- with readers working within the Insurance industries
Joseph M. Tonon, Ph.D. has been named the next Director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). Undersecretary of War for Intelligence and Security, the Honorable Bradley Hansell, announced the appointment on May 06, 2026. This appointment relieves the former Acting Director of DCSA, Justin Overbaugh, who had been serving in the position since November 2025, when full-time Director David Cattler stepped down.
As Director of DCSA, Dr. Tonon will focus on advancing the nation’s national security objectives through leading personnel vetting and industrial security for critical government-related programs at over 10,000 companies and more than 12,500 facilities that participate in the National Industrial Security Program (NISP).
Dr. Tonon brings extensive past private-sector and government experience to the agency, including his tenure at Amazon Web Services, where he was a member of the Global Defense team. He was previously the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict and the Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
DCSA is the federal government’s largest security agency responsible for personnel vetting, industrial security, and counterintelligence support activities. The agency administers the NISP on behalf of the Department of War.
Buchanan’s team of National Security attorneys possesses extensive experience in advising on compliance with DCSA objectives and is well-prepared to assist clients in navigating those issues. Our eBook, Navigating the Law: The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) and Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) Handbook, outlines DCSA’s process for granting security clearances, including mitigation requirements for foreign-owned, controlled, and influenced entities. It also details prohibited activities and describes the various processes employed by DCSA to safeguard national security.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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