Pentagon CISO Accused Of Leaking Classified Intel

Katie Arrington, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Pentagon’s  Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD)  is being investigated by the Department of Defense. 

The top Pentagon official, who has been overseeing its new cyber security initiative, has been placed on indefinite leave following allegations that she disclosed classified information from a military intelligence agency without authorisation.

Arrington, a former South Carolina congressional candidate who went on to work for the Pentagon, was first placed on leave in May 2021. The US government has given no details of the allegations against her 

The National Security Agency, which is part of the Defense Department, gathers some of the nation’s most sensitive signals and eaves-dropping intelligence from foreign adversaries, mostly via satellite. "If this preliminary decision becomes final, you will not be eligible for access to classified information" or "assignments to duties that have been designated national security sensitive," a memo sent to Arrington from the OUSD said, according to Bloomberg.

Arrington's role included dealing with the cyber security requirements for the 300,000 companies that do business with the Pentagon.

According to her biography on the OUSD website, Arrington is the "central hub and integrator" in her post which requires her to "align acquisition and sustainment cyber strategy." It said she was also key to "efforts to enhance cyber security within the Defense Industrial Base." 

Her biography describes her as a mother of three and a grandmother of four who had "an extensive career as a legislator and senior cyber executive in private industry."  This included over 15 years of cyber experience from her positions at Booz Allen Hamilton and Dispersive Networks.

Former US Air Force officer and cyber security specialist has John Gartska taken up Arrington's post in an acting role.

Bloomberg:      Newsweek:       The Hill:      Nation:        CountOn2:     Post&Courier: 

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