Maryland Department of Human Services

Profile narrative

The Maryland Department of Human Services (also known as MDHS, Maryland Health Department, Maryland Department of Health, and Maryland's Department of Health and Human Services) is a state government agency. It is responsible for delivering health and human services to the residents of Maryland. Its core functions include administering public health programs and overseeing social service initiatives. The agency operates under the authority of the Maryland state government.

The department's headquarters is located in the United States, specifically within the state of Maryland. As a state-level organization, its services are provided across the entire state. It interacts with various federal agencies to implement federally funded health and assistance programs. The organization's mandate covers a broad population that includes individuals eligible for Medicaid, SNAP, and other state-administered benefits.

In June 2023, the agency was affected by a global cybersecurity incident involving the MOVEit file transfer application, prompting an investigation by the state's Office of Security Management. In May 2023, a zero‑day vulnerability in MOVEit was exploited by the Clop ransomware group, resulting in the theft of sensitive personal information from a significant number of individuals whose data was held by a third‑party vendor used by the department. In December 2021, a cyberattack disrupted operations at the Maryland Department of Health, forcing the agency to take certain systems offline and causing service interruptions that lasted multiple days. These incidents highlight the organization's exposure to supply‑chain and software‑vulnerability risks despite its primary focus on service delivery.

The agency's role includes ensuring compliance with state and federal health regulations, although specific regulatory details are not provided in the source material. It coordinates with local health departments and service providers to implement public health initiatives across Maryland. The department's structure places it directly under the executive branch of the Maryland state government, reporting to the Governor's office. No parent or subsidiary relationships are described in the available information.

Overall, the Maryland Department of Human Services functions as a key provider of health and human services within the state, balancing service delivery with the need to safeguard sensitive information. Its experience with cybersecurity incidents underscores the importance of robust information security practices for state agencies. The organization continues to operate under the mandate to protect and improve the well‑being of Maryland residents. This profile is based solely on the information supplied in the prompt and does not include any speculative or unverified details.

Incidents

3 incidents linked to this organisation.