![[photo, 45 Calvert St., Annapolis, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/11dbm/images/1198-1-599b.jpg)
In Maryland, the State agency responsible for information technology is the Department of Information Technology. Most commonly part of administrative agencies, local departments of information technology within county governments are responsible for local information technology applications.
Department of Information Technology, 45 Calvert St., Annapolis, Maryland, December 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
As an economic leader in technology advancements, Maryland possesses a strong information technology support base. This base includes State government agencies and private firms, as well as federal agencies, such as the National Security Agency at Fort George Meade.
In 2015, some 11,280 information technology businesses employed over 116,570 workers in Maryland. In 2016, Maryland ranked third in the Milken's Institute's State Technology and Science Index, and first in technology job concentration. Maryland also ranked fifth in the 2014 State New Economy Index which measures economies on multiple factors relating to and including information technology. In 2014, information technology businesses generated $39.26 billion for Maryland's economy.
Maryland's colleges and universities also help develop advancements and new applications in this field. As well as offering classes in information technology, The Johns Hopkins University maintains the Information Security Institute, which examines and researches protocols and security measures designed to protect the national information infrastructure. The Institute offers classes and seminars, as well as oversees homeland security efforts at the University. Recognized by the National Security Agency, the Institute has been designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance.
At the University of Maryland, College Park, the Decision, Operations and Information Technologies Department conducts research and offers classes, and educational programs. Information system programs at the University's Robert H. Smith School of Business have received national recognition, consistantly placing at the top of professional surveys. For management information systems, Smith School programs ranked ninth in the nation in the 2015 U.S. News and World Report survey, and the School's information technology program placed sixth according to a 2015 Wall Street Journal poll.
In addition, the General Assembly addresses concerns about information technology through the Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology.
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