Pierluigi Paganini April 01, 2024

The US government announced establishing the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy.

The US Defense Department announced establishing the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy (ASD(CP)) as directed in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.

The ASD(CP) will oversee DoD policy for cyber operations reporting to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)).

The ASD(CP) also serves as the Principal Cyber Advisor (PCA), advising the Secretary of Defense on military cyber forces and activities.

“In standing up this office, the Department is giving cyber the focus and attention that Congress intended,” said Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Sasha Baker.

The Secretary of Defense has appointed Ms. Ashley Manning, a senior executive service career member, to lead the ASD(CP) until the Senate confirms a presidential nominee and is officially appointed. Michael Sulmeyer, the Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of the Army, has been nominated by the President for the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy.

The ASD(CP) reports to the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and USD(P) for all matters concerning cyber activities aimed at supporting or facilitating DoD missions including but not limited to:

• Developing, coordinating, assessing, and overseeing the implementation of DoD cyberspace policy and strategy to ensure alignment with overarching national security objectives.
• Overseeing and certifying the department’s Cyberspace Operations Budget, including fiscal oversight of USCYBERCOM’s $3 billion annual execution with their ‘Enhanced Budget Control’ (Budget Authority, as recently approved by the FY24 DoD Appropriations Act).
• Monitoring programs and activities related to cyberspace workforce development, recruitment, and retention.
• Integrating cyberspace operations and capabilities into operations and contingency plans.
• Crafting DoD cyberspace policy guidance regarding private sector outreach, engagement, and agreements.
• Spearheading the DoD’s implementation of national-level cyberspace policies.
• Leading the development, implementation, and oversight of cyberspace-related activities for security cooperation.
• Exercising authority, direction, and control over the official designated as Deputy PCA concerning their Deputy PCA duties.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, cyber policy)