CISA acting director moved to new DHS role

Madhu Gottumukkala, acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, testifies during the DHS oversight hearing in the Cannon House office building on January 21, 2026 Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency acting director Madhu Gottumukkala is expected to depart the agency for a new role amid news of several leadership shakeups and incidents during his tenure, a DHS official confirmed to Nextgov/FCW. 

Gottumukkala will now serve as director of strategic implementation at DHS, which houses the cyberdefense agency. Nick Andersen, who has served as the executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA, will now be the agency’s acting director, added the official.

The DHS official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the new roles. Andersen did not immediately return a request for comment. ABC News first reported on the personnel moves.

Gottumukkala has recently been the subject of several unflattering Politico ...