State Hosts Canadian, British Cyber Security Officials

The Naval Academy is hosting a conference on cyber security and defense this week with government and business leaders from the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom.

The conference, titled "Cross Tech: Cyber Defense in the 21st Century, began Monday and continues Tuesday. It is hosted by state officials and is part of the Star Spangled 200 celebration that began last year, marking 200 years since the War of 1812. Scholars from all three countries will gather in Annapolis later this week for a symposium on the war.

"As home to numerous federal facilities, universities and military installations, Maryland has become the epicenter of cyber security," Gov. Martin O'Malley said in a release.

The conference will include presentations on international collaborations in cyber defense.

"I look forward to creating additional cross-border partnerships in cyber, critical infrastructure, information technology and life sciences," Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer said in the release. "Canada is America's largest trading partner and Maryland's largest export customer. It's an honor for Canada to participate in this conference and celebrate 200 years of peace, prosperity and partnership among the U.S., U.K. and Canada."