Governor Larry Hogan announced that the State of Maryland has hired Netta Squires, Esq. as the Director of Local Cybersecurity. The position was created as part of an overarching cybersecurity legislative package passed early this year. Squires will work at the Department of Information Technology and report to the State Chief Information Security Officer.
Netta Squires, Esq. has over 14 years of experience in emergency management and incident response as well as almost 8 years of specific experience in cybersecurity. She previously worked as an Emergency Management Specialist for the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security where she managed multiple projects and teams in various emergency support functions. Ms. Squires has her Juris Doctorate from George Washington Law School and a Masters of Science in Law in Cybersecurity from UMB School of Law. She is also a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) by the International Association of Emergency Managers.
The Director of Local Cybersecurity will work in coordination with the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to provide assistance and improve cybersecurity preparedness throughout the counties and municipalities across the state. She will also be working with the Governor’s Subcabinet on Infrastructure to help administer the cybersecurity portion of funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment And Jobs Act to local communities. The appointment comes as the state marks October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Earlier this year, the governor announced a new $102 million cyber readiness and workforce initiative to modernize, strengthen, and expand our cyber infrastructure and threat response activities; expand cybersecurity education; and provide universal and equitable access to Advanced Placement computer science classes.
“Maryland is the cyber capital of America, and these two extremely qualified individuals will help continue that leadership and build on the incredible progress we have made to protect our state’s critical infrastructure,” said Governor Hogan. “As we mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, I want to continue to encourage Marylanders to remain vigilant about the security of their data and information at home and at work.”