Montana National Guard appoints first Cyber Warfare Officer to defend critical infrastructure

The Montana National Guard appointed its first-ever Cyber Warfare Officer on Feb. 23, 2026, a move officials framed as part of a broader push to strengthen defenses against cyberattacks on governments, schools, utilities and critical infrastructure across the state. The new post is the Guard's initial dedicated cyber role and was announced by Guard and state leaders as a statewide security effort.

Guard and state leaders described the appointment as a coordinated step to protect public institutions, naming governments, school systems, utility providers and other critical infrastructure among the priority targets. Those sectors include county government offices and school districts in Lewis and Clark County, where county IT staff and municipal service providers have been monitoring rising cyber threats in recent years.

The creation of a Cyber Warfare Officer position follows increased concern about ransomware and network intrusions that can disrupt public services. Montana National Guard officials and state leaders said the role will contribute to a multi-agency defense posture designed to reduce vulnerability for local governments, K-12 schools and utility operators that manage water, power and communications systems.

While the Guard did not provide personnel names or specific operational protocols in the initial announcement, the appointment establishes an institutional point of contact within the Guard focused on cyber defense. State leaders framed the role as one element of broader resilience efforts that could involve coordination with state agencies, county emergency management and infrastructure operators to prioritize responses to cyber incidents.

The Feb. 23 appointment signals a shift in Montana's approach to cyber threats, embedding a dedicated cyber function inside the Montana National Guard for the first time. As the Guard and state leaders move forward with implementation, officials said the initiative is intended to strengthen protections for the public services that Lewis and Clark County residents rely on daily.