Northrop Grumman's Jennifer Walsmith, Corporate Vice President of Cyber & Information Solutions, is one of only two women among 25 men in the Washington Exec's 2022 Cyber Execs to Watch list.
Washington Exec’s Top Cyber Execs to Watch in 2022 list highlights executives in both government and industry consistently staying one step ahead of adversaries, equipped with the technical know-how to safeguard systems and information. They have achieved significant milestones and goals with the support of strong leadership, teams and processes, and they possess the know-how to navigate the complexities of the cyber threat landscape.
An expansive career in cyber and intelligence mission solutions
For over 35 years, Jennifer has retained her position as a mainstay in the intelligence industry as a leading expert in cyber and intelligence mission solutions.
Jennifer spent 15 years specializing in offensive and defensive cyber at the National Security Agency (NSA), where she was a key player in the U.S. Comprehensive National Cyber Initiative. She also served in Senior Advisory roles to the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics; Senior Integration Group; and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Acquisition Council — all while serving as the Senior Acquisition Executive.
For significant achievements on behalf of NSA and the intelligence community, Jennifer was recognized with the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive and Distinguished Executive, the highest awards bestowed on members of the government’s senior executive service.
Jennifer's exciting role with Northrop Grumman
Today, Jennifer serves as Northrop Grumman’s Executive Lead for University Relations with the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus, and serves as a Board Member of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance.
At Northrop Grumman, Jennifer is tasked with growing the cyber and intelligence mission solutions business portfolio, where she uses her expertise in business management, cybersecurity and information solutions to help oversee over 2,000 employees who produce innovative solutions to help advance defense systems.
She leads a dynamic and diverse team that delivers full-spectrum cyber, multiple-intelligence enterprise data integration, and mission-enabling intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions.
Her leadership role helps support the Department of Defense and the intelligence community across all domains: ground, space, sea, air and cyber.
Why Jennifer is a Top Cyber Exec to Watch
In 2022, Jennifer and her team within Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems sector will forge new capabilities that will assist the government in "preventing, deterring, de-escalating" to maintain peace and build nonkinetic capabilities to “disrupt, deny, degrade” on the road to the Joint All Domain Command and Control vision. Her core focus will be to pioneer new capabilities that converge the silos of capabilities into a unified approach for the ongoing non-kinetic cyber conflict.
“Cyber and the network in which we operate is defining our way of life and will have a profound effect on our nation,” says Jennifer.
“Cyber is a team sport. I am very fortunate to have been part of history and look forward to being part of its future,” she adds.
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