Ashley DeVoto Takes Helm as Air and Space Force CIO to Drive Cybersecurity and Digital Modernization
The U.S. Department of the Air Force has named Ashley DeVoto as chief information officer for both the Air Force and the Space Force, elevating a technology leader with experience in federal digital modernization and cybersecurity to one of the Pentagon’s most influential IT posts.
According to the report “Ashley DeVoto named as Air Force, Space Force CIO”, published by DefenseScoop, DeVoto will oversee enterprise-wide information technology strategy, cybersecurity policy, and data management across the two services. The dual-hatted role places her at the center of efforts to modernize legacy systems, secure networks against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, and advance the Pentagon’s broader push toward data-driven operations.
DeVoto’s appointment comes at a time when the Department of the Air Force is under pressure to accelerate digital transformation while maintaining operational resilience in contested environments. Leaders have repeatedly emphasized the need to integrate cloud computing, zero-trust architecture, and artificial intelligence into military networks, particularly as near-peer competitors invest heavily in cyber and space capabilities.
In her new role, DeVoto is expected to help align Air Force and Space Force IT priorities, an increasingly important task as the U.S. Space Force continues to mature as a separate service. Ensuring interoperability between air and space systems, as well as with joint and allied partners, is likely to be a key focus area.
The DefenseScoop report noted that the CIO position carries significant responsibility for budgeting and acquisition oversight tied to technology programs. That includes guiding investments in enterprise IT infrastructure and ensuring that modernization initiatives deliver measurable improvements in mission performance.
DeVoto brings to the role a background that spans both government service and broader work in digital transformation. Her experience is seen as particularly relevant as the Department of the Air Force grapples with persistent challenges such as outdated systems, workforce shortages in cyber and IT fields, and the need to rapidly adopt emerging technologies without compromising security.
Her appointment also reflects a broader pattern within the Defense Department of elevating leaders with expertise in software, data, and digital services to senior roles traditionally dominated by acquisition or operations officials. That shift underscores the growing recognition that information superiority is central to military advantage.
As CIO, DeVoto will be tasked not only with modernizing technology but also with driving cultural change across the services. Efforts to expand agile development practices, improve data sharing, and strengthen cybersecurity hygiene will require coordination across a vast and complex organization.
The DefenseScoop article highlights that the Air Force and Space Force have made incremental progress in recent years on cloud adoption and zero-trust implementation, but significant work remains. DeVoto’s leadership will be closely watched as the services attempt to scale those initiatives and translate them into operational gains.
Her tenure begins amid heightened geopolitical tensions and a rapidly evolving threat landscape, conditions that are likely to test the resilience and adaptability of military networks. How effectively the Department of the Air Force can secure and modernize its digital infrastructure will play a critical role in shaping its ability to operate in future conflicts.
