Cyber Risk Quantification
October 13, 2023
Federal cybersecurity responsibility has shifted to the states. What happens next?
In this episode of The SafeHouse Podcast, Jeff Edwards welcomes James Saunders, Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Maryland, for a deep conversation on state-level cybersecurity, resilience, and leadership.
James walks through his path from early technical support roles to federal cybersecurity leadership and now to protecting Maryland’s digital ecosystem. He explains Maryland’s IT Master Plan, the state’s five-pillar cybersecurity strategy, and how partnerships, talent, and resilience come together in practice.
This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how cybersecurity decisions are made at scale, how states collaborate with one another, and why taking care of people matters as much as taking care of systems.
You’ll learn about:
• How cybersecurity policy and funding have shifted to the states
• Maryland’s approach to cyber resilience and zero trust
• Public-private partnerships and information sharing
• Cybersecurity workforce development
• Lessons from leading through COVID
• Practical advice for cybersecurity professionals
James closes with powerful advice: take care of yourself first—because burnout weakens even the strongest defenses.
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast: https://doit.maryland.gov https://doit.maryland.gov/About-DoIT/…
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