DOGE Cuts CISA ‘Red Team’ Staff Amid Federal Budget Reductions: What It Means for Cybersecurity
In a surprising move, Elon Musk’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has executed significant layoffs at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This decision has affected over a hundred employees, including crucial members of the agency’s “red team.”
Overview of CISA Layoffs by DOGE
According to anonymous sources who spoke with TechCrunch, the layoffs occurred abruptly in late February and early March. Employees reported being terminated without prior notice as their network access was revoked instantly.
Significant Staff Reductions
- More than 80 employees involved in continuous monitoring were laid off.
- Between 30 and 50 staff members from the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) were also affected.
- Employees on the red team, responsible for simulating attacks to identify vulnerabilities, were among those terminated.
The spokesperson for CISA, Tess Hyre, refrained from commenting on the specific details of the layoffs, including the total number of affected employees. However, she assured that the agency’s red team remains operational and that CISA is currently reviewing all contracts to align with the new administration’s priorities.
Impact on Cybersecurity Operations
The layoffs at CISA are part of a broader trend of workforce reductions that have occurred since the beginning of the Trump administration. This round of layoffs is reportedly the third known instance of job cuts affecting CISA staff since January 20. In February, over 130 employees were let go, and in January, several staff members dedicated to election security were placed on leave.
The Future of CISA’s Security Initiatives
One affected employee expressed concerns about the future of government cybersecurity systems, stating, “As far as what will happen to those government systems, I have no knowledge.” This uncertainty raises questions about the effectiveness of ongoing security measures within federal networks.
Conclusion
As the former CISA employees seek new opportunities, some have humorously described their job hunt as looking for “DOGE-resistant gigs.” The abrupt nature of these layoffs has left many feeling unsettled, with one employee comparing the situation to a “ballistic missile with no guidance system.”
For those who have been impacted by the CISA layoffs, we invite you to reach out securely via email or contact Carly Page on Signal at +44 1536 853968.
To stay updated on developments in government cybersecurity, consider visiting our Cybersecurity Updates page or explore insights from credible sources like CISA’s official website.
