The Register: CISA worker says 100-strong Red Team fired after DOGE cancelled contract

Mar 12, 2025

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Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/12/cisa_staff_layoffs/
Source: The Register
Title: CISA worker says 100-strong Red Team fired after DOGE cancelled contract

Feedly Summary: Election infosec advisory agency also shuttered
A penetration tester who worked at the US govt’s CISA claims his 100-strong team was dismissed after Elon Musk’s Trump-blessed DOGE unit cancelled a contract – and that more staff at the cybersecurity agency have also been let go.…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text discusses significant cuts to federal cybersecurity operations in the U.S., specifically within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and related organizations following decisions made by DOGE, an advisory unit linked to Elon Musk. This move has implications for national cybersecurity capabilities, particularly in election infrastructure vulnerability.

Detailed Description: The text provides an overview of the recent layoffs in cybersecurity units affecting CISA due to the cancellation of contracts by DOGE. Key points include:

– **Massive Layoffs**: Christopher Chenoweth, a senior penetration tester at CISA, reported that his team of over 100 employees was laid off, alongside another red team. This suggests a significant reduction in cybersecurity personnel at a crucial government agency.

– **Impact on Cybersecurity**: With the shutdown of the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC) that provided vital cybersecurity support to election officials, there is widespread concern about the weakening of defenses against cyber threats targeting election security and public infrastructure.

– **Potential Risks**: The termination of funding for essential cybersecurity organizations like EI-ISAC and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) threatens the ability of state and local governments to effectively coordinate responses against cybersecurity threats, particularly from nation-state actors. This lack of support could lead to vulnerabilities across various sectors, including schools and emergency services.

– **Context of Changes**: The moves are tied to an administrational shift in priorities under the Trump administration, with financial cuts aimed at reducing federal spending in certain cybersecurity initiatives.

– **Expert Opinions**: Analysts highlight the critical role of collaboration and threat-sharing frameworks in maintaining cybersecurity readiness and the adverse effects that diminished resources could impose on local communities’ abilities to defend against cyberattacks.

The insights provided in this text are crucial for cybersecurity professionals and policymakers, as they underscore the evolving landscape of federal cybersecurity resources and the imperative need for maintaining robust support systems to mitigate emerging threats.

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