HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Cyber and Networks officials met with their newly appointed honorary director Jason Snyder, Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security, June 23.
The meeting focused on opportunities to strengthen partnerships and provided Snyder with an overview of the directorate’s mission and key programs supporting the Department of the Air Force’s cyber, enterprise information technology and network modernization efforts.
“Our focus is enabling the warfighter,” said Brig. Gen. Joshua Williams, program executive officer for Cyber and Networks. “It’s about accelerating capability delivery, providing resilient and secure network architecture, and ensuring operators have the tools they need to proactively defend our systems.”
The leaders discussed the directorate’s role in delivering enterprise information technology services, identity and access management, cloud computing capabilities, cryptographic modernization and offensive and defensive cyber operations.
They also highlighted the importance of maintaining secure and resilient networks across the DAF while also supporting a workforce of approximately 2,400 personnel located across multiple installations.
Throughout the discussion, Williams and Snyder emphasized the value of collaboration between federal and state organizations, particularly as both face similar challenges related to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, modernization and workforce development.
“I do see opportunities for sharing information,” said Snyder, who oversees information technology operations across Massachusetts state government. “We share a lot of common goals, and whatever we can do to work together, I’m all for. I’m just very excited to be here.”
Snyder shared how Massachusetts has strengthened cyber defenses through employee education, executive-level tabletop exercises and investments in technology modernization.
“Cybersecurity is one of those areas where people often don’t fully appreciate the dependency until it’s not there,” said Snyder.
Williams and Snyder also exchanged perspectives on emerging technologies, including cloud services, data management and preparations for future quantum computing impacts on cybersecurity.
The Honorary Commander and Director Program is designed to foster greater understanding between military organizations and community leaders by creating opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and shared learning.
As the honorary director, Snyder will participate in quarterly engagements with Cyber and Networks leadership, attend civic and community events, and provide insights based on his extensive experience leading large-scale technology organizations.
Williams said Snyder’s background makes him uniquely suited to support the organization’s mission.
“Given your background as a chief technology officer and your current role with the Commonwealth, we couldn’t have found a better partner,” he said. “There’s a strong connection between what the state is doing and what we do for our nation. I’m looking forward to learning from each other and continuing to build that partnership.”
Snyder previously served as chief technology officer at Harvard University and has more than 30 years of experience in government, higher education and the private sector.
Future engagements are expected to focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, enterprise technology modernization and other priorities shared by both the DAF and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.