CISA acting director moved to new DHS role

"Gottumukkala has recently been the subject of several unflattering Politico reports, including one describing a failed counterintelligence polygraph exam, another noting that he uploaded sensitive files into ChatGPT and a third describing how he was involved in an initial reassignment order for CISA Chief Information Officer Bob Costello in January."

"The new roles come as CISA has lost much of its workforce to a slew of efforts the Trump administration undertook in the last year to reduce purported government bloat and spending waste. Former officials and other observers have pushed back on some of those cuts."

"The cyberdefense agency still does not have a permanent director. The Trump administration renominated Sean Plankey for that role earlier this year after his initial nomination lapsed at the close of 2025."

Madhu Gottumukkala, acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, is transitioning to a new position as director of strategic implementation at the Department of Homeland Security. Nick Andersen, previously executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA, will assume the acting director role. Gottumukkala's departure follows multiple reports detailing controversial incidents during his tenure, including a failed counterintelligence polygraph exam, uploading sensitive files to ChatGPT, and involvement in reassignment orders for CISA's Chief Information Officer. CISA continues operating without a permanent director while facing significant workforce reductions from Trump administration cost-cutting initiatives. Sean Plankey has been renominated for the permanent director position.

Read at Nextgov.com