Published on: November 20, 2024
Jen Easterly, head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) is stepping down on Donald Trump’s inauguration day.
Easterly was first appointed in 2021 and oversaw CISA’s push to improve the nation’s cybersecurity defenses, including putting pressure on companies to improve defenses at the production level. This approach has been dubbed “secure by design,” by CISA.
Prior to her work with CISA, she served as the Deputy for Counterterrorism at the National Security Agency and worked as a special assistant to Obama for counterterrorism. She also served in the army and is a two-time recipient of the Bronze Star.
Her work in CISA raised the country’s cybersecurity standards and more than 250 companies have since adopted the secure by design approach. Multiple political appointees within CISA are stepping down alongside her, proving the administration’s commitment to a peaceful transition of power after a turbulent election.
Since CISA is a part of the Department of Homeland Security, changing administrations often leads to the new administration replacing many of its leaders with their own options. While many criticize this approach to national security, the department firmly believes in a peaceful transition of power.
Trump had plans to appoint Kristi Noel as the head of the Department of Homeland Security, which would place her in charge of CISA. Nobody has been officially picked to replace Easterly yet.
Multiple officials are questioning whether other departments can absorb CISA’s role, and various cybersecurity experts doubt Noel’s qualifications as head of the DHS, so some are questioning the agency’s future.
“All appointees of the Biden administration will vacate their positions by the time the new administration takes office at noon on Jan. 20. CISA is fully committed to a seamless transition,” Ron Eckstein, senior adviser for public affairs at CISA tells reporters with GovTech.
As of now, nobody is sure what her immediate plans are following her vacation.