TechNet Cyber 2026

Kristy Leasman
Cybersecurity Division Chief, Hosting and Compute
Defense Information Systems Agency


Kristy Leasman serves as the Chief of the Cybersecurity Division within the Defense Information Systems Agency’s Hosting and Compute Directorate (J-9). She oversees cybersecurity mandates, leads a team of analysts and administrators, coordinates security measures, develops mitigation strategies against cyber threats, and resolves critical security issues for DISA's hybrid hosting and compute portfolio. HaC leverages industry best practices to unify hosting and compute platforms, expand customer options, and deliver global hybrid cloud solutions to the warfighter. Prior to her current role, Leasman served as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, holding dual roles as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the Director of Staff, Air Force Installation Mission Support Center, and as Military Assistant, Service Operations Division, DISA. As IMA to the AFIMSC Director of Staff, she implemented command guidance for 3,467 globally dispersed personnel responsible for installation and mission support at 77 Air Force installations, nine major commands, and two direct reporting units, managing an annual budget of approximately $10 billion. In this capacity, she advised the AFIMSC Commander, Vice Commander, and Executive Director on center operations, resource allocation, and personnel matters. Concurrently, as Military Assistant to the DISA Service Operations Division, she supported the leadership of a global organization of military, civilian, and contractor personnel responsible for planning, developing, delivering, and operating joint, interoperable command and control capabilities and global enterprise infrastructure. This support directly benefited the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, combatant commanders, Department of War components, and other mission partners. Her responsibilities included 24/7 oversight of Security and Network Operations Watch Officers, ensuring priority service restoration for high-value missions, including continuity of operations, continuity of government, and nuclear command, control, and communications. Leasman's 30-year Air Force career spans active duty, the Texas Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve. Beginning as an E-1 Information Manager, she rose through the ranks to colonel through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Det 842 in San Antonio.

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