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Officials Discuss Keeping Nick Andersen in CISA Acting Director Role

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Summary

With no permanent CISA director nominee in sight, sources say the administration may be seeking ways to keep Nick Andersen in the acting role. Lawmakers and industry figures cited his leadership and the importance of continuity.

Key points

  • Sean Plankey withdrew his nomination in April, and a replacement nominee discussed by DHS in June had not emerged four months later.
  • Sources told CyberScoop the administration may try to retain Andersen by changing his title to “senior official performing the duties of” CISA director.
  • A nominee could pause Andersen’s 210-day limit on serving as acting director, according to Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
  • House Homeland Security Committee leaders from both parties expressed support for Andersen, citing his leadership and the value of stability at CISA.
  • Former DHS CIO John Zangardi said morale had improved under Andersen, while Montgomery said a Senate-confirmed leader could strengthen CISA’s position in interagency and White House processes.
  • CISA recently released a strategy intended to guide the agency through 2030.

Article Details

Event Type
Leadership uncertainty at CISA concerning whether Acting Director Nick Andersen will remain in the role or receive a permanent nomination.
Impact
The absence of a permanent nominee leaves uncertainty about CISA’s leadership and continuity. The article reports support for Andersen from lawmakers and other sources, and John Zangardi said morale had improved under Andersen. No cyber incident or direct technical impact is reported.

People

Andrew GarbarinoChairman of the House Homeland Security Committee; praised Andersen’s leadership and said he would support his nomination.Bennie ThompsonThe House Homeland Security Committee’s top Democrat; praised Andersen’s dedication and expressed concern that leadership changes could destabilize CISA.John ZangardiFormer DHS chief information officer; said CISA had improved under Andersen and credited him with helping raise morale and maintain continuity.Mark MontgomerySenior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation; commented on the acting-director time limit, the nomination process, and CISA’s priorities.Markwayne MullinAs DHS secretary, said in June that a likely replacement nominee had met with the president and was coming soon, according to the article.Nick AndersenCISA’s acting director since February; the article discusses efforts to keep him in the role and support for his leadership.Sean PlankeyWithdrew his nomination for the Senate-confirmed CISA director position in April.

Industries

Critical infrastructureand criminals use AI to expand their capabilities and make attacks on our networks and critical infrastructure harder to defend against,” said Chairman Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y.Government“While we may have our differences, I appreciate his dedication to the mission: securing government networks and the critical infrastructure ordinary Americans rely on every day.