PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County Government is celebrating a major national achievement as Kathryn Poff, chief information security officer and deputy director of the Calvert County Department of Technology Services, received the 2026 CapitalCISO ORBIE Corporate Award.
The annual CapitalCISO ORBIE Awards honor chief information security officers demonstrating outstanding leadership in the field. Winners across Global, Large Enterprise, Enterprise, Corporate and Healthcare categories were announced June 25.
Poff and the Calvert County Department of Technology Services were recognized for developing a structured cybersecurity program supporting all county departments and employees. A standout achievement was transforming security awareness through gamification.
“We introduced contests, challenges and short engaging videos that made security approachable and encouraged friendly competition across departments,” Poff said. “This shifted cybersecurity from a compliance exercise to part of our workplace culture, increasing reports of suspicious activity, reducing phishing susceptibility and strengthening the county’s overall security posture.”
With more than 25 years of public sector technology experience, Poff leads cybersecurity strategy protecting systems essential to county operations and public safety services for approximately 1,400 employees.
Poff was one of five 2026 CapitalCISO ORBIE Award recipients, joining cybersecurity leaders from Northrop Grumman Corporation, Navy Federal Credit Union, the former U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the University of Maryland Medical System.
Finalists and winners were selected through an independent, peer-adjudicated process led by previous ORBIE Award recipients. Since 1998, the awards have recognized more than 5,000 finalists, with over 800 leaders receiving the honor.
The recognition highlights Calvert County’s commitment to proactive cybersecurity measures in an increasingly digital environment. Poff’s leadership ensures critical services remain secure while fostering a culture of vigilance among county employees.
Calvert County officials expressed pride in Poff’s accomplishment, noting its positive reflection on the department and the county’s dedication to excellence in public service technology.
