CISA Director, Easterly, to vacate position on Inauguration Day
In a significant development, President-elect Donald Trump has announced his nomination of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. This nomination, made in November 2024, was confirmed as the Secretary of Homeland Security in January 2025.
As Secretary, Noem will oversee the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a critical component of the Department of Homeland Security. CISA, which was established to protect the nation's critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the security of the nation's digital landscape.
Jen Easterly, the current Director of CISA, has announced her resignation and will step down on President-elect Trump's Inauguration Day. Easterly, who was nominated to become director of CISA in April 2021 and confirmed in July 2021, has led the agency through major changes, including the aftermath of the 2020 Sunburst attacks and the May 2021 ransomware attack against Colonial Pipeline. Her immediate plans after leaving CISA are currently unknown.
Brandon Wales, the former executive director at CISA, left the agency in August and was named VP of cyber strategy at SentinelOne in September. Wales served as interim director of CISA after Trump fired Chris Krebs after the 2020 election. The current executive director at CISA is Bridget Bean, making her the highest ranking career official.
There has been considerable speculation about the future of CISA, due to concerns about certain functions potentially being moved to different government agencies. However, the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CISA, continues to maintain its focus on protecting the nation's critical infrastructure.
In a separate development, Sean Cairncross, a cybersecurity expert, has been nominated for the position of National Cyber Director. This role, distinct from the position of Secretary of Homeland Security, involves coordinating cyber policies across federal agencies. Cairncross was advanced by the Senate Homeland Security Committee in June 2025.
With the incoming Biden Administration, all appointees of the Trump Administration will vacate their positions by the time the new administration takes office at noon on Jan. 20. This transition marks a new era for CISA and the broader cybersecurity landscape in the United States.
- As the new Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem is responsible for overseeing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which plays a significant role in ensuring the security of the nation's digital landscape.
- Jen Easterly, the former Director of CISA, stepped down on President-elect Trump's Inauguration Day, following significant changes within the agency, including the aftermath of the 2020 Sunburst attacks and the May 2021 ransomware attack against Colonial Pipeline.
- In a separate development, Sean Cairncross, a cybersecurity expert, has been nominated for the National Cyber Director position, a role distinct from the Secretary of Homeland Security, which involves coordinating cyber policies across federal agencies.
