Dry dismissal of CISA's leader: Implications of leadership void on the private industry sector
The Cyberspace Solarium Commission's 2020 report has proposed a bold vision for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), suggesting that it should become so appealing to young professionals that it competes with organizations like the NSA, FBI, Google, and Facebook for top-level talent.
The agency has seen recent changes in leadership, with Brandon Wales taking over as the acting director, following the dismissal of Chris Krebs by President Donald Trump. Krebs, who was confirmed by voice vote in the Senate in 2018, had overseen two secure elections and made significant contributions to protecting U.S. critical infrastructure. His efforts were commended by Sen. Angus King and Director of the U.S. National Security Agency Paul Nakasone, who described the last two elections as "boring" due to the absence of foreign interference.
The federal government struggles with attracting and retaining technology and cyber talent, with the private sector offering larger salaries. There are more than 33,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions in the U.S. government, a challenge that CISA was intended to help address. Bryan Ware, Former Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at CISA, mentioned that the pandemic has opened up the possibility of remote work, which could significantly expand CISA's hiring options.
During the pandemic, CISA has increased its information-sharing structure with the pharmaceutical industry, deploying sensors in pharma networks for threat hunting as part of its work. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact of CISA's leadership turnover on information sharing in the development of COVID-19 vaccinations.
Joe Saunders, CEO of RunSafe Security, stated that the federal government relies on the private sector's participation in cyber deterrence. Chris Krebs, in his tenure, worked closely with the private sector, a collaboration that is crucial in the face of growing cyber threats. The uncertainty around CISA's leadership may impact its relationship with the private sector.
Brandon Wales, executive director of CISA, is taking over Krebs's leadership in an acting capacity. Wales is considered the best person for the job by former Assistant Director for Cybersecurity at CISA, Bryan Ware. The Cyberspace Solarium Commission's inaugural report was finalized by Chris Krebs, Sen. Angus King, and Rep. Mike Gallagher, and it remains to be seen how Wales will continue to implement their recommendations.
As CISA navigates through these changes, it continues to play a vital role in protecting the U.S. from cyber threats, a task that has become more critical than ever in the face of the pandemic and the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure.
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