Dr. Ray A. Letteer, former Director of Operations Risk Assessment at the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of the Chief Information Officer and as the head of U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Cybersecurity, has over 40 years of extensive experience in information system security, information assurance, and cybersecurity. Recognized as one of the most experienced cybersecurity leaders in the DoD, he was assigned the role of the appointed Approving Official (AO) for all Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) networks and systems.
From the Spring 2026 Issue
Cybersecurity & Government
Stewards of Mission Risk: The Evolving Role of the Authorizing Officials (AO)
Author(s):
Bobbie Stempfley, ,
Dr. Ray A. Letteer, DSc, Former Director, Operations Risk Assessment, Office of the DoD Chief Information Officer Former CISO/Authorizing Official (AO), United States Marine Corps
Henry J. Sienkiewicz, Adjunct Faculty, Former CIO, DISA, Georgetown and George Washington Universities
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 reality is that … Read more
