NSA’s Patrick Ware takes over as top civilian at U.S. Cyber Command

Patrick Ware, a senior executive at the National Security Agency, has been named the new top civilian leader at U.S. Cyber Command.

Ware, a 34-year NSA veteran, replaces Morgan Adamski as the command’s executive director. The No. 3 spot at the military’s digital warfighting organization is traditionally held by an NSA official on loan to Cyber Command. 

Politico first reported that Adamski, who assumed the role last June, intended to leave the command. 

Sources say Adamski, who previously served as the director of the NSA’s Cybersecurity Collaboration Center, is expected to move into the private sector.

Ware comes aboard at a critical time for Cyber Command, which has been without a permanent chief since Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh was abruptly fired nearly three months ago, along with his NSA deputy.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had chosen Army Lt. Gen. Richard Angle to helm the command and the spy agency, but he was rejected by the White House for unknown reasons, according to sources familiar with the matter who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely about the matter.

Meanwhile, a plan to revamp Cyber Command — dubbed “Cyber Command 2.0” — is itself undergoing an overhaul and many observers suspect the effort will eventually be scrapped altogether.

In his new role, Ware will help steer strategic initiatives to advance Cyber Command’s capabilities, talent management and partnerships.

He received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1994 after doing undergraduate work at Auburn University and the University of Maryland, according to his command biography.

He also studied at Johns Hopkins University and received a master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1997, the bio says.