Dr. Wanda T. Jones-Heath, a member of the Senior Executive Service, 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 DAF, her 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; advocating for cyber investments; cybersecurity supply chain risk management; and the security of information systems and weapon systems.
Prior to her current position, Dr. Jones-Heath served as the Chief Information Security Officer and advised the Chief Information Officer on cybersecurity policy, cybersecurity programs, and cyber force development. She led 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 oversaw risk management and cybersecurity accountability for information systems, weapon systems, and operational technology supporting military cyberspace operations. Her portfolio included policy governing the defense industrial base, supply chain risk management, and cybersecurity capabilities. She also had oversight for the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act laws, and cryptographic modernization supporting cyber operations.
Since entering civil service, Dr. Jones-Heath has held technical and leadership positions performing cyber operations and cybersecurity duties in communications units from the squadron to the wing level. She has also served in headquarters units at the major command, agency, and Air Staff level. Her experience includes extensive joint and interagency work, along with cross-functional assignments involving testing, assessments, lessons learned management, strategy development, and other operational functions both within and outside of the communications field.
Dr. 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 and Information Systems Specialist across various functional areas. In 1993, she moved to Headquarters Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, where she held positions responsible for policy and guidance for security and network systems.
Prior to arriving at Headquarters Air Force staff, Dr. Jones-Heath served as the Program Manager for Mobility with the Defense Information Systems Agency, where she led the effort to establish a Department of Defense mobile capability, including supporting infrastructure.
