Spencer: Navy mulling new assistant secretary position for information management

The Navy is considering a new assistant secretary position that would focus on information management, according to service Secretary Richard Spencer.

"When we look at something like that and we look at the importance of that, we have to balance that with the portfolio of non-management assets and right now, that is what we're exploring," Spencer told the Surface Navy Association's annual symposium on Jan. 16.

The Navy currently has four assistant secretary positions: research, development and acquisition; energy, installations and environment; manpower and reserve affairs; and financial management and comptroller.

Spencer said a potential new assistant secretary for information management would likely be modeled after chief investing officer and chief technology officer roles.

"And when I talk about information management, that ranges from what the traditional job of a chief investing officer and a chief technology officer might be -- which is everything from cloud management to data readiness to data management -- all the way through cybersecurity and data hygiene," he said.

The possibility of a new position focusing on data management and cybersecurity coincides with increased concern over supply chain-level cybersecurity efforts.

The Wall Street Journal last month reported that hackers believed to be associated with China's government infiltrated U.S. Navy contractors.