October 30, 2024 – ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) is partnering with the Office of the Comptroller of Maryland to make available free cybersecurity resources and tools to the state’s more than 600,000 small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Through this collaboration, Maryland-based SMBs will have access to the full breadth of CRI’s resources, including CRI’s leading Cyber Readiness Program, which brings together best practices, training and educational materials tailored to their unique needs. Maryland’s SMBs employ more than 1.2 million people and account for more than 99% of the state’s businesses, making cybersecurity a priority for the Old Line State.
CRI’s approach to cybersecurity – created and refined in conjunction with experts from leading companies such as Apple, MasterCard, Microsoft and T-Mobile — focuses on addressing human behavior, embedding basic cyber policies and processes into organizations to enhance security and cyber resilience. Its Cyber Readiness Program, now in its third iteration, has been adopted and used by thousands of organizations worldwide to protect themselves from various cyber threats.
In addition, for the many Maryland-based businesses that work with the U.S. government, CRI’s resources lay a strong foundation for meeting the upcoming Department of Defense contractual cybersecurity requirements.
“Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Maryland’s economy, and ensuring they are protected from cyber threats is essential,” Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, said. “Our partnership with the Cyber Readiness Institute will equip Maryland businesses with the vital resources they need to safeguard sensitive data, secure their digital assets, and ensure their long-term success.”
“By strengthening the cybersecurity resilience of its SMB community, Maryland is demonstrating leadership and a commitment to a robust future for the state’s economy,” said Karen S. Evans, managing director of the Cyber Readiness Institute. “Maryland’s SMBs play a major role in the global supply chain, and by applying best practices for cyber readiness, they can help further secure it from security breaches and other malicious threats.”
For more information about the resources and how to access them, visit https://cyberreadinessinstitute.org/ or https://www.marylandtaxes.gov/
