Annapolis, Maryland–The Maryland General Assembly passed HB 665, authored by Delegate Susan Lee to create a Commission on Cyber Security Innovation and Excellence. Governor O’Malley is expected to sign the bill into law soon.

HB 665 was cross-filed with SB 557, introduced by Senator Catherine Pugh, and both bills passed their respective chambers.

Remarked Lee: “While global digital and electronic information systems have enabled Maryland to more efficiently and effectively serve its citizens, cyber attacks have had the potential to wreck havoc on the operations of our government, economy, infrastructures, transit systems, public utilities and first responders.”

The urgent need to protect those systems has led to the growth of a billion-dollar industry. The federal government’s demand for those services and products is estimated to grow to $11.7 billion by 2014, and that figure is likely to be surpassed by the commercial sector.

The Commission on Maryland Cyber Security Innovation and Excellence provide recommendations for helping the state fight and have a coordinated, rapid response to cyber attacks on our government computer systems. It will also lead to a strategic Road Map for making Maryland the leader in cyber security innovation and excellence.

Lee added, “With the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Security Agency (NSA), Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University and a large number of cyber security companies located within our borders, we will have the opportunity to propel Maryland forward as the leader in this knowledge based industry that will create jobs and cutting edge cyber innovations, and generate revenues.”