The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) is currently undergoing significant changes with the new Trump Administration, resulting in the termination of around 300 people’s contracts and major funding cuts for cybersecurity projects within the agency.
The changes within CISA have caused turmoil and uncertainty among its employees. Christopher Chenoweth, a Senior Pentester at CISA, recently revealed on his LinkedIn account that the government contract he supported with CISA was terminated at the end of February. Shortly after, another CISA red team contract was also terminated, impacting over 100 workers. The cuts escalated after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, decided to cut the entire red team and all support roles, leading many experienced red team operators to seek new opportunities.
These layoffs occurred shortly after DOGE requested the firing of 130 probationary CISA workers in February. DOGE was established by President Trump to reduce federal spending and eliminate excessive regulations, operating under the US DOGE Service (USDS) as a temporary contracted entity.
Despite reports of layoffs, a CISA spokesperson denied any employee terminations, attributing the changes to “contracting issues.” The spokesperson emphasized that CISA’s red team remains fully operational, striving to fulfill its mission regardless of the ongoing transitions.
In addition to the layoffs, CISA terminated a $10m partnership with the Center for Internet Security (CIS), affecting the operation of two cyber-threat information-sharing hubs. The termination of funding for the ISACs was explained as a strategic decision to align CISA’s work with the new administration’s priorities, saving taxpayers money and eliminating redundancies.
Amidst these changes, President Trump nominated Sean Plankey to head CISA. Plankey, a seasoned cybersecurity professional with experience in various roles within the cybersecurity field, including US Cyber Command and Chief Information Officer for the US Navy, is set to bring his expertise and leadership to CISA pending approval from the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
Overall, the reorganization within CISA under the Trump Administration has sparked debate and concern regarding the future of cybersecurity initiatives and the agency’s ability to effectively address evolving threats. The termination of contracts and partnerships, alongside the nomination of a new director, reflects a shift in priorities and strategy within CISA as it navigates through this period of change.