Maryland Defense Force
Description
Overview
The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is a volunteer, uniformed, state military agency comprised of individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds. Within the MDDF is the 256th Cyber Defense Unit (CDU), which focuses on broad civil defense in cyber for our communities. The Cyber Defense Unit’s mission focuses on information technology infrastructure operations, infrastructure hardening, threat hunting operations, vulnerability assessments, and incident recovery in support of other state agencies—as well as local governments upon request. Additionally, depending on the requesting organization, the CDU can also provide cyber hygiene awareness training to local community (non-government) organizations to help improve cyber readiness.
Request Services and Volunteer
- Criteria to Request Services:
- Eligibility for support: state agencies and county and municipal government(s) or their agencies within the State of Maryland.
- Eligibility for limited support/awareness training: local not-for-profit community groups in Maryland, contingent upon the approval of the MD National Guard Joint Staff and MDDF command.
- Request Service
- Request for support (all): DD Form 2536 filled out and submitted to the Joint Staff at: ng.md.mdarng.mbx.mdarng-joc@army.mil.
- Criteria to Volunteer
- To join the MDDF you must meet all of the following conditions:
- Over 18 but not yet 65 (for those older than 65, waivers are available for certain skill sets and/or billets).
- Must be a citizen of the United States.
- Have a clean criminal record and a valid driver's license.
- Reside in Maryland or a contiguous state.
- Possess credentials befitting a vacant billet within the Maryland Defense Force.
- Successfully pass a comprehensive background check.
- Prior military service applicants must have received an "Honorable" discharge documented in their discharge documents.
- Prior military service is not required.
- To join the MDDF you must meet all of the following conditions:
- Apply to Volunteer
- Contact our recruiting office at: recruiter@mddf.maryland.gov.
- Be ready to submit the following documents (when requested by recruiting):
- Complete MDDF application form.
- Copy of valid Driver’s License.
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship (Birth certificate, U.S. Naturalization document, or U.S. Passport).
- Professional resume or CV.
- If prior service, DD-214, NGB-22, or other military service record with social security number redacted.
- Educational or professional documents, such as professional licenses, certifications, transcripts and diplomas.
Disclaimer
The cybersecurity volunteer program described on this webpage is operated by an independent third-party and not by CISA or the federal government. CISA does not attest to the suitability or effectiveness of these volunteer programs for any particular use case. CISA does not endorse any third-party product or service. Any reference to specific third-party products, processes, or services by service mark, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply their endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by CISA.