Michael Sulmeyer tapped for new top Pentagon cyber policy role

President Joe Biden will nominate Michael Sulmeyer to serve as the inaugural assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy, the White House announced Thursday.

The fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act created the position to act as the “overall supervision of policy of the Department of Defense for cyber.” Previously, the top cyber job in the Pentagon was the deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy.

Sulmeyer is currently the principal cyber adviser for the Army. He came there from U.S. Cyber Command where he served as a top adviser to former Cybercom chief Gen. Paul Nakasone. Sulmeyer earlier served as the director for plans and operations for cyber policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Outside of government, he was the Belfer Center’s Cyber Security Project director at the Harvard Kennedy School.

In the new role, Sulmeyer would be responsible for advising the secretary of defense on all cyber matters, including readiness, capabilities and strategy, according to a White House announcement. The Senate must confirm his nomination before he can move into the job.

Much to the chagrin of Congress, DOD had been delaying the office’s creation. It was slated to officially stand up March 18, according to The Record.