It gives us great pleasure to announce a new leadership team within the National Protection and Programs Directorate’s (NPPD) Office of Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C) that will build upon our accomplishments and help move us further forward in our efforts to strengthen the resilience of critical networks and protect the systems we all rely on.
Dr. Andy Ozment will be joining us as the new Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications, to lead our strong team at CS&C. He brings to this position a wide breadth of experience in cybersecurity as a programmer, operator, researcher and policymaker. In addition to his recent role as Senior Director for Cybersecurity at the White House, Dr. Ozment has previously served in operational and policy roles at both DHS and the Department of Defense. At the White House, Dr. Ozment worked for the Cybersecurity Coordinator, Michael Daniel, and most recently led the development and implementation of Executive Order 13636 on Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity; this work resulted in improved information sharing, the development of the Cybersecurity Framework, and the establishment of the Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community C³ Voluntary Program.
Also joining our team at CS&C is retired Air Force Brigadier General Gregory J. Touhill who will serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity Operations and Programs. General Touhill has extensive experience in management, including with large, complex acquisitions, and will focus on the development and implementation of operational programs designed to protect our government networks and the critical systems that run our power plants and utilities, such as the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program and our 24X7 National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center. General Touhill retired from the U.S. Air Force in July 2013 after a distinguished 30-year career that culminated as the Chief Information Officer and Director of Command, Control, Communications, and Cyber Systems at the United States Transportation Command.
Anchoring this team is Bobbie Stempfley, who has done a superb job serving as Acting Assistant Secretary, in addition to fulfilling her duties as Deputy Assistant Secretary. Stempfley will assume a new role as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity Strategy and Emergency Communications, overseeing emergency communications, developing and implementing strategy and policy efforts, as well as focusing on building on our partnerships with the public and private sectors, and the general public. Stempfley has been an integral part of our team over the past several months and we are excited that she is taking on this new responsibility.
Together, they will work as a team at the direction of the Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications. As we continue to grow and build on our existing cybersecurity team, we look forward to furthering our efforts in cybersecurity and communications as key elements of our overarching mission to strengthen the security and resilience of our nation’s critical infrastructure.