Jen Easterly, who serves as director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), is set to step down, in anticipation of the new President-elect Donald J. Trump administration.
CISA is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, generally, works nationally to understand, manage and reduce the risks to online and physical infrastructure. Changes in administration — at both the state and federal levels — often lead to shifts in top-level leadership posts.
“All appointees of the Biden administration will vacate their positions by the time the new administration takes office at noon on January 20th. CISA is fully committed to a seamless transition,” Ron Eckstein, senior adviser for public affairs at CISA, said in a statement provided to Government Technology.
“Director Easterly has not announced her future plans or her departure date,” Eckstein added.
It’s not yet clear who will assume the senior leadership role at CISA. Kristi Noem, governor of South Dakota and close Trump ally, has been nominated to lead DHS. Both positions will require confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Easterly was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2021 and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, according to her official biography. She has served as special assistant to President Barack Obama for counterterrorism; and as executive assistant to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice. Easterly is a graduate of West Point and is retired from the U.S. Army.
