The Pentagon is establishing an office for the assistant secretary for cyber policy - Security issues.

The U.S. government has announced the establishment of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy. The Department of Defense has announced the creation of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy (ASD(CP)), as mandated in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. ASD(CP) will guide the Department of Defense's policy regarding cyber operations, reporting to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)).

"By establishing this office, the Department of Defense is drawing Congress's attention to cyber issues," said Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Policy, Sasha Baker.

As the head of ASD(CP) until the Senate confirms the presidential nominee, Ms. Ashley Manning has been appointed to a mid-level leadership position. The President has nominated Michael Salmayer, the Chief Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of the Army, for the position of Assistant Secretary of State for Cyber Policy.

ASD(CP) reports to the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and USD(P) on all matters related to cyber activities aimed at supporting or fulfilling the tasks of the Department of Defense, including but not limited to: the development, coordination, assessment, and oversight of the implementation of Department of Defense policy in cyberspace to achieve overall national security objectives, the oversight and certification of the Department's cyberspace operations budget, including financial control over $3 billion allocated for the annual functioning of U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) through the new "Unique Budget Control" program (Budget authority as recently approved by the Budget Act for the 2024 fiscal year of the Department of Defense), monitoring programs and activities related to the development, recruitment, and retention of personnel in cyberspace, integrating cyberspace operations and capabilities into operational and countermeasure plans, shaping the Department of Defense's policy directions in the area of engagement, involvement, and agreements with the private sector, leading the implementation of national policies in cyberspace, and directing and overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of cyberspace activities to ensure the security of cooperation.

The management has the authority, direction, and control over the appointed official deputy of the Chief Cyber Advisor in the scope of their duties.