Kirsten Davies, Former CISO at Unilever, Set to Join Pentagon

President Donald Trump has formally nominated Kirsten Davies as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Department of Defense (DoD), a crucial position aimed at strengthening the cyber resilience and modernization of the Pentagon’s extensive digital architecture. This nomination was put forth to Congress recently and is currently under review by the Committee on Armed Services.

If her confirmation proceeds, Davies will take on a pivotal role as the main IT advisor to the Secretary of Defense. Her responsibilities will encompass overseeing a wide range of national security and defense business systems while managing information resources and identifying operational efficiencies. This includes the oversight of not only IT services but also cybersecurity strategy, secure communications, defense systems, spectrum management, and network architecture.

With directives that span from command and control communications in conflict zones to classified intelligence platforms, the DoD CIO must uphold cybersecurity best practices while fostering innovation in emerging fields, including artificial intelligence and data science. The position is significantly influential and politically sensitive, often involving budget oversight, vendor negotiations, and responses to emergent crises.

In contrast to many of her peers within federal technology leadership, Davies brings substantial experience from the private sector, having worked across various industries, including manufacturing, finance, energy, and telecommunications. She co-founded the Institute for Cyber, a non-profit organization dedicated to technology and digital safety, and has served as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for notable companies such as Unilever, Estée Lauder, and Barclays. Furthermore, Davies has contributed to national policy discussions as a member of the Cyber and Tech Security Council at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School.

Expressing her gratitude on LinkedIn for the nomination, Davies stated that she felt honored by the opportunity to serve her country and the men and women in uniform.

During a conversation with Information Security Media Group at the RSA Conference in 2023, Davies discussed her approach to leadership, emphasizing that Chief Information Security Officers must act as “risk executives” who can demystify complex topics for their business counterparts. She underscored the need for CISOs to engage in discussions that encompass operational risks, market influences, technological footprints, and data management.

As she transitions from a civilian cybersecurity leader to a key position within the U.S. federal government, it is anticipated that Davies will spearhead modernization efforts across the Department of Defense’s digital landscape. Her extensive governance background from the private sector may shape the DoD’s strategies for risk management, vendor relations, and inter-agency collaboration.

The timing of this nomination occurs amidst increasing geopolitical tensions, where cyber threats, including warfare, AI-driven misinformation campaigns, and infrastructure sabotage, are on the rise. The CIO’s office is integral to bolstering the Pentagon’s command and control capabilities essential for military operations worldwide.

Davies will replace Katie Arrington, who has been acting as the DoD CIO following interim leadership from Leslie Beavers. The last Senate-confirmed CIO, John Sherman, held the position during most of the Biden administration.