CISA Leadership Shakeup Amid DHS Shutdown

US Cyber Defense Agency Switches Acting Director Amid Shutdown Turmoil Chris Riotta (@chrisriotta) • February 27, 2026

The U.S. cyber defense agency is going through a major leadership shakeup - again - following months of staffing turnover, budget cuts and shutdowns that close observers say have hampered federal defenders' ability to protect government systems and critical infrastructure.

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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency confirmed multiple leadership changes in a Friday statement. Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala is moving into a senior strategy role at the Department of Homeland Security, of which CISA is a component.

CISA's Cybersecurity Executive Assistant Director Nick Anderson will now serve as the agency's new acting chief while the White House awaits Senate confirmation of its nominee to permanently lead the agency.

Gottumukkala "has done a remarkable job in a thankless task of helping reform CISA back ...