Lt. Governor Aruna Miller Leads Maryland Commerce Delegation to World’s Largest Cybersecurity Conference

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller led a delegation of leaders from the Maryland Departments of Commerce and Labor to San Francisco last week for the RSA Conference, the world’s largest cybersecurity convening, to strengthen partnerships, attract new investment, and reinforce Maryland’s position as a global leader in cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

The multi-day trip brought together government officials, industry executives, and innovators from around the world, providing a platform for Maryland to showcase its unmatched cyber ecosystem while building relationships with companies shaping the future of technology.

“Maryland already has one of the most advanced cybersecurity ecosystems in the world, but we’re here to continue that momentum,” said Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. “RSA is an opportunity to build partnerships, grow our economy, and ensure Maryland remains at the forefront of innovation, security, and opportunity.”

Driving Investment and Industry Partnerships

During the visit, Lt. Governor Miller met with venture capital leaders at R136 Ventures to discuss opportunities to scale Maryland-based startups and attract new growth-stage investment into the state’s innovation economy.

She also met with executives from Waymo to discuss the future of autonomous vehicle technology and ongoing pilot programs in Maryland, including possible opportunities to expand operations and potentially establish a maintenance and operating facility in the state.

Elevating Maryland’s Global Cyber Presence

At the RSA Conference, Lt. Governor Miller headlined the Maryland Cyber Networking Breakfast, where she joined Secretary of Commerce Harry Coker, Jr. and Secretary of Labor Portia Wu to highlight Maryland’s cybersecurity strengths, workforce investments, and more than $10 billion in recent private-sector investment.

“Maryland has continuously demonstrated its resilience and ability to rise to challenges—and so has our business community. As emerging technologies continue to transform the tech landscape, our companies are taking the lead in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence solutions, and quantum computing,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. “As these industries continue to grow, Maryland will continue investing in local talent and future opportunities for all.”

"Maryland’s presence at RSA reflects our leadership at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, and workforce development," said Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu. "Through Cyber Maryland and other ambitious programs, we are investing in growing talent, strengthening industry partnerships, and ensuring our workforce is prepared for the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy. We are positioning Maryland as the premier destination for cyber innovation and opportunity."

During the breakfast, the State of Maryland also announced that United Kingdom-based cybersecurity company Risk Ledger plans to expand into Maryland through the state’s Global Gateway Soft Landing program. The company intends to establish operations in Montgomery County, hiring new employees and growing its U.S. presence while contributing to Maryland’s rapidly expanding cyber ecosystem.

Lt. Governor Miller and Secretaries Coker and Wu also joined for an episode of The Risk Apogee podcast, hosted by Malcolm “M.K.” Palmore—a navy veteran, former FBI leader, and senior executive at Google Cloud and Palo Alto Networks. The podcast centers on how leaders navigate risk in a rapidly evolving, hyper-connected world, with a focus on turning uncertainty into strategic advantage. The episode will be released in the coming weeks.

Showcasing Maryland on the Global Stage

Throughout the conference, the delegation conducted a strategic tour of the expo floor, engaging directly with Maryland-based companies and international firms exploring U.S. expansion. The tour focused on strengthening business relationships and positioning Maryland as a top destination for cybersecurity investment and growth.

Lt. Governor Miller also held a series of high-level meetings with industry leaders, including Dr. Amit Sinha, CEO of DigiCert, to discuss digital trust, cybersecurity infrastructure, and opportunities for collaboration. She also met with Ankur Shah, Co-founder & CEO of Straiker, an AI-native security platform designed specifically to protect enterprise AI applications and autonomous agents, to explore innovation partnerships and emerging trends in enterprise security.

And at the 5th Annual Ladies in Cyber Dinner, Lt. Governor Miller and Secretary Wu joined leaders from across the cybersecurity sector to highlight the importance of community, collaboration, and inclusion in strengthening global cyber resilience.

Advancing Maryland’s Vision for the Future

Across every engagement, Lt. Governor Miller emphasized Maryland’s unique position at the intersection of government, industry, and academia—and its commitment to investing in the workforce, technologies, and partnerships that will define the future.

The RSA Conference runs annually in San Francisco and is widely regarded as one of the most influential gatherings in cybersecurity, bringing together global leaders to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the field.

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