Dept. of Air Force’s Dr. Wanda Jones-Heath stresses user involvement in zero-trust efforts

At the 2025 Zero Trust Summit, Dr. Wanda Jones Heath, Principal Cyber Advisor for the Department of the Air Force, discussed the significant technical and operational challenges in achieving a zero-trust environment by 2027. Technical hurdles include the need for substantial investment, manpower, and the integration of various modernization efforts. Operational challenges focus on ensuring a secure environment for warfighters to access data anytime, anywhere, emphasizing the importance of user education, training, and investment in compatible solutions. Dr. Jones-Heath underscored the necessity of involving users in the process and aligning cybersecurity investments with operational needs.