US Air Force Aligns With USCYBERCOM’s Cyber Mission Force
USAF’s Dr. Wanda T. Jones-Heath on Tech Precision in New-Age Cyber Warfare
Dr. Wanda T. Jones-Heath, principal cyber advisor, Department of U.S. Air Force, DAF, instituted the groundbreaking Fast-Track Authorization to Operate, a development of the existing risk management framework that revolutionized authorization protocols. This paradigm allows authorization officers to green-light based on rigorous evaluation encompassing cybersecurity baselines, threat and risk assessments and continuous monitoring strategies. Drawing upon her extensive, cross-domain experience, Jones-Heath emphasized that cybersecurity organizations should develop and foster an agile policy framework - one that adeptly navigates the ever-evolving threat landscape and expansive attack vectors.
"As the U.S. Air Force transitions from traditional warfare to the modern-day cyber warfare, precision in technology deployment is of top importance. The CISO's office in the Department of Air Force places the utmost importance on automating big data platforms to model adversary behavior, facilitating seamless data integration across platforms, and expediting the decision-making process," Jones-Heath said.
In this exclusive video interview with ISMG, Jones-Heath also discussed:
- Importance of having a policy framework to prevent and mitigate cyberthreats;
- Why possessing the right talent and skills is crucial in the cyber domain;
- Acquiring the necessary expertise before deploying new technologies such as cloud and AI.
At DAF, Dr. Jones-Heath synchronizes, coordinates and oversees the implementation of the cyber strategy and advises the Secretary of the Air Force on all cyber programs. Dr. Jones-Heath previously served as the CISO for the U.S. Air Force and advised the CIO on cybersecurity policy, cybersecurity programs and cyber force development.
