Ethical Hacking News
CISA worker claims 100-strong red team axed after Elon Musk's DOGE unit cancels contract, leaving employees without jobs and potentially compromising the security of entire counties. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize employee well-being and consider the long-term implications of their contracting decisions.
CISA terminated its contracts with Elon Musk's DOGE unit, resulting in the dismissal of over 100 red team members.The termination has raised concerns about the impact on employees who work in cybersecurity and potentially vulnerable counties.CISA confirmed that it had taken action to terminate contracts, but denied any disruption to penetration-testing teams.DOGE's actions have highlighted the complexities of government contracting and the potential consequences for those working in this field.The incident raises questions about the role of private companies like DOGE in advising government agencies on cybersecurity matters.
In a world where cybersecurity threats are ever-evolving and government agencies must navigate complex web of interests, the recent events surrounding the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have shed light on the intricacies of government contracts and their impact on employees. According to Iain Thomson's article published in The Register, CISA worker Christopher Chenoweth reported that his team of over 100 red team members was effectively dismissed after Elon Musk's DOGE unit cancelled a contract.
DOGE, or Dogecoin, is an advisory unit run by Tesla tycoon Elon Musk that goes around the US federal government pointing out staff, programs, and contracts for the White House to kill off. The company lists its canceled contracts on its "wall of receipts," which has been updated since March 5 but does not appear to include any obviously related to penetration testing.
Chenoweth, a former Marine who has worked in infosec for 20 years, reported that his team was terminated due to the cancellation of the contract. He wrote on LinkedIn that he and many other experienced red team operators are now seeking new opportunities. Chenoweth stated that he is now keen on "DOGE-resistant opportunities."
The termination of CISA's contracts with DOGE has raised concerns about the impact on employees who work in cybersecurity. According to Tim Harper, a senior policy analyst at the Center for Democracy and Technology, the loss of federal cybersecurity support could leave entire counties vulnerable to cyberattacks.
The Register asked the Center for Internet Security and CISA for comment, but neither agency provided any information at the time of publication. However, in a statement, CISA confirmed that it had taken action to terminate contracts. They also insisted that there are still some penetration-testing teams operating for the organization without interruption.
In light of this development, it is essential to consider the implications of government contracts on employees and the broader cybersecurity landscape. The recent events surrounding CISA's termination of contracts with DOGE highlight the complexities of government contracting and the potential consequences for those who work in this field.
The situation also raises questions about the role of private companies like DOGE in advising government agencies on cybersecurity matters. While DOGE's actions may be intended to save money, they have resulted in the dismissal of over 100 employees and potentially compromised the security of entire counties.
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize employee well-being and consider the long-term implications of their contracting decisions. The recent events surrounding CISA's termination of contracts with DOGE serve as a reminder that even seemingly small actions can have far-reaching consequences.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/CISAs-Cybersecurity-Tidings-A-Winding-Road-to-Uncertainty-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/03/12/cisa_staff_layoffs/
Published: Wed Mar 12 21:52:53 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
