Counties support strengthening cybersecurity scholarships and promoting public roles – Conduit Street

On January 25, 2022, Associate Director Brianna January testified before the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 24 Cybersecurity Scholarship Program – Modifications and Maryland Cybersecurity Loan Assistance Repayment Program – Established. This bill expands eligibility for the Public Service Cybersecurity Scholarship Program; increases the number of years a recipient can hold a scholarship, allows part-time students to qualify; importantly, allows employment in county government to count toward the public service work requirement of the scholarship program; and establishes the Maryland Cybersecurity Loan Assistance Repayment Program to incentivize cybersecurity students to pursue work in the public sector, including with county governments.

According to MACo’s testimony:

HB 24 creates a pathway for cybersecurity professionals to pursue a career in local government in two ways: by requiring the number of years of scholarship to be equivalent to the time spent working in the civil service and by establishing a program student loan repayment assistance for employed cybersecurity personnel. in local government. The bill specifies that qualifying service includes employment with a local education agency, public high school, public institution of higher learning, community college, or government unit. from the state, county government, or city or municipal government.

FHB 24 creates a pathway for cybersecurity professionals to pursue careers with local government in two ways: by requiring the number of years of scholarship to be equivalent to the time spent working in the civil service, and by establishing a program student loan repayment assistance for cybersecurity personnel employed in local government. The bill specifies that qualifying service includes employment with a local education agency, public high school, public institution of higher learning, community college, or government unit. from the state, county government, or city or municipal government.

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