Lt Col Molly Schmidt
Deputy CISO and Deputy Director of Cyber Operations and SupportLieutenant Colonel Molly Schmidt serves as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer and Deputy Director of Cyber Operations and Support within the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Program Executive Office (PEO) for Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management (C3BM).
In this capacity, Lt Col Schmidt supports architects, engineers, and data scientists building the technical integrity and security of the DAF BATTLE NETWORK. This critical integrated system-of-systems connects sensors, effectors, and logistics, enabling enhanced situational awareness, accelerated operational decision-making, and improved direction to the force. The DAF BATTLE NETWORK will deliver the necessary resilient decision advantage for USAF, USSF, Joint, and Coalition forces in response to strategic challenges.
In addition to her role within the PEO, Lt Col Schmidt is also member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a cyber operations officer, she brings significant expertise in supporting enterprise IT systems for the Department of the Air Force. Her prior experience includes serving as the 42d Communications Squadron Commander (Maxwell AFB) and the Director of Operations for the 561st Network Operations Squadron.
Lt Col Schmidt holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, a master’s degree in military operational art and science, and is currently pursuing a PhD in management science. She is an Associated Certified Coach (ACC) and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).