AUGUST 18, 2026 — Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao has appointed M. Barry Tanner as the permanent Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Department of the Navy (DON). In this role, he will serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary and oversee the Department’s $12+ billion Information Technology portfolio, ensuring the Navy and Marine Corps maintain a decisive cognitive and operational advantage over global adversaries.
“To win in a contested maritime environment, our Sailors and Marines must have absolute decision superiority,” said Acting Secretary Cao. “The modern battlefield is defined by data, secure communication, and rapid decision-making. Information is a critical weapon system, and Mr. Tanner’s unparalleled experience, both as a veteran naval officer and a cutting-edge digital leader, makes him the ideal choice to spearhead our digital modernization. He will ensure our Fleet has the lethal, secure, and resilient cyber capabilities needed to defeat any adversary.”
Mr. Tanner is charged with driving the implementation of the Department’s Information Superiority Vision 2.0 and the DON Strategy to Weaponize Data and AI. His primary focus areas will include establishing robust Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure, executing Zero Trust Architecture, securing Cryptographic Modernization, and driving Cyber Readiness. By accelerating these initiatives, Mr. Tanner will deliver optimized, secure, and operationally resilient capabilities that allow the Navy-Marine Corps team to execute mission-critical decisions at tactical speed and scale.
“I am deeply honored to serve the Navy-Marine Corps team as Chief Information Officer,” said Tanner. “In today’s high-end fight, secure, reliable, and instantaneous data delivery is just as critical to our warfighters as any kinetic weapon system. I look forward to working closely with Acting Secretary Cao, Department leaders, and our partners across the industry to accelerate the weaponization of data and AI. Together, we will deliver modern, resilient enterprise services that provide our Sailors and Marines with the digital dominance required to fight and win.”
Prior to his appointment as CIO, Mr. Tanner served as the Deputy CIO, where he evolved the DON’s Operation Cattle Drive, implemented key elements of the Cyber Ready initiative, and managed the delivery of the Navy’s Enterprise Networks. He also previously served as the Director of Operations for the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Digital and Enterprise Services (PEO Digital), where he coordinated over 300 personnel delivering cloud platforms, digital workplaces, and infrastructure at the speed of mission. His extensive private-sector experience includes key leadership roles in digital technology implementation, most recently as a Senior Associate with Booz Allen Hamilton’s Strategic Innovation Group.
In addition to his civilian career, Mr. Tanner served a distinguished 31-year Active and Reserve career as a Naval Officer, attaining the rank of Captain. His military career highlights include serving as a Staff G6 for the Central Corps Advisory Group in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Communications (N6) and Deputy CIO for US Fleet Cyber Command / Tenth Fleet.