Ethical Hacking News
CISA's red team has been disbanded due to a contract cancellation by DOGE, leaving over 100 personnel without jobs. The move has raised concerns about the impact on cybersecurity efforts nationwide and the need for continued investment in protecting national security.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has suffered a mass layoff of over 100 personnel due to a contract cancellation by the Department of General Electric (DOGE). The agency's entire red team was terminated, leaving cybersecurity efforts nationwide vulnerable to disruption. Experts warn that cutting funding to the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC) puts entire counties at risk of cyberattacks. The situation highlights the delicate balance between reducing costs and protecting sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
The recent news of a mass layoff of over 100 personnel from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community. According to Christopher Chenoweth, a senior penetration tester at CISA, the agency's entire red team was terminated due to a contract cancellation by the Department of General Electric (DOGE). This move is believed to have been orchestrated by Elon Musk, who has recently taken an interest in poking holes in various government agencies.
The impact of this layoff cannot be overstated. Chenoweth, who has over 20 years of experience in information security, has written extensively about the devastating effects of this move on the cybersecurity landscape. In a recent LinkedIn post, he detailed how DOGE's actions led to the closure of not only CISA's red team but also another critical unit within the agency.
DOGE's "Wall of Receipts" listing its cancelled contracts includes 86 deals axed at CISA's parent organization, the Department of Homeland Security. While Chenoweth expressed dismay over the sudden termination of his contract and that of many other experienced professionals working on cybersecurity projects, he acknowledged that he was fortunate to have found a new job opportunity.
The recent layoff has highlighted concerns about the Trump administration's desire to rein in various agencies responsible for protecting the nation from cyber threats. This move is perceived by many as an attempt to cut costs and reduce government spending. However, experts argue that such actions can have severe consequences, particularly when it comes to national security.
The Center for Internet Security (CIS) and CISA's role in providing real-time threat-sharing and response coordination has been critical in helping election offices safeguard their systems against cyber threats. The shutdown of the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), a key partner in this effort, is particularly alarming as many state and local election offices rely on it for federal cybersecurity support.
According to Tim Harper, a senior policy analyst at the separate Center for Democracy and Technology, cutting funding to EI-ISAC puts entire counties at risk. He warned that without coordination from government agencies like CISA, communities are left vulnerable to cyberattacks on schools, emergency services, and local governments.
While the exact reasons behind DOGE's actions remain unclear, experts suggest that this move could be part of a broader strategy aimed at disrupting the work of various government agencies responsible for safeguarding national security. The situation highlights the delicate balance between the need to reduce costs and protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
In light of these developments, it is essential to consider the long-term implications of such actions on cybersecurity efforts nationwide. As experts continue to grapple with the fallout from this layoff, one thing becomes clear: protecting national security in the digital age requires sustained investment and cooperation among government agencies, private sector organizations, and individuals.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/CISA-Red-Team-Mass-Layoffs-The-Fallout-from-DOGEs-Contract-Cancellation-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/03/12/cisa_staff_layoffs/
Published: Wed Mar 12 04:20:51 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
