Air Force Leaders Discuss Zero Trust Progress, ICAM for Financial Systems

Lauren Knausenberger, the Department of the Air Force’s chief information officer, spoke at a Billington Cybersecurity event about the service’s progress on zero trust implementation and future plans. She said that she expects “to have a central image employing our zero trust end point solution” and complementary automation before she vacates the CIO position in June.

Knausenberger, a 2023 Wash100 winner and a speaker at a past Potomac Officers Club event, said that she also wants to institute a “device for life” program that allows users to retain devices through duty reassignments.

She also highlighted a potential pilot run for an identity, credential and access management solution to secure DAF’s financial systems. The ICAM system was prioritized following Department of Defense guidance calling for a separation of duties for certain protocols that offer transparency into the agency’s funding management.

According to Air Force Chief Technology Officer Jay Bonci, another past POC speaker, the rollout could serve as a foundation for future zero trust efforts within DAF due to similarities in how such systems are implemented, Federal News Network reported Friday.