye Potential AI Legislation in 2026

Artificial intelligence is changing how Maryland works and learns. State lawmakers are preparing new measures to guide its use responsibly and strategically in the next legislative session. In a recent article from The Baltimore Sun, Maryland lawmakers are preparing to consider a slate of AI-related proposals aimed at both safeguarding the public and encouraging innovation when the General Assembly returns in January. As previously covered by MACo, local governments are increasingly adopting AI for a variety…

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October 15, 2025
Read more about the article Technology Is Complicating Public Information Laws…And It’s Getting Worse
Cyber / Information Technology / Policy Deep Dive / Public Information and Ethics
Technology Is Complicating Public Information Laws…And It’s Getting Worse

Technology advancements continue to threaten to blow the wheels off the public information access process in Maryland and beyond. State and local officials are sounding the alarm but oversight committee stops short of meaningful recommendations to tackle the issues.  Maryland’s Public Information Act (PIA) is a cornerstone of open government, designed to ensure transparency and accountability at every level of public service. For county governments in particular, the PIA can present a complex balancing act…

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October 15, 2025
Read more about the article MACo’s Information Technology Conference To Focus on Cyber, AI, Modernization, and Federal Policy Updates
Information Technology / MACo Events
MACo’s Information Technology Conference To Focus on Cyber, AI, Modernization, and Federal Policy Updates

In addition to MACo's Summer and Winter Conferences, the Association holds several annual events focusing on specific topics within county service areas. The County Information Technology Conference is scheduled for November 20 and will feature deep-dive content revolving around county tech challenges and priorities. All county elected officials and professionals are invited to register for the first annual conference hosted by MACo's IT Affiliate, focusing on issues and challenges unique to county government tech needs…

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October 14, 2025
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