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CISA Installs Nick Andersen as Acting Director After Gottumukkala Reassigned

The move follows months of scrutiny over CISA’s condition with the agency still lacking a Senate‑confirmed leader.

Overview

  • DHS reassigned acting administrator Madhu Gottumukkala to serve as director of strategic implementation.
  • CISA named Nick Andersen, previously its executive assistant director for cybersecurity, as the new acting director.
  • Media reports over the past year describe cuts, furloughs and staff departures, including CIO Robert Costello’s exit.
  • Separate reports allege operational and security lapses during Gottumukkala’s tenure, including uploads of sensitive documents to ChatGPT and a disputed polygraph outcome.
  • Sean Plankey has been re‑nominated to lead CISA on a permanent basis but has not received a Senate hearing.