The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defence for Cyber Policy has been formally constituted, the Pentagon announced in a statement last week.
Congress directed the Pentagon to set up the office, elevating cyber policy within the office of the Secretary of Defence, as mandated by the fiscal 2023 National Defence Authorization Act.
There was some backlash when the department chose to take extra time to consider what would fall within the purview of that agency, including the potential inclusion of electronic warfare and information warfare, rather than establishing it in the timescale lawmakers had initially asked for.
The release states that it was finally created on March 20.
“In standing up this office, the Department is giving cyber the focus and attention that Congress intended,” Sasha Baker, acting undersecretary of defense for policy, noted in a statement.
According to the Pentagon, the assistant secretary will report to the undersecretary of defence for policy and serve as the principal senior officer responsible for overseeing Department of Defence cyber strategy and operations. The official will be the DOD's top cyber advisor as well.
As to the press statement, the newly appointed assistant secretary will be the point of contact for the current deputy assistant secretary of defence for cyber policy.
The Pentagon stated that the new office's tasks include, among others:
- Creating, organising, assessing, and managing the implementation of DOD cyber policy and strategy.
- Overseeing and certifying the Department of Defense's cyberspace operations budget, as well as providing fiscal and budgetary oversight to the $3 billion annual execution of US Cyber Command's enhanced budget authority.
- Monitoring the programmes and actions related to cyber workforce development, recruiting, and retention.
- Managing the integration of cyberspace activities and capabilities into operational and contingency plans.
- Developing DOD cyber policy advice for private sector outreach, engagement, and agreements.
- Leading the DOD's execution of national cyberspace policies. Leading the development, execution, and supervision of cybersecurity-related activities for security cooperation.
Last month, President Biden revealed his intention to nominate Michael Sulmeyer to take on the new post. Sulmeyer is currently the Army's top cyber adviser and has previously held positions in the Pentagon, Cybercom, and the National Security Council relating to cyber policy and operations.
Ashley Manning is acting as the assistant secretary until Sulmeyer is confirmed by the Senate.