CISA appoints new acting cyber chief after recent leadership shakeups

"As CISA's senior career cybersecurity official, he is responsible for leading the agency's mission to address the nation's most significant cyber threats and vulnerabilities and to increase the security and resilience of U.S. critical infrastructure."

"Butera has cycled through CISA technical and leadership roles over the past two years, often during transitions. He served as the Cybersecurity Division's senior technical director before becoming acting executive assistant director in June 2025, leading the agency's cyber mission until September, when Andersen was named to the permanent post."

"The new roles come as CISA has lost much of its workforce to a slew of efforts the Trump administration undertook in the last year to reduce purported government bloat and spending waste. Former officials and other observers have pushed back on some of those cuts."

Chris Butera has been appointed as the acting executive assistant director for CISA's cybersecurity division following recent leadership changes. Prior acting director Madhu Gottumukkala was reassigned within DHS after negative media coverage, while Nick Andersen assumed the permanent director role. Butera, CISA's senior career cybersecurity official, leads efforts addressing national cyber threats and critical infrastructure security. He has held multiple technical and leadership positions within CISA over two years. The appointment occurs amid significant workforce losses from Trump administration cost-reduction initiatives. Additional departures are expected, including Shelly Hartsook, the acting associate director in the cyber division.

Read at Nextgov.com