Baltimore, Md. — With cybercrime affecting over 343 million people in 2023 alone, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland joined forces with the University of Maryland to tackle the surging global cyber threats in a major cybersecurity conference held today. Business and public sector leaders from across Maryland gathered to gain critical insights into safeguarding their operations from the growing risks of cybercrime and data breaches.
The urgency of this gathering is underscored by a 72% global increase in data breaches in 2023, as reported by Forbes Advisor. The conference provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of best practices, emerging cybersecurity threats, and the critical importance of effective collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities, private sector entities, and law enforcement agencies.
“Cybercrime threatens our national security, our public safety, and our financial security,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron. “While we work to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes, law enforcement must also collaborate with the private sector to effectively prevent and disrupt cyber incidents before they happen. The thoughtful discussions inspired by this conference set the stage for continued collaboration and partnership between the government, business, and public sectors to protect our critical infrastructure. Many thanks to University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines and our partners at the University for their co-sponsorship of this important conference.”
The conference featured multiple panels that covered critical areas of cybersecurity, including how to identify potential vulnerabilities, strategies for handling a cyber incident, and guidelines for coordinating responses with law enforcement. A mix of experts from government and private industry shared practical insights and presented real-world case studies, offering guidance on both proactive and reactive cybersecurity strategies.
For many attendees, the conference was also a unique opportunity to network and engage in discussions about enhancing cybersecurity measures within Maryland’s communities. Participants were encouraged to forge connections and continue conversations around innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to keep Maryland’s digital infrastructure secure.
University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines emphasized the importance of preparing the next generation to confront these digital threats. “At the University of Maryland, our students and faculty work across campus to develop and deploy technologies to address the grand challenges of our time. We also recognize the importance of protecting our communities from the growing threat of cybercrime that comes when technologies are used for the wrong reasons,” Pines said. “We are grateful for the opportunity provided by this conference to engage with business and government leaders to tackle these critical issues.”
The conference underscored the need for continuous collaboration across public and private sectors to counter cyber threats effectively. Experts also stressed that building robust cybersecurity infrastructure requires not only technological innovation but also policies that foster information sharing and coordinated responses. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the University of Maryland made it clear that this collaborative event is only a first step in an ongoing journey to strengthen cybersecurity practices across the state.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and its initiatives, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/cybersecurity.
