Christopher Barnhurst, deputy director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, has emphasized the need for readiness, agility and strong partnerships within an increasingly contested cyber domain.
DISA said Friday Barnhurst set the tone for his keynote address at the AFCEA TechNet Cyber 2025 by quoting Mike Tyson: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
DISA’s Top Priorities
The DISA executive’s message underscored the agency’s focus on unity and momentum, which aligns with DISA Director Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton’s four priorities: readiness, campaigning, continuous modernization and establishing lethality.
The agency intends to promote readiness by empowering its workforce with career development initiatives while fostering collaboration with partners. DISA will also focus on campaigning by integrating the agency’s field commands and offices to gather vital insight into operational priorities to determine acquisition and program planning efforts.
Another priority is to facilitate modernization by replacing legacy systems with modern technologies while reducing expenditures and risks. Finally, the agency will work to establish lethality by strengthening its infrastructure to support major defense operations, from border security to ballistic missile defense.
Championing Industry Partnership
Barnhurst emphasized the significance of industry partners in DISA’s operational success. “One of the first things Lt. Gen. Stanton would say is, if you contract with DISA, you’re on the team. It’s a partnership,” he said.
The deputy director mentioned the Thunderdome program as a prime example, with various partners contributing technologies and services to build the integrated zero trust architecture. He further stressed that DISA is one of 45 Department of Defense Information Network, or DODIN, areas of operation, representing “a potential vector of attack for an adversary.” This reinforces the department’s “one team, one fight” mentality.
The Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Cyber Summit brings cyber experts and government contracting leaders together to discuss emerging cyber threats, policies, initiatives and modernization strategies.
