John Garstka

John Garstka is the Director for Cyber within the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

In his position, Garstka oversees the development and acquisition of capabilities for cyberspace operations and the oversight of Department of Defense Cyber Security efforts for Weapon Systems and Critical Infrastructure.

Garstka has an extensive background in systems engineering, mission analysis, cyber risk assessment, and capability development for space, communications, networking, and cyber capabilities. His experience includes material solution analysis for space surveillance systems, communications satellites, unmanned aerial systems communications, airborne networking, cyber ranges, and capabilities for cyber situational awareness. He has written and spoken extensively on the topics of network-centric warfare, warfighting innovation, and defense transformation.

Garstka began his career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was commissioned in 1983 after graduating as a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a BS in Mathematics. He served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for 10 years and in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for 15 years. He received his Master of Science degree in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University in 1985.