CISA Approves 329 Critical Hires Despite Ongoing DHS Shutdown and 1,000 Vacancies

Acting CISA Director Nick Andersen announced March 25 that DHS headquarters approved a critical hire list of 329 mission-critical positions across the agency. The approval represents a reversal from last year's hiring freeze, during which more than 1,000 staff departed. CISA currently operates at roughly 38% capacity with two-thirds of its workforce furloughed under the DHS shutdown now in its 41st day. Andersen also re-implemented flexible work schedules including Maxiflex arrangements. However, during the shutdown CISA can only hire for excepted positions, limiting immediate impact.