Jen Easterly, Director of CISA, to step down January 2025

The Director of the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Jen Easterly, has announced that she plans to step down on January 20, 2025. The announcement coincides with President-elect Trump’s Inauguration Day when his new administration takes over. CISA confirmed that Deputy Director Nitin Natarajan and other agency political appointees from the Biden administration will also step down.

The news was first reported by NextGov and confirmed by the agency in an internal all-hands meeting. The Wall Street Journal reported that a CISA spokesperson stated, “CISA is fully committed to a seamless transition.”

Easterly progressed U.S. government and CISA with countless cybersecurity initatives

Easterly was the second-ever Director of CISA. She was nominated in April, 2021 and confirmed in July 2021. Under her leadership, she quickly was put to the test navigating large-scale cyber incidents such as the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in May 2021.

She spearheaded numerous cybersecurity campaigns and programs such as Secure by Design, #Protect2024 (for U.S. Presidential Elections), and issuing guidance for public and private industries on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum cryptography.

The agency also released numerous artificial intelligence security guidelines to hardening U.S. critical infrastructure.

Easterly graduated from West Point in 1990 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service in the United States Army. She was an integral part of the formation of the U.S. Cyber Command, headquartered at Fort Meade, Maryland.

She continued her government service in the National Security Agency before exiting public sector to serve as Morgan Stanley’s global head of cybersecurity.

Easterly was a role model for Women in Cybersecurity

Aside from her professional accomplishments, she was notable as a woman and veteran in role of significant influence, leading critical U.S. government cybersecurity efforts. Her impact, legacy and influence spread across countless organizations and professional groups serving as inspiration for women in STEM and cybersecurity.

Supporting girls in cybersecurity with the Girl Scouts of America

She contributed to important growth and development of young women in cybersecurity with the Girl Scouts of America to bridge the gender gap.

At the time of the announcement in March 2023, Easterly stated, “as we face an increasingly complex and dynamic cyber threat landscape, it is critical that we build a diverse and talented workforce that reflects the richness of our society.”

“Through this partnership, we hope to inspire the next generation of women leaders in cybersecurity and help ensure that our country is prepared to meet the challenges of the future,” she proclaimed.

Whatever the future holds for Jen Easterly, we’re sure it will have significant impact.