Topic: Cybersecurity & Government

From the Spring 2026 Issue

Stewards of Mission Risk: The Evolving Role of the Authorizing Officials (AO)

Author(s):

Bobbie Stempfley, Vice President | Dell Technologies , Former CIO, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)

Dr. Ray A. Letteer, DSc, Former Director of Operations Risk Assessment, Office of the DoD Chief Information Officer, Former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Authorizing Official (AO), United States Marine Corps

Henry J. Sienkiewicz, Adjunct Faculty | Georgetown and George Washington Universities, Former CIO, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)

Introduction In a harsh misrepresentation, organizational Authorizing Officials (AO) are often thought of as an obstacle or simply a bureaucratic signature – a roadblock to progress. Reality intrudes. Reality should intrude. The