Enable breadcrumbs token at /includes/pageheader.html.twig

New DOD CIO Nominated

The nominee was formerly the CISO of several major companies.

Kirsten Davies speaks at the RSA Conference in 2025. Credit: Davies' LinkedIn profile

President Donald Trump has nominated Kirsten Davies to be the chief information officer of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

The nomination was received on Wednesday in the Senate and was referred to the Armed Services Committee.

Davies is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Cyber, a nonprofit organization with the goal of strengthening the security and privacy of citizens using technology and artificial intelligence daily. She was formerly the chief information security officer (CISO) for Unilever, Estée Lauder, Barclays, Hewlett-Packard and Siemens, according to her LinkedIn profile, which was confirmed to Inside Defense by the DOD.

“To support the rights and responsibilities of people navigating the digital universe, the Institute develops and delivers cutting-edge cybersecurity education, research and policy advocacy based on Fortune 500 best practices, tailored to citizens and their everyday digital experiences,” reads a portion of her job experience listed under Institute for Cyber.

The DOD CIO oversees the department’s information technology—including national security systems and defense business systems—information resources management and efficiencies.

If confirmed, Davies will assume the position from Katie Arrington, who has been performing the duties of chief information officer of the DOD since March. Previously, she served as chief information security officer for acquisition for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

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 launched May 1.

SIGNAL Media reached out to Arrington’s office for comment, but queries were referred to the White House for any statement on Davies' nomination.

Arrington took to LinkedIn to say she is excited about Davies' nomination and that she will continue performing the duties of the CIO until the nomination is confirmed.

"I am proud to be serving at the pleasure of the president as a political appointee, and I know my passion is to work for the taxpayer, and if you know me, you know I will ensure the work gets done," Arrington's post reads.