DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

FUNCTIONS

[photo, 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland] Within State government, the main functions of the Department of Information Technology began in February 1993, when the Governor established the position of Chief of Information Technology, along with the Information Technology Board, within the Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning (Executive Order 01.01.1993.06). In July 1993, certain additional responsibilities for information technology were assigned by statute to the Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning (Chapter 120, Acts of 1993). To further oversee these duties, the Office of Information Technology was created within the Department of Budget and Management in 1996. The Office of Information Technology reformed as the Department of Information Technology in July 2008 (Chapter 9, Acts of 2008; Chapters 241 & 242, Acts of 2022; Code State Finance & Procurement Article, secs. 3.5-101 through 3.5-606).

State information technology policy is the responsibility of the Department of Information Technology. The Department develops, maintains, revises, and enforces information technology policies, procedures, and standards throughout State government. Moreover, the Department publishes and maintains the State Information Security Policy and its related security requirements.

All information technology, and telecommunications systems and devices used by State government agencies are coordinated, purchased, and managed by the Department. The Department, however, does not have authority over or responsibility for these areas within the University System of Maryland, Morgan State University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, the Maryland Port Administration, or the Maryland Stadium Authority (Chapter 150, Acts of 2018).

100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

To the Governor and all units of State government, the Department provides technical assistance, advice, and recommendations concerning information technology. Annually, the Department reviews the project plans of State agencies for making their services and information available to the public on-line.

The Statewide Information Technology Master Plan is developed and maintained by the Department. The Plan is the basis for the management and direction of information technology within the Executive Branch of State government. The Plan covers all aspects of information technology, including information management, data processing, and telecommunications (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, secs. 3.5-304 through 3.5-307).

Formerly located at 45 Calvert Street, Annapolis, the Department moved to 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, in July 2016.

OFFICE OF SECRETARY

100 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032

With Senate advice and consent, the Secretary of Information Technology is appointed by the Governor.

The Secretary of Information Technology serves on the Governor's Executive Council, the Governor's Subcabinet on Infrastructure; the MD THINK Committee; and chairs the Governor's Artificial Intelligence Subcabinet, the Information Technology Advisory Council, the Statewide Interoperability Radio Control Board, the Council on Open Data, and the Workgroup to Study Implementation of an Expanded 3-1-1 Nonemergency System.

As a member, the Secretary serves on the Board of Directors, Assistive Technology Loan Program; the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board; the Maryland Cybersecurity Coordinating Council; the Maryland Cybersecurity Council; the Management Committee of the EMaryland Application Service Provider Consortium; the Government Efficiency Commission; the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee; the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee; the Modernize Maryland Commission; the Procurement Improvement Council; and the Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs.

Formerly, the Department's work had been organized under Administration, and Operations. In April 2015, however, reorganization aligned Department units under the Chief of Staff, and the Chief Operating Officer. In November 2016, departmental units again were placed under Administration and Operations. By October 2024, the units were divided under different Chiefs.

Under the Secretary are seven main offices: Artificial Intelligence Enablement; Business Operations; Enterprise Data; Maryland Digital Service; Infrastructure; Platform and Client Services; and Security Management.

CHIEF OF STAFF

Beginning in April 2015, the Chief of Staff was responsible for Administration, and Social Media and Digital Engagement. Following a February 2016 restructuring, the Chief of Staff oversaw DoIT Procurement and Contract Management, Enterprise Program Management, and Finance. Briefly, Administration was headed by an Assistant Secretary, who oversaw the Resource Share Program, as well as DoIT Procurement and Contract Management, Enterprise Program Management, and Finance, beginning in November 2016. In August 2018, those units once again were placed under the Chief of Staff. In October 2019, when statewide procurement functions were consolidated in the Department of General Services, DoIT Procurement and Contract Management was abolished.

OFFICE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ENABLEMENT

In March 2023, the Office of Artificial Intelligence Enablement was formed within the Department of Information Technology.

Under the Office are two units: Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Policy and Governance, and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Product Initiatives.

MARYLAND DIGITAL SERVICE

Maryland Digital Service originated in March 2023 as the Office of Digital Experience, and reformed under its present name in August 2024.

Under the Maryland Digital Service are five main units: Engineering; Product and Platforms; Strategic Initiatives; User Experience and Service Design; and Web Experience.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Strategic Initiatives originally formed as Strategic Investments, and adopted its present name by April 2025.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT FUND
Now under Strategic Initiatives, the Information Technology Investment Fund started as the Major Information Technology Development Project Fund. In July 2024, the General Assembly renamed it as the Information Technology Investment Fund (Chapter 497, Acts of 2024).

Major information technology development projects for Executive Branch agencies and commissions are supported by the Information Technology Investments Fund (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, sec. 3.5-309). Managed by the Department of Information Technology, the Fund supports major information technology development projects for which the estimated total cost of development equals or exceeds $1,000,000; or the project undertaken supports a critical business function associated with the public health, education, safety, or financial well-being of the citizens of Maryland; or the Secretary of Information Technology determines that the project requires the special attention and consideration given to a major information technology development project (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, secs. 3.5-101, 3.5-308, 3.5-309).

OFFICE OF ENTERPRISE DATA

Initially, the Office of Enterprise Data started as the Office of Data. It adapted its present name by April 2025.

[photo, 100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland]

OFFICE OF INFRASTRUCTURE

100 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032

The Office of Infrastructure traces its origins to January 2005, when the Networks Division began within the Office of Information Technology under the Department of Budget and Management. The Division joined the Department of Information Technology in July 2008, and was placed under Operations in February 2009. Reorganized in April 2015, the Networks Division was renamed the Office of Infrastructure.

Critical communication infrastructure systems are maintained and supported by the Office of Infrastructure to improve broadband access for State agencies and critical local community institutions, such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and public safety agencies. These systems include construction of telecommunication towers; the maintenance and expansion of the State's communications fiber optic network, called networkMaryland; and a statewide radio communication system for first responders, called Maryland First.


100 Community Place, Crownsville, Maryland, July 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Statewide networks, such as networkMaryland and the State's wireless microwave and radio systems, are implemented and operated by the Office of Infrastructure to ensure that State agencies have a cost-effective means for transmitting data and mobile information. Infrastructure also manages the State's inventory of cellular phones and the contracts for activating and deactivating cell phones, pagers, and other wireless devices.

Under the Office of Infrastructure are three units: Infrastructure Agreements; Network Infrastructure; and Public Safety Communications.

Assisting the Office of Infrastructure are the Digital Infrastructure Group, and the Statewide Interoperability Radio Control Board.

INFRASTRUCTURE AGREEMENTS

Infrastructure Agreements was made part of the Office of Infrastructure by April 2025.

NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE

Under the Office of Infrastructure, Network Infrastructure organized first as Servers and Storage in April 2015. It became Cloud Services in November 2016, and reformed as Network Infrastructure by April 2025.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS

Public Safety Communications began as Radio Services within the Department of General Services. In 1994, it was designated as Wireless Communication Services, and transferred in 1996 to the Department of Budget and Management. Placed under the Office of Information Technology, it was renamed Wireless Support Services in 1997, and Wireless Services in 2002. As part of the Networks Division, it moved to the Department of Information Technology in July 2008. Under the Chief Operating Officer, the Statewide Radio System was established as a separate division in April 2015. In December 2015, it reformed as Statewide Interoperable Communications under the Office of Infrastructure, and by March 2023 was renamed Public Safety Communications.

Compatibility between radio systems is provided by Public Safety Communications. This unit evaluates and promotes the sharing of resources, where appropriate; and procures wireless systems, including radio, microwave, cellular phone and paging systems. It also advises State agencies on planning, acquisition, and operation of radio systems; and provides radio frequency coordination assistance to State and local government.

OFFICE OF PLATFORM & CLIENT SERVICES

The Office of Platform and Client Services organized in March 2023.

Under the Office are five main units: Client Services and Delivery; Collaboration and Communications Platforms; Enterprise Resource Planning and Operations; and Software as a Service (SAAS) and Platform Operations.

CLIENT SERVICES & DELIVERY

Client Services and Delivery began as Applications and Client Delivery Services, and reformed as Client Services by 2023. By October 2024, it transferred to the Office of Platform and Client Services, and was renamed Client Services and Delivery.

OFFICE OF SECURITY MANAGEMENT

In June 2019, the Office of Security Management was authorized by the Governor within the Department of Information Technology (Executive Order 01.01.2019.07). The Office replaced Statewide Security Services. In July 2022, the General Assembly authorized the Office of Security Management by statute (Chapter 242, Acts of 2022).

The Office directs, coordinates, and implements the overall cybersecurity strategy and policy for the Executive Branch of State government. This strategy and policy relate to standards by which to categorize all information and information systems collected or maintained by or on behalf of each unit of State government; as well as to guidelines governing the types of information and information systems to be included in each category; and security requirements, i.e. management, operational and technical controls, for information and information systems in each category. They also concern assessing the categorization of systems and data, and the associated implementation of information security requirements; determining whether a system should be allowed to continue to operate if the State Chief Information Security Officer finds security vulnerabilities or deficiencies in the implementation of information security requirements.

With regard to strategy and policy, the Office's role also involves the management of security awareness training for State employees; assisting to develop data management, data governance, and data specification standards to promote standardization and reduce risk; and helping to form a digital identity standard and specification applicable to all parties who communicate, interact, or conduct business with or on behalf of State government (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, sec. 3.5-2A-01 through 3.5-2A-06).

Directing the Office of Security Management is the State Chief Information Security Officer, who chairs the Maryland Cybersecurity Coordinating Council (Code State Finance & Procurement Article, sec. 3.5-2A-03); and serves on the Artificial Intelligence Subcabinet; and the Modernize Maryland Commission.

Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.

Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
© Copyright June 30, 2025 Maryland State Archives