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Former DOD CIO Katie Arrington Takes New Commercial Market Role

Arrington is quantum platform company IonQ's new CIO.

Katie Arrington, currently performing the duties of the DOD CIO, addresses the audience at TechNet Cyber 2025. Credit: Laurie DeWitt, Pure Light Images

Katie Arrington, who performed the duties of U.S. Department of Defense chief information officer (DOD CIO) from March to December 2025, has been named the new CIO of IonQ, a leading quantum platform company.

Beginning January 19, Arrington will oversee the protection and modernization of IonQ’s global enterprise systems, safeguard supply chains and strengthen the company’s cybersecurity and operational resilience, according to IonQ’s press release.

“Quantum computing is one of the most consequential technologies shaping the future of national defense, economic competitiveness and global security,” said IonQ Chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi. “Katie has spent her entire career as a passionate advocate to ensure the United States maintains its technological edge—from strengthening the industrial base to protecting critical systems and capabilities across the Department of War. Her passion for defending the nation and advancing the kind of breakthrough innovation that quantum computing represents will help accelerate IonQ’s growth and impact.”

One of Arrington’s initiatives as DOD CIO was the Software Fast Track (SWFT) program, which allows the Pentagon to replace legacy authority to operate and risk management framework processes with artificial intelligence when buying new software. The program was officially implemented June 1, 2025.

Arrington was also part of the team that created Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, which is now a federalized framework that helps standardize and enforce strong cybersecurity across the defense industrial base.

Leslie Kershaw, who currently works for IonQ Capella, will report to Arrington as the chief information security officer, IonQ said.

Arrington expressed her gratitude for her previous position and excitement for her new role via LinkedIn video on Wednesday.

“I’ll continue to work for our national security,” Arrington said. “That’s where my heart lives, making sure we maintain the bleeding edge and the competitive advantage over our adversaries globally.”