Charleen Laughlin
Cybersecurity Visionary
Charleen Laughlin directs the Space Force’s cyber and data portfolio, providing senior leadership across cybersecurity, communications, information technology, data and artificial intelligence. As deputy chief of space operations for cyber and data, she helps ensure Guardians can protect and use the digital systems underpinning space missions. At Space Systems Command’s 2026 Cyber Expo, Laughlin emphasized cyber readiness as a requirement for operating at the speed of space. Her role connects enterprise technology decisions with operational needs, from securing networks and sharing data to preparing the service for threats to increasingly contested space systems.