Navy appoints deputy under secretary for intelligence and security

John Cremins has been appointed Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Intelligence and Security, a senior civilian role that supports the Secretary and Under Secretary in guiding policy and oversight for the Department of the Navy’s intelligence, counterintelligence, and security missions. The move was made at the direction of Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, according to the department.

The Deputy Under Secretary for Intelligence and Security (DUSN I&S) helps set and enforce department-wide standards for protecting classified information and critical technologies, managing insider-threat and industrial security programs, and aligning security policy across the Navy and Marine Corps. The office also coordinates with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security and other national security organizations to ensure the sea services’ efforts are integrated with broader Defense Department and intelligence community priorities.

Cremins’ appointment comes as the Navy and Marine Corps continue to harden networks, safeguard supply chains, and counter espionage amid intensifying strategic competition and accelerating technological change. In recent years, the services have faced heightened scrutiny on cybersecurity and information protection as they field new platforms and expand data-driven operations.

Within the department, the DUSN I&S role complements the work of the uniformed Director of Naval Intelligence and collaborates closely with organizations such as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Office of Naval Intelligence, Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, and the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity to synchronize security, intelligence, and law-enforcement activities.