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Wanda Jones-Heath
Principal Cyber Advisor
United States Air Force
Wanda Jones-Heath is the Principal Cyber Advisor for the Department of the Air Force, comprised of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. As the Principal Cyber Advisor for the Department of the Air Force, Ms. Jones-Heath’s duties include synchronizing, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the DAF Cyber Strategy and advising the Secretary of the Air Force on all cyber programs. She is responsible for overseeing cyberspace recruitment; resourcing and training of cyber mission forces, as well as assessing their readiness; overseeing acquisition; advocate for cyber investments; cybersecurity supply chain risk management; security of information systems and weapon systems.
Prior to current position, she served as the Chief Information Security Officer and advised the Chief Information Officer on cybersecurity policy, cybersecurity programs, and cyber force development. She leads a Directorate comprised of military, civilian, and contractor personnel responsible for developing cybersecurity policy and strategy for over 5,000 Air Force Information Technology systems. She oversees risk management and cybersecurity accountability for information systems, weapon systems, and operational technology supporting military cyberspace operations. Her portfolio includes policy governing the defense industrial base, supply chain risk management, and cybersecurity capabilities. She has oversight for the freedom of information act, privacy act laws, and cryptographic modernization supporting cyber operations.
Since entering civil service, Ms. Jones-Heath has held technical and leadership positions performing cyber operations and cybersecurity duties in Air Force operational communications units from the squadron to the wing level and she has served in headquarters units at the MAJCOM, Agency, and Air Staff level. Her experience includes extensive joint and interagency work along with cross functional assignments with duties such as testing, assessments, lessons learned management, strategy development and other functions in organizations both within and outside of the communications field.
Ms. Jones-Heath graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1990 with a degree in Computer Science. She began her Civil Service career as a Palace Acquire Intern as an Information Systems Specialist in various functional areas. She moved to Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, in 1993. There she held positions responsible for policy and guidance for security and network systems. Prior to arriving at the Headquarters Air Force staff, Ms. Jones-Heath was the Program Manager for Mobility with the Defense Information Systems Agency. Ms. Jones-Heath led the effort to establish a DoD Mobile capability to include infrastructure.
EDUCATION: 1990 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of SC, Columbia, SC 1994 Master of Science in Management, Troy University 2001 Executive Leadership and Development Program 2004 Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces 2006 Defense Leadership and Management Program 2007 Center for Creative Leadership 2008 Chief of Staff Air Force Fellows 2008 Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program-II, OPM 2008 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Kenan-Flagler, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC 2008 Air Force Civilian Strategic Leadership Program 2009 Harvard Senior Executive Fellows, Kennedy School of Government 2009 Program for Executives in Logistics & Technology, Kenan-Flagler, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC 2010 AFSO21 Senior Leadership Course 2011 Capitol Hill Workshop 2014 Critical Infrastructure Protection 2015 Cyberspace Strategy and Policy 2016 Cyber Intelligence 2017 International Perspectives in Cyberspace 2020 Strategic Change & National Priorities, Federal Executive Institute
ASSIGNMENTS 1. May 1990 – Jul 1993, Information Systems Management Specialist (Palace Acquire), Robins AFB, GA 2. Jul 1993 – Dec 1994, Computer Security Manager, HQ Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA 3. Dec 1994 – Jan 1996, Network Program Manager, HQ Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, VA 4. Jan 1996 – Jan 1999, Chief, Theater Systems, United States Air Forces Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany 5. Jan 1999 – May 2000, Chief, Integration and Testing, United States Air Forces Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany 6. May 2000 – Sept 2001, Deputy Commander, 11th Communications Squadron, Bolling AFB, DC 7. Sept 2001- Aug 2003, Chief, Enterprise Division, AF Chief Information Office, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA 8. Aug 2003 – Jun 2004, Student, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Ft. McNair, Washington, DC 9. Jun 2004 – May 2007, Director of Staff, 96th Air Base Wing, Eglin AFB, FL 10. May 2007 – May 2010, Director, Analyses, Assessment, & Lessons Learned, Air Force District of Washington, Andrews AFB, MD 11. May 2010 – May 2012, Director, Net-Centric Operations, Office of Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA 12. May 2012 – May 2014, Program Manager for Mobility, Defense Information Systems Agency, Ft. Meade, MD 13. May 2014 – June 2018, Dep Chief Information Security Officer/Chief, Cybersecurity Division, Office of Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA 14. Jun 2018 – Mar 2019, Acting Chief Information Security Officer, Deputy Chief Information Officer, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA 15. Mar 2019 – July 2021, Chief Information Security Officer, Deputy Chief Information Officer & Acting Principal Cyber Advisor (December 2020 – July 2021), the Pentagon, Arlington, VA 16. August 2021 – Present, Principal Cyber Advisor, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, VA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS FCW Fed100 Award Stars & Stripes STEM Award FedScoop Top 50: Cybersecurity Leader of the Year FedScoop: Best Bosses in Fed Information Technology National Diversity Council: Top 50 Women in Technology AFA General George C. Kenny Award for Lessons Learned Air Force Meritorious and Exemplary Civilian Service Awards E-Government Trailblazer Award
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS Air Force Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Air Force Board for Corrections of Military Records Presidential Management Fellows Program Assessor
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM) Program Management, Level I, Acquisition Professional Development Program Chief Information Officer (CIO) (Current as of August 2021)