The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has experienced yet another leadership change as executive director Bridget Bean announced her retirement from federal service. Bean, who served in an acting capacity for five months, described her time at CISA as ‘truly remarkable’ in a LinkedIn post, highlighting her role as the de facto director during a turbulent transition period. The agency’s leadership page now lists Madhu Gottumukkala as its acting director, but it remains without a Senate-confirmed leader. President Trump’s nominee, Sean Plankey, is set for Senate consideration today, though his confirmation faces significant hurdles. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has pledged to block Plankey’s nomination until CISA releases an unclassified report on the security vulnerabilities of American telecommunications networks.
Bean’s departure has further compounded the leadership vacuum at CISA, which has already lost several senior officials. She joined CISA in 2018 and had previously served as the third-ranking official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where she oversaw operational integration. In her role as first chief integration officer, she was responsible for coordinating CISA’s regional staff to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure. Her retirement coincides with a broader trend of talent exodus from federal agencies, with over one-third of CISA’s staff reportedly leaving since the Trump administration took office. This attrition, combined with a recent buyout program for officials, has raised concerns about the agency’s ability to maintain its operational effectiveness and respond to emerging cybersecurity threats.