Nick Andersen Appointed Acting Director of CISA

"Andersen, who until now served as executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA, is replacing Madhu Gottumukkala, who joined the cybersecurity agency in May 2025 when he was named deputy director. Gottumukkala is leaving to become director of strategic implementation at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees CISA."

"His departure comes after reports that he failed a polygraph test and uploaded sensitive government information into a public version of ChatGPT. Andersen has experience in both the government and the private sector. He previously served as president and chief operating officer at the cyber and national security firm Invictus and as CISO at the public-sector arm of Lumen Technologies."

"CISA has not had a permanent director in the second Trump administration. Sean Plankey, who previously held key cyber roles at the Energy Department and the White House, has been nominated by the Trump administration to lead CISA. Plankey's nomination was blocked last year and the White House renominated him in January 2026."

Nick Andersen has been appointed acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), taking over from Madhu Gottumukkala. Gottumukkala, who joined CISA as deputy director in May 2025, is departing to become director of strategic implementation at the Department of Homeland Security. His departure follows reports that he failed a polygraph test and uploaded sensitive government information to a public version of ChatGPT. Andersen brings extensive experience from both government and private sectors, including roles at the Department of Energy, White House, Coast Guard, Navy, and as CISO at Lumen Technologies. CISA remains without a permanent director, with Sean Plankey nominated by the Trump administration to lead the agency.

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