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Bill

SB 183

Public Safety - Maryland Cyber Reserve - Established

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Katie Hester

Maryland establishes a Cyber Reserve force of trained cybersecurity professionals to rapidly respond to government cyber incidents and support state and local agencies during digital emergencies.

Hearing 2/12 at 2:00 p.m.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 183

Legislative bill overview

SB 183 establishes a Maryland Cyber Reserve, creating an organized force of cybersecurity professionals available to assist state and local government agencies during cyber incidents and emergencies. The bill authorizes recruitment, training, and deployment of these reserves to respond to cyberattacks, data breaches, and related threats affecting critical infrastructure and government systems.

Why is this important

Cybersecurity threats to government systems have increased significantly, with ransomware attacks on local governments causing operational shutdowns and financial losses. A dedicated cyber reserve would provide rapid response capability without requiring permanent expansion of government IT staff, while also creating a pathway for private sector cybersecurity professionals to contribute to public safety.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding and budget impact: Establishing recruitment, training, and mobilization infrastructure requires ongoing appropriations with unclear cost projections
  • Private sector coordination: Unclear how the reserve will recruit and retain skilled cybersecurity professionals from private industry, and what incentives or liability protections they receive
  • Governance and oversight: Questions about command structure, activation authority, and accountability when reserves operate on government systems during sensitive incidents

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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