"It's the hottest ticket in town," said Steve Pennington, managing director of the Maryland Department of Commerce, welcoming more than 130 guests to breakfast with General (Ret) Keith Alexander. Hosted by the CyberMaryland delegation, led by Maryland Commerce, the event brought together companies from 11 states and four countries. Members of the delegation – including Howard and Anne Arundel Counties, local cybersecurity companies, federal agencies, and educational institutions – were also in attendance to tell Maryland's cyber story.

General Alexander, who led the National Security Agency from 2005 to 2014, also served as the first commander of the U.S. Cyber Command. After retiring from military service, the General founded IronNet Cybersecurity in Fulton, Md. In his remarks yesterday, he touted the benefits of doing business in Maryland – among them, the community, the ecosystem, and the talented workforce committed to the mission of keeping the country safe. "It's gold," he said.

"General Alexander is one of the most knowledgeable and most respected experts in the cyber arena," said Ken McCreedy, senior director of cyber development for Maryland Commerce. "His decision to open IronNet in Maryland is testament to the state's robust cyber sector."

Maryland is a cybersecurity powerhouse, with the federal government's top cyber agencies, 17 National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, a business environment where entrepreneurs and industry leaders alike can succeed, and a long-standing commitment to cybersecurity. Among the resources Maryland Commerce offers are an investment incentive tax credit to encourage investment in Maryland cyber companies, and a tax credit to assist employers in recouping security clearance costs.

"It speaks volumes about Maryland's strengths in cybersecurity, to have an industry leader like General Alexander share his insight into locating his business in Maryland," said Lawrence Twele, president of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. "The state and this region are indeed cyber central."

During his remarks, General Alexander noted the interconnectivity of devices today, increasing the opportunity for and the implications of cyber attacks. He stressed the importance of STEM education, noting that we're preparing today's students for threats we haven't yet identified with technology we haven't yet invented.

"We are the nation that created the Internet," General Alexander said. "It's our mission to secure it."

For the sixth consecutive year, Maryland's vibrant cybersecurity community is beingshowcased during RSA 2017, the nation's premier information security conference and expo. Held annually in San Francisco, the conference draws more than 40,000 attendees to the Moscone Center. Led by the Maryland Department of Commerce, the CyberMaryland delegation includes representatives from cybersecurity companies, federal agencies, and educational institutions, as well as county partners. LEARN MORE.