Nearly a year after federal cybersecurity policy shifted responsibility and funding to the states, what does that change actually look like in practice?

In this episode of The SafeHouse Podcast, host Jeff Edwards sits down with James Saunders, Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Maryland, to unpack how cybersecurity leadership, resilience, and public service are evolving at the state level.

James shares his career journey from frontline technical support at Comcast to federal cybersecurity leadership during COVID, and now to safeguarding Maryland’s digital infrastructure. Along the way, he explains Maryland’s IT Master Plan, the state’s five-pillar cybersecurity strategy, and why partnerships, talent development, and resilience matter more than ever.

The conversation goes beyond policy and architecture, touching on leadership, empathy, burnout, and what it really takes to sustain a career in cybersecurity.

If you work in cybersecurity, IT leadership, government, or risk management, this episode offers a rare, candid look inside how states are adapting to a new national reality.

Key topics include:

The shift of cybersecurity responsibility from federal to state governments
Maryland’s IT Master Plan and cybersecurity strategy
Cyber resilience beyond technology alone
Building and retaining cybersecurity talent
Information sharing across states
Leadership lessons from crisis moments like COVID
One practical thing everyone can do to improve their security posture

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