President Donald Trump nominated Kirsten Davies, a private sector veteran, to serve as the Pentagon’s chief information officer. Davies has extensive experience in cybersecurity roles at companies such as Unilever, Estée Lauder, and Barclays Africa. The CIO position, restored to a Senate-confirmable role in 2019, has been vacant since June 2024, with the Pentagon relying on an acting CIO. If confirmed, Davies would bring a wealth of private sector experience to the position, particularly in cybersecurity leadership.
Davies previously served as the chief information security officer at Unilever and Estée Lauder, overseeing major cybersecurity initiatives. Before these roles, she worked at Barclays Africa, now ABSA, as the managing director and group chief security officer. Additionally, Davies has held key cyber roles at Hewlett Packard, Siemens, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Deloitte Australia. Her career in cybersecurity has been complemented by strong academic credentials, including a degree in International Politics and Government from the University of Puget Sound.
The Pentagon’s CIO position had been vacant since June 2024, with Katie Arrington filling the role in an acting capacity. Arrington had previously served as the chief information security officer (CISO) at the Pentagon’s acquisition and sustainment office. In February 2025, she returned to the department and played a pivotal role in advancing cybersecurity efforts. This included approving the Under the Software Fast Track (SWIFT) program, which aims to modernize the Pentagon’s software procurement process.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has emphasized the need for faster software procurement to keep up with technological advancements. He issued a memo in March 2025 encouraging the Pentagon to utilize innovative acquisition methods for faster delivery of digital capabilities. This initiative reflects the Pentagon’s ongoing push to modernize its cybersecurity and software infrastructure to meet current and future needs.
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