Updated People

Trump to fire DHS Secretary Noem, selects Mullin as successor

The controversial Homeland Security leader will end her tenure amid a budget shutdown of her agency and following bipartisan criticism in both houses of Congress.

People

CISA appoints new acting cyber chief after recent leadership shakeups

Chris Butera is now serving as acting executive assistant director for CISA’s cybersecurity division, after its former occupant, Nick Andersen, stepped into the top leadership role at the cyber agency.

People

CISA acting director moved to new DHS role

Madhu Gottumukkala will be moved into a strategic implementation role in the Department of Homeland Security. Nick Andersen will take his place.

People

Wyden to block confirmation for NSA director, citing lack of experience

The senator, in part, took issue with Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd’s responses to questions regarding civil liberties and oversight against unlawful surveillance.

People

CISA CIO expected to leave agency after receiving transfer orders

Last month, the cyber agency’s acting director reportedly took steps to transfer Costello, but other political appointees blocked it.

People

DOJ elevates deputy CIO to top IT role

Nikki Collier had been serving as the acting CIO since Melinda Rogers left the role last year, according to the CIO Council’s website.

People

Federal CIO tapped for dual-hatted role at GSA

Greg Barbaccia will serve as the acting Technology Transformation Services director and senior advisor to the administrator at GSA, while its previous lead, Thomas Shedd, will remain with the agency in another role.

People

HHS IT leadership experiences additional shakeup

Six of the eight top officials in the department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer are now holding at least one role in an acting capacity.

People

OMB is hiring for a deputy federal chief information officer

“If you know how to run large systems, cut through noise, and turn strategy into execution across government scale, this is that job,” Federal CIO Gregory Barbaccia said about the search for his deputy.

People

CISA’s acting chief says 70 staff were reassigned to other DHS offices in last year

The cyberdefense agency in turn received some 30 employees from other DHS components, while a “handful” of CISA staffers were transferred to ICE, Madhu Gottumukkala told lawmakers.

People

Inside the federal CIO’s culture-first approach

Gregory Barbaccia told Nextgov/FCW that his priorities for the coming year are aimed at making change at scale in government IT.

Digital Government

Federal CIO says he’s zeroed in on government service delivery

That effort has new accountability levers and top-down support that can be helpful in driving change, CX leaders from the Office of Management and Budget said Friday.

People

Trump nominee to lead NSA commits to backing controversial spying law

Lt. Gen. Josh Rudd also promised to prioritize NSA efforts to protect U.S. elections.

Cybersecurity

CISA to cease participation at RSAC conference after Biden-era cyber leader named CEO

The decision, which has been in motion over the last week, highlights the Trump administration’s push to strictly control how current officials participate in industry events linked to former senior leaders now under White House scrutiny.

Cybersecurity

Democrats press CISA’s acting chief over major staffing cuts

Madhu Gottumukkala also faced questions about a reported failed polygraph exam and attempts to reassign the agency’s chief information officer.

People

Michael Lynch becomes GSA deputy administrator again

Lynch previously held the deputy administrator’s responsibilities from March to July 2025 under then-GSA acting administrator Stephen Ehikian.

People

Katie Arrington departs DOD to rejoin private sector

CMMC's standard bearer is joining quantum computing company IonQ as its chief information officer.

People

Rudd defends qualifications to lead NSA, Cyber Command at confirmation hearing

“For decades I have had the opportunity to be a leader, consumer, enabler, generator and integrator of the intelligence and operational capabilities of the NSA and Cyber Command,” INDOPACOM Deputy Commander Josh Rudd said.

People

Trump renominates Plankey to lead CISA

The cyberdefense agency has been without a permanent director for the past year.