IonQ Bolsters Leadership with Key Defense Security Hire

In a strategic move to deepen its ties to the national security sector, quantum computing firm IonQ has appointed a former senior Pentagon official to a key executive role. Katie Arrington, who most recently served as the acting Chief Technology Officer for the U.S. Department of Defense, will assume the position of Chief Information Officer starting January 19.

The company announced on Wednesday that Arrington will report directly to Chief Operating Officer and CFO Inder Singh. Her responsibilities will include overseeing the modernization and protection of IonQ's global IT infrastructure, as well as securing its digital assets.

Arrington's career provides a blueprint for cybersecurity expertise within the defense establishment. During her tenure at the Pentagon, she advised on enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. Prior to that, as Chief Information Security Officer for Acquisition and Sustainment, she was instrumental in developing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), a framework that is now a standard requirement for defense contractors.

Concurrently, IonQ promoted Leslie Kershaw to the newly created role of Chief Information Security Officer. Kershaw brings nearly twenty years of cyber leadership experience, including a prior role as Cyber Technical Director for the U.S. Space Force. She will report to Arrington.

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Aligning Quantum Capability with Defense Priorities

These appointments are a deliberate part of IonQ's strategy. Company CEO Niccolo de Masi has described quantum computing as one of the "most consequential technologies for the future of national defense." Arrington's specific expertise in preparing for post-quantum cryptography—the practice of securing systems against potential future attacks from quantum computers—aligns directly with IonQ's technological roadmap.

For months, IonQ has been strengthening its connections to the public sector, including through collaborations with the U.S. Department of Energy. By bringing Arrington on board, the company gains an executive with firsthand knowledge of Washington D.C.'s procurement requirements and decision-making processes.

Market Reaction and Financial Outlook

Shares of IonQ closed Thursday's trading session down nearly 4% at $48.87. Investors are now looking ahead to the company's fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report, scheduled for release in February, which will provide an update on whether its growth trajectory is meeting expectations. Market analysts project a significant increase in revenues for the 2026 fiscal year.