Jen Easterly, the outgoing chief of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has expressed sadness at her departure from the role and concern for CISA’s future, with the prospect of further budget cuts on the cards.
Speculation about the agency’s future has grown following the departure of Easterly’s predecessor, who was fired by Trump following CISA’s refusal to question the integrity of the 2020 election.
In an interview, Easterly said CISA’s role is crucial to US national security and that its $3bn budget offers excellent value for money, advising that cyber defence is a never-ending task that requires constant vigilance.
She also highlighted the importance ofcollaboration in tackling foreign espionage operations, such as the recent Salt Typhoon attack by Beijing-linked hackers on US telecoms firms.
The interview also revealed that Easterly intends to pursue some of her personal passions on leaving the role, including musical performance, with a plan to start a bar and musical venue in New York City.