The Department of the Air Force has named Dr. Keith Hardiman as Deputy Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force within the Office of the CIO, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.

In this role, Hardiman will support the CIO in overseeing Enterprise Information Technology, Data and Artificial Intelligence, Business Systems, and Cybersecurity. He will help lead the Department’s IT investment strategy across networks, cloud computing, enterprise policy, digital transformation, data management, and information assurance, while also supporting compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

Hardiman assumes the role permanently after serving as acting Deputy CIO since July 2025, during which he led IT, cybersecurity, data, and AI initiatives across the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.

A member of the Senior Executive Service, he joined the Department of the Air Force’s Pentagon staff in 2020 and has held several IT leadership roles, including acting director of enterprise IT within the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. He previously served with the 72nd Air Base Wing’s Communications Directorate at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

“Since July 2025, Dr. Hardiman has been serving as the acting Deputy CIO, and let’s just say, he has not only filled the role — he has excelled. Under his leadership, our team has navigated complex challenges, propelled innovation, and fostered collaboration at every level,” the Department of the Air Force Chief Information Officer said in a LinkedIn post.