Alexandria, VA -- ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Department of the Air Force members responsible for the security and risk of information systems and operations convened on Feb. 4, 2025, for the Fiscal Year 2025 Second Quarter Authorizing Officials Summit at the Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia.
Attended by approximately 32 members, the Fiscal Year 2025 Authorizing Officials Summit covered upcoming changes for authorizing officials, education on new topics and solutions, and a prioritized action items list.
"The quarterly Authorizing Official Summits are a pivotal forum where senior leaders from across the Air Force and Space Force converge to share insights, discuss risks, and fortify our cyber posture. These summits are not merely meetings; they are platforms for building a unified vision and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration,” said James “Aaron” Bishop, DAF Chief Information Security Officer.
“Each session strengthens our collective resilience, sharpens our readiness, and enhances the interoperability of our IT systems. We drive innovation, tackle emerging threats, and ensure the integrity of our missions in an increasingly complex digital landscape," Bishop said.
During the Action Officer Summit, Bishop ensured action officers from across the Department and the Office of the Chief Information Office worked together on enterprise-wide perspectives regarding cybersecurity policy development, oversight and implementation.
Authorizing officials are critical decision makers responsible for assessing and authorizing the operation of IT systems within their designated boundaries. A boundary refers to a specific grouping of similar systems, such as weapons, aircraft, and force protection systems. Authorizing officials make decisions based on the security posture and associated risks to mission requirements.
Pearl Mundt, Air Force Office of Special Investigation executive director, serves as an authorizing official and attended the fiscal year 2025 First Quarter Summit in October 2024.
“Authorizing Officials have played a vital role in effective risk management and prompt system authorization, enabling Air Force Office of Special Investigations to support its unique missions. The Department of the Air Force Authorizing Officials Summits have been a key enabler, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among authorizing officials across the department,” said Mundt.
These topics underscored the importance of teamwork and ongoing enhancement of cybersecurity, ensuring the DAF remains resilient and prepared to tackle emerging threats in an increasingly complex digital landscape.