Incubator and educational efforts that support cybersecurity growth are emerging in Maryland, along with Gov. Martin O'Malley's (D) new initiative.

The Security Technology Institute in Baltimore, organized about a year ago, launched its first program, Rapid to Revenue, in November. The program enlists government contractors and small businesses to help startups gain access to the federal market. An upcoming program for the institute, Cyber Soft Landing, will help foreign companies find footing in Maryland.

"It's the perfect storm from an economic development standpoint," said Allen C. Shay, CEO of the institute, referring to the private-sector growth, strong support in Congress and increasing cybersecurity concerns.

The institute is also pursuing relationships with the Maryland-Israel Development Center, because Israel has one of the most robust cybersecurity sectors in the world, Shay said.

Shay said the institute is still evaluating candidates for the Rapid to Revenue program.

The University of Maryland, College Park, has also focused on cybersecurity for several years, said Brian Darmody, associate vice president of research and economic development.

Business professor Lawrence A. Gordon has written a definitive book on the subject and offers an annual contest to essayists offering cybersecurity solutions, with a prize of $1,000 for first place, Darmody said.

The university has about 240 students pursuing computer and information science degrees, but that number does not reflect the vast range of subjects that cybersecurity encompasses, including most of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, he said.

Darmody said cybersecurity will also tie into the university's upcoming Joint Quantum Institute, which is a research partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg. He said the quantum computers will need cryptologists.

"We're trying to attract and build a cyber workforce," Darmody said, adding that the university is working harder to organize and align its cybersecurity assets. "Cybersecurity is ubiquitous. It's not just protecting your computer anymore."

Also, the Tech Council of Maryland will host a Business of Cybersecurity conference Thursday, featuring officials from the Department of Homeland Security and National Cyber Security Center at Fort Meade.

Learn more

Tech Council of Maryland conference, "The Business of Cyber Security," 8 a.m.-noon, Johns Hopkins University, 9601 Medical Center Drive, Rockville. $90; members $60. Registration: http://techcouncilmd.com.