Hiring & Workforce — 2026-03-20
CISA Loses Cybersecurity Division Leader; Agency Operating at One-Third Staffing After Cuts
CISA's cybersecurity division acting associate director Shelly Hartsook resigned March 6, leaving the CDM program without its senior leader as the agency prepares for a reorganization that deprioritizes certain missions in favor of operational technology security. CISA has lost roughly one-third of its workforce since January 2025, with the cybersecurity division shrinking from 1,100 to approximately 850. The FY2026 budget proposes cutting the division further to 1,063 positions.
Analysis
CISA staffing has been tracked across multiple digests. The loss of the cybersecurity division leader—responsible for the CDM program protecting federal networks—comes as the Iran war increases cyber threat activity against US infrastructure.
CISA staffing has been tracked across multiple digests. The loss of the cybersecurity division leader—responsible for the CDM program protecting federal networks—comes as the Iran war increases cyber threat activity against US infrastructure.