CISA Acting Director Nick Andersen nears 210-day limit with no permanent nominee; efforts reportedly under way to extend his role
Nick Andersen, acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) since February 2026, is approaching the 210-day statutory limit on acting service, and no permanent nominee has been named. Sean Plankey withdrew his nomination in April, and in June DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said a likely replacement had met the president, but no nominee has emerged four months later. Sources told CyberScoop the administration is working to keep Andersen in place, possibly by retitling him "senior official performing the duties of" CISA director.
Bipartisan support for Andersen is broad: House Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino said he would gladly support a nomination, and ranking Democrat Bennie Thompson praised the stability he has brought. Mark Montgomery (FDD) said that naming a nominee would pause the clock but doubted the White House has an appetite to do so, given the president's past animosity toward the agency. Former DHS CIO John Zangardi said morale has improved under Andersen, despite deep budget and personnel cuts. CISA recently released a strategy intended to carry it through 2030.
Detalhes técnicos
This is a leadership and governance story with no technical threat component such as vulnerabilities, malware or intrusion activity.
Linha do tempo
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CISA Acting Director Nick Andersen nears 210-day limit with no permanent nominee; efforts reportedly under way to extend his role
ler a análise desta fonte ocultar
Nick Andersen, acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) since February 2026, is approaching the 210-day statutory limit on acting service, and no permanent nominee has been named. Sean Plankey withdrew his nomination in April, and in June DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said a likely replacement had met the president, but no nominee has emerged four months later. Sources told CyberScoop the administration is working to keep Andersen in place, possibly by retitling him "senior official performing the duties of" CISA director.
Bipartisan support for Andersen is broad: House Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino said he would gladly support a nomination, and ranking Democrat Bennie Thompson praised the stability he has brought. Mark Montgomery (FDD) said that naming a nominee would pause the clock but doubted the White House has an appetite to do so, given the president's past animosity toward the agency. Former DHS CIO John Zangardi said morale has improved under Andersen, despite deep budget and personnel cuts. CISA recently released a strategy intended to carry it through 2030.
Technical Details
This is a leadership and governance story with no technical threat component such as vulnerabilities, malware or intrusion activity.