Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton welcomes attendees to AFCEA’s TechNet Augusta 2022. Stanton has been nominated to serve as the head of DISA and JFHQ-DODIN.

Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton welcomes attendees to AFCEA’s TechNet Augusta 2022. Stanton has been nominated to serve as the head of DISA and JFHQ-DODIN. Capt. Rebecca Harr/U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence

Biden nominates a new director for the Defense Information Systems Agency

Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton, who currently leads the Army’s Cyber Center of Excellence, has been picked to replace Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner.

The Pentagon announced on Friday that President Joe Biden nominated Maj. Gen. Paul Stanton to serve as the next director of the Defense Information Systems Agency and commander of the Joint Force Headquarters-Department of Defense Information Network, or JFHQ-DODIN. 

Stanton has helmed the Army’s Cyber Center of Excellence since June 2021, where he has worked to harden the branch’s electronic warfare capabilities and modernize its cyber operations doctrine. He previously served in roles across U.S. Cyber Command — the Army’s cyber branch. 

Stanton would replace Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Skinner in the dual-hat role. Skinner has served as DISA’s director and JFHQ-DODIN’s commander since February 2021.

If confirmed, Stanton will oversee the agency’s ongoing effort to transform and modernize the Pentagon’s information networks and better position personnel to meet cyber and IT challenges posed by global adversaries. JFHQ-DODIN also launched a cyber operational readiness assessment program in March to help strengthen the cyber resilience of DOD’s information network, which Skinner called “a vital aspect” of its security posture.  

In addition to the new leadership role, Stanton would be promoted to lieutenant general if he is confirmed.